Dead Stars

Dead Stars

Title: Dead Stars

Author: Paz Marquez Benitez 

Author's Background: Paz Marquez Benitez (1894 - 1983) was a Filipina short-story writer. Born in 1894 in Lucena, Tayabas known as Quezon today. Marquez-Benitez authored the first FIlipino modern English language short story, Dead Stars, published in the Philippine Herald in 1925.

Vocabulary: 
  • Melancholy - a feel of pensive sadness.
  • Azotea - a flat roof or platform on the top of a house or other building.
  • Perfervid - intense and impassionated.
  • Tumultuous - making an uproar or loud, confused noise.
  • Avidly - with great interest or enthusiasm.
  • Ecstasy - an overwhelming feeling of great happiness.
  • Placidity - pleasantly calm or peaceful
  • Tienda - a store.
  • Glimmered - shine faintly with a wavering light.
  • Desultory - lacking a plan, purpose or enthusiasm.
  • Merienda - a light meal or snack.
  • Perversely - in a manner contrary to what is expected or accepted.
Characters:
  •  Alfredo Salazar - Son of Don Julian, a 30+ years old bachelor. 
  • Esperanza - Alfredo Salazar's Fiance.
  • Julia Salas - The sister-in-law of Judge Del Valle. 
  • Don Julian - Father of Alfredo and Carmen.
  • Carmen - Alfredo's sister. 
  • Judge Del Valle - Julia's brother-in-law.
  • Donna Adella - Julia's sister.
  • Calixta - Alfredo and Esperanza's note-carrier.
  • Dionisio - Donna Adella's husband.
  • Vicente - Carmen's husband.
Settings: Philippines

Exposition: The story starts with Alfredo remembering what happened 6 weeks ago. One evening, Alfredo had gone neighboring with Don Julian which is Alfredo's father to Judge Del Valle's house where he met Julia Salas, Judge Del Valle's sister-in-law.

Rising Action: Alfredo's love for Esperanza faded and now Alfredo is attracted to Julia, lying about going home after mass. Alfredo had been eager to go "neighboring".

Climax: Alfredo tried to seek love from Julia but Julia declines. Alfredo was a little bit confused in his upcoming wedding with Esperanza. He said "did you ever have to choose between something you wanted to do and something you had to do?" there he is confused. After that he had an argument with Esperanza. 

 Falling Action: After all that, Alfredo and Esperanza got married. Alfredo isn't unhappy with his married life. Like what it said in the the story, Alfredo "felt no rebellion: only the calm of capitulation to what he recognized as irresistible forces of circumstance and of character." 

 Ending: After eight years, Alfredo was sent to a village due to legal assignment. The village is named Sta. Cruz which is Julia's hometown. Alfredo went to Julia's house and they talked. Julia is still unmarried. He then realized that his feelings for Julia was gone. He felt "emotionless."

 Symbolism: The symbolism i saw in this story is the title itself. Dead Stars, it symbolizes dreams, desire, that you cant have. Just like Alfredo's love for Julia. Next one is Alfredo. I think Alfredo is a great example of us humans. We are sometimes confused of what we really feel, we sometimes is uncertain and we have flaws, everybody commits mistakes, no one is perfect. 

 Theme: The story Dead Star i think is all about love. But, forbidden love. 

 Lesson: The lesson in the story is that you should do what is right. Follow your heart. Just because you feel happy with someone else doesn't mean it's gonna be forever. Choose the right path. Not your desire. 

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