Explain the relationship between Minerva and Dede Mirabal in In the Time of the Butterflies.

If you look back carefully at Chapter Five of this amazing
novel, you can see that the animosity that exists between Dede and Minerva has its roots
in the conflict they have over a man. When Virgilio Morales first enters the lives of
the sisters, both Minerva and Dede are attracted to him. However, it is Minerva who
makes the first move and Dede is left with her cousin, who has already been making
overtures towards her. It is Dede's sense of jealousy and also her confusion about the
realities of living in a police state that cause conflict between her and Minerva.
However, what finally cements their animosity is when Virgilio is forced to leave the
country and he delivers a letter to Minerva asking her to flee the country with him.
Although Dede is entrusted with this letter, she burns it, convincing herself that she
is acting in her sister's best interest. A careful reading of the text, however, would
indicate otherwise:

readability="13">

The paper lit up. Ashes fluttered like moths,
and Dede ground them to dust on the floor. She had taken care of the problem, and that
was that. Looking up at the mirror, she was surprised by the wild look on her face. The
ring on her finger flashed a feverish reminder. She brushed her hair up into a tight
ponytail and put on her nightgown. Having blown out the light, she slept fitfully,
holding her pillow like a man in her
arms.

We can see by the "wild
look" in her face and the way she cuddles the pillow to her in her sleep that this is an
act borne out of jealousy. Not having the opportunity to be with Virgilio herself, she
cannot bear to let her sister have that opportunity.

Thus
the seeds of the conflict are sown, and throughout the rest of the novel Dede becomes
increasingly exasperated about Minerva's willingness to become involved in the rebel
movement.