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Transcript

The Butterfly Revolution

By: Diana Angeles

Themes

Symbolism

Butterfly: represents the innocent and the pure. Also the evolution of oneself, to either good or bad. The older boys were revolting against their innocence and wanted to nurture there wild and evil sides. They want to be treated as adults, yet when they get a chance it all goes to hell.

Good vs Evil: Winston and Egriss, along with other young campers are innocent and have a good nature. Frank and the revolutionists are the evil that take over the camp and are the ones responsible for the murders and abuse. After the events, Winston feels guilty for not seeing the revolution as more than a game. He and the others lose their innocence and child like thinking.

Power/Influence: Frank is able to take over the boys and girls camp. At first through persuasion and the promise of fun. He even gives the boys ranks, making them feel important. Later he results to violence and fear, when he begins to lose control.

Patriotism/Religion: written in the 1960's, The Butterfly Revolution has anti-communist undertones. Religion also plays a role, and boys on the "revolution committee" argue over freedom of religion. Winston himself is atheist and is confronted over the books he reads by Karl Marx (A communist) and Herodotus. He is further accused of being a commie, when he refuses to pass a law where the pledge of allegiance and national anthem are sung everyday at camp.

Racism: Don Egriss is bullied because of his color, and even has low expectations of himself. They accuse him of rape, and murder and although innocent he is lynched by a crowd of angry girls.

Major Quotes

" I feel that there is nothing that people cannot know, and therefore there is nothing that I cannot know."- Winston Weyn

"Butterflies are fairly innocent creatures and don't hurt anything... we shouldn't kill something simply for the fun of it" - Winston Weyn

" 'The butterflies are gone, kid. What did you expect?'"

- Don Egriss

" 'I don't want trouble Negroes got enough troubles as it is , and you have to be a Negro to know it' " - Don Egriss

"I used to have this happy feeling about books and about knowledge, that there was nothing I couldn't learn, but now there are so many things I don't understand...some problems people are supposed just to struggle with, just struggle with until the struggling itself works its way into some kind of answer. Just struggle." - Winston Weyn

Summer Camp Nightmare

Major Characters

1987 Movie adaptation of "The Butterfly Revolution"

Winston "Winnie" Weyn- The narrator of the book; 13 y.o ; Winnie is an intelligent, book loving boy. He is often ridiculed by his father, brother and classmates because of his love of books. At the camp he will be elected a cabin leader and throughout the revolution will climb the ranks. He is blinded by his innocence and optimism, and is easily manipulated my Frank. He, like a butterfly, will undergo a character transformation.

Frank Reilley- he is a 17 year old camper. He also seems to like to read, unlike many campers and bonds with Winston over that. He is the leader of the revolution and like many dictators has the ability persuade the public and maintains power for a long time, but then begins to crack and become "crazy"

Don Egriss- an innocent victim to the revolution, he will be lynched. Don was a 17 year old African American. He can be characterized as friendly and introverted. He does not believe in the revolution and wants to have no connection to it. He will be one of Winston friends and his death will infuriate Winston, and he will want revenge and seek the death of Frank.

Summary

Author

The Butterfly revolution takes place at High Pines, an all boy summer camp. It is narrated by Winston, an intelligent 13 year old. The camp has boys of all ages from 8-17. The camp has scheduled games like capture the flag or a butterfly hunt, all games which are for "little kids". The older boys at camp find the games too childish and want to have more fun, more freedom. The leader of the bigger boys, Frank, begins talk of a revolution. He wants to revolt against the chains of childhood. They manage to take control and incarcerate all the counselors and directors. They manage to take over the Girls camp as well, Low Pines. Abuse, murder and rape begin to take place. These events in the eyes of Winston are all just a game, but to the readers the underlying themes of evil and power are deafening.

William Butler

(1929- )

Butler is an American Author who may also be known for "Spying at the fountain of Youth" and "Man in a Net"

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