Dead Stars

By Paz Marquez Benitez

I. Authorship
Paz Marquez Benitez was born in Lucena City, Quezon on March 3,1894. She
authored the first Filipino modern English-language short story "Dead Stars",
published in the Philippine Herald in 1925. She was among the first
generation of Filipinos trained in the American Education System which used
English as the medium of instruction. She graduated high school in Tayabas
High School and college from the University of the Philippines with the
degree of Bachelor of arts in 1912;and later become a teacher who taught
short story writing at UP from 1916 to 1951. She died on 1983.

II. Characters/ Characterization:

Esperanza-Wife of Alfredo Salazar,( his fiancée of four years), the embodiment of
the ideal wife to the ideal man
Carmen-Sister of Alfredo Salazar
Alfredo Salazar-Don Julian's son, engaged to Esperanza
Julia Salas - Alfredo Salazar met while “neighboring”, Sister-in-law of Judge Del
Valle, another girl of Alfredo Salazar
Judge Del Valle-Brother-in-law of Julia Salas
Donna Adella-Sister of Julia Salas
Dionisio - Husband of Donna Adella
Vicente-Husband of Carmen
Brigida Samuy-Woman whose Alfredo is looking for
Calixta-Note-carrier of Alfredo Salazar and Esperanza
Don Julian-Father of Alfredo Salazar and Carmen

III. Synopsis:
Dead Stars is a love story. It is told from the perspective of Alfredo Salazar who is
in personal conflict with his feelings. Alfredo is supposed to marry Esperanza, but
then he meets Julia and falls for her, so he starts to question if Esperanza was
actually right for her. The start of their relationship was relatively “warm”, with
Alfredo wooing Esperanza like a man in dire lovesickness. But as the years
went by, the warm love’s fire slowly flickered. Everyone takes it for granted
that Alfredo will eventually marry Esperanza. But although he is ashamed to
admit it, the intensity of his passion for Esperanza has faded and he is attracted
to Julia, whom he meets at a dinner party. But he is aware that all his loved ones-
including Julia would disapprove of his failure to honor his understanding w/
Esperanza. So he and Esperanza get married and have a family. Then, eight years
 later, he goes on a business trip to the town where Julia, still unmarried, lives. He
goes to visit Julia, whom he has never forgotten. But he is surprised to find that
he no longer feels attracted to her. He compares the memory of his love for her to
dead stars, whose glow is still visible from the earth for years after they are gone

IV. Critical Literary Analysis: Alfredo risks his four-year relationship with
Esperanza because of a growing fascination with Julia Salas. He talks to her when he
visits her brother-in-law, and though he confides in her, he never admits that he is
engaged. They share little more than conversation, but Alfredo feels guilty for hiding
his interest in her from his fiancé.

When Alfredo learns that Julia plans to return to her homeland, he becomes
despondent. He approaches her at church, but before he suggests that she stay, Julia
congratulates him on his upcoming wedding and promises to attend. Alfredo returns
home and hears Esperanza talking to a friend about infidelity and immorality. Later,
she tells him that she knows about his feelings for Julia and dares him to end their
relationship.

Years after he and Esperanza marry, Alfredo is stationed in a town near where Julia
lives. Despite his mostly happy marriage, he goes to the place where Julia lives.
When he sees her, he wonders what their life would be like had they run off
together. However, the longer he watches her, the less appealing she seems, until he
finally wonders what he ever saw in her and if she ever loved him. He realizes that
there is no point in wondering what if.

V. Theme: The short story “Dead Stars” by Paz Marquez Benitez is conveying the
theme that pertains to forbidden love. It says that forbidden love is only apparent, and its
banes haunt the person until such time that he realizes his faults.

VI.

VII. Plot: The plot of the story "Dead Stars" revolves around the romantic relationships
between the three main characters: Alfredo, Esperanza and Julia. The beginning of the
story is dominated by the engagement between Alfredo and Esperanza. The rising
action of the plot is Alfredo's inability to commit to marrying Esperanza as he constantly
wrestles with his doubt over where his true feelings lie.

a. Message/ implication: The story is all about a dream that would wish come
true ,but in reality we must have to follow our heart to choose the right
person for us and not just to depend in just a one symbol. Because we are the
 one who made our destiny and not by just a dream or guess. to follow our
heart is a great effort that we can give to the person we love.
b. To whom are the message directed, and what should be done in real life:
The message is directed to people who want to love and to be loved.

Reviewed by:
Simon B. Rodriguez Jr.