Butterfly Boy: Memories of a Chicano Mariposa

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of domestic violence, sexual assault, drug and alcohol abuse, eating disorders, and anti-gay bias.

Rigoberto focuses on his relationship and breakup with his “lover,” who goes unnamed throughout the book. The relationship is highly volatile, violent, and abusive. Rigoberto begins by describing how his lover gives him hickeys all over his body that they call “butterflies” when they have sex. Rigoberto notes that he is often waiting for his lover to come home or return his calls and that the watch he received from his lover as a gift is pretty but feels like a “handcuff as well” (4). Over time, the “butterflies” turn into more violent acts during sex, such as punching and hitting.

Rigoberto resolves to break up with his lover, and he describes the scene during which he leaves. First, they talk about how Rigoberto is going to go to México, possibly for the whole summer. Rigoberto reflects on the explosive argument, and sex, that they had the night before. He describes how much he still desires his lover’s body, especially his arms. Finally, Rigoberto walks out the front door and, despite his expectations, his lover does not protest or call.