CHILDREN OF FATIMA SCHOOL, INC.

Senior High School

Name: Gonzales, Ashynte N. Section: 12 – Pacioli

Lesson 5: Reflect on Goodbyes and Letting Go

Activity 3
Direction: Read the story “Dead Stars” by Paz Marques Benitez. After reading the story,
answer the following questions.

1. What can you say about the story?

 The story is really interesting because I really didn’t expect that it will be about
cheating because at first, I had trouble understanding the story. But all in all, it’s really
interesting and I somehow learned from it.

2. Who are the characters in the story? Give their roles and characteristics
 Alfredo – Fiancé/Husband of Esperanza. A lawyer and a cheater.
Esperanza – Fiancée/Wife of Alfredo. Efficient, literal-minded, and a fortunate woman
who have the gift of uniformly acceptable appearance
Julia Salas – sister-in-law of Judge Del Valle, not so pretty but she had the charms.
Alfredo had an affair with her.
Don Julian – father of Alfredo
Camren – sister of Alfredo
Judge Del Valle – brother-in-law of Julia Salas
Dona Adela – sister of Julia Salas. Small and plump, with wide brown eyes, clearly
defined eyebrows, a pretty woman with the complexion of a baby.
Dionisio – Dona Adela’s husband, most absentminded of men, sometimes going out
without his collar, or with unmatched socks.
Calixta – a friend of Esperanza’s family and a note-carrier.

3. Where is the setting of the story?

 Don Julian’s House
Judge Del Valle’s House
Church
Calle Luz

4. What is the rising action of the story?

 When Alfredo found Esperanza on the sofa talking about her friend, Calixta about
loyalty and they got a heated argument.

5. What is the climax of the story?

 That led Esperanza to admit to Alfredo that she knew about the affair of Alfredo and
Julia.
And said to Alfredo that never in her mind crossed to find another man. And, she left
Alfredo there, shamed.

6. What is the falling action of the story?

 When Alfredo and Julia met again after 8 years because of Alfredo’s work and there,
he realized that it’s not the same anymore.

7. What is the resolution of the story?

21ST CENTURY FROM THE REGIONS & THE WORLD 1

 CHILDREN OF FATIMA SCHOOL, INC.
Senior High School
 When Alfredo questioned himself if he truly loves Julia or it’s just infatuation, then he
realizes that his feeling for Julia is already gone and he compared his experience or
love for Julia to a Dead Star.

8. What is the theme of the story?

 The theme of the story is, love and infatuation. This story, Dead Stars, emphasize the
difference of love and infatuation. Because in this story, Alfredo is in love with
Esperanza and married her but he also thought that he fell in love with Julia but soon
realized that he’s just infatuated by her.

9. If you were Esperanza, will you continue your wedding after knowing what Alfredo did?
 No because he already cheated when we’re just engaged and how much more if
we’re already married? He could’ve done worse. That’s why I won’t continue the
wedding because my trust and heart is already broken by what he did.

10. When did Julia and Alfredo learn about the engagement of Alfredo and Esperanza?
 When Alfredo goes to meet Julia after mass then Julia congratulated Alfredo to his
approaching wedding and said she’s slow on getting the news because she’s a visitor
there. Alfredo even invited Julia to his wedding.

11. What does it mean when Carmen asked "When will the long table be set?"
 Since they are talking about Alfredo and Esperanza, I think, it means, when will the
long wait will be over or “When will the wedding happen?”

12. In your own opinion, why the story titled “Dead Stars”?
 In my own opinion, the reason why the story was intitled Dead Stars, because Alfredo
thought that the love that he felt for Julia was true, but upon marrying and having a life
with Esperanza, he realizes that the true love that he thought, has faded just like a
dead star in the sky. He can still see it but can't feel it anymore.

13. What did Alfredo when he saw Julia after many years? What do you think Alfredo’s
biggest mistake? Explain and justify your answer.
 After he saw Julia again, he realized that his feeling for her is already gone. Alfredo’s
biggest mistake is that he fell in love to Julia easily and become a careless man that
kept in touch with Julia by ‘neighboring’ despite him knowing that he has a fiancée
and he has a responsibility to Esperanza in the present and future but instead, he
focused on Julia and led him to hurt Esperanza because she knows his affair.

14. In "Dead Stars", the conflict revolves around Alfredo Salazar's struggle with himself. How
difficult do you think is his situation? If you were in his situation, what would you have
done?
 I think the conflict of the story around Alfredo was really difficult to face since he’s
battling to his self about choosing between something he wanted to do and something
he had to do. Also, he had been really confused about his feelings to the two women
in his life. If I were him, I will critically evaluate myself and my feelings before I will
make decisions, especially if someone special to me will be involve or suffer with this
confusion. Also, I will not let myself fall for anybody if I know I already have special
someone and remain faithful to my special someone.

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