DEAD STARS

by Paz Marquez Benitez

A Short Story Review

Introduction

DEAD STARS is a 1925 short story that gave birth to modern Philippine

writing in English. written by Paz Marquez Benitez. The story is mainly about

three people Esperanza, Alfredo Salazar and Julia Salas. The three main

characters of the narrative appeard to be trapped in a fate of their own. I like the

story it has full of emotion the feelings you will feel after you read this short story.

Summary

This story is revolves around Alfredo Salazar and two women. Esperanza,

his fiancée for four years and a young girl from out of town named Julia Salas.

Alfredo Salazar is about to get married to Esperanza. But he got a second

thought when he meet Julia Salas and started to developed feelings for her. He

is also aware that all his loved-ones including Julia would not agree if he would

not honor his understanding with Esperanza. Alfredo finally decided to marry

Esperanza and have a family. But despite of being married, be still want to know

what could have had happened if Julia were his wife. After 8 long years, Alfredo

went on a business trip to the town where Julia lives. Alfredo become excited and
hopeful that Julia still feels the same way he does, The truth remains that after

long years he has never forgotten Julia.

Setting

 Judge Del Valle’s House

 Don Julian’s House

 Calle Real

 Sta. Cruz

Main Characters

 Alfredo Salazar- son of Don Julian a more than 30 years old man and a

bachelor. He is engaged to Esperanza but him still fleeting to Julia Salas.

 Esperanza- wife of Alfredo Salazar. She is a homely woman, literal

minded and intensely acquisitive. She is one of those fortunate women

who have to gift of uniformly beauty.

 Julia Salas- sister-in-law of Judge Del Valle. She is the other girl of

Alfredo Salazar that remains single in her life.

Personal Reflection

One of the things that I liked about the story was the fact that Alfredo’s love

was compared to a DEAD STAR, even when long gone he still believed that it

still existed. This can be compared to the usual issues of illegal recruitment that

tricks us Filipino’s especially OFWs.

Critical Analysis

 What is the author’s purpose for writing the story? Is the author successful in

achieving this purpose?

In my opinion the author wrote this story to tell us that there will be

temporary people who shall enter our lives and leave with permanent lessons.

 What is the setting of the story? Is it appropriate to the genre?

The setting is situated in a province that suits the character’s

background.

 How well are the characters developed? Do they think, feel, speak, and act in

a believable way?

The characters are well developed in a way that the readers wonder if it

happens in real life.

 How well is the plot structured? Is the action suspenseful enough? Are the

events too predictable?

The plot is well structured that every part is a huge turning point in the

story.

 What is the theme or the central idea of the story?

The theme in this story is about forbidden love and the painful

consequence.

 Does the story have a “coda,” or a lesson? What is it?

The lesson about this story is we need to be responsible to our decision

to make “making a decision takes a moment, living a decision takes a life

time”.

 Does the story have a “twist” or an unexpected ending?

The twist is the feeling of Alfredo when he saw Julia after a long time,

thinking that he still loves her.

 Does the author use any literary devices, such as metaphor, simile, or

alliteration?

The story uses simile when comparing love to a dead star.

Conclusion

The story all in all is a roller coaster ride that has an interesting twist that

becomes a turning point in the lives of the characters’ lives. With these

characteristics, other readers may experience a unique story that may entertain

them.

Prepared by:

JAMES PAULO ROJAS

Grade 9-Cobalt