Chapters 1-3 Summary

"Before We Were Free" by Julia Alvarez tells the story of a young girl named Anita. She lives during a period of political unrest. Her father and uncle are involved in a plot to assassinate the dictator.

In Chapter 1, it is almost Thanksgiving, and the class is preparing to put on a Thanksgiving play. They attends school in the Dominican Republic, but it's an American school so they celebrate American holidays. It's hot outside, and it doesn't feel like Thanksgiving to the Americans. The main character in the book (Anita) is sitting next to her cousin, Carla. They are going to be Indians in the play.

The principal of the school comes into the classroom with Carla's mother. The mother looks very nervous. They talk with the teacher then step out of the room to talk in the hallway. This makes...