Critique Paper

in Dead Stars
by Paz-Marquez
Benitez
Submitted by:
Gonzales, Paige I.
Code: B 1

Submitted To:
Ms. Ruthiel Charisse P. Dacpano
English 10 Teacher
A. Introduction
 Title of the Story: Dead Stars
 Name of the Author: Paz-Marquez Benitez
 Background or Awards of the Author:
Paz Marquez-Benitez from Lucena, Quezon, who authored
the first Filipino modern English language short story
“Dead Stars” in 1925. She graduated and taught at UP and
is one of the most prominent Filipino women writers to PH
Literature in English.

B. Summary/ Synopsis
The story of the short story Dead Stars revolves around a man,
Alfredo Salazar. He believes in true love and optimism to
discover ecstasy in its stir. Esperanza is the first woman he falls
in love with, but in the latter part he met Julia Salas.
The families of both of them are acquainted with each other and
hence they start a loving relationship. Both get engaged after
three years of their relationship. Alfredo is a lawyer who has
strong desires and wants warmth and compassion; however,
Esperanza is an impassionate woman having strong will and
principles. Alfredo’s love for her soon fades away when he
meets Julia.
Julia Salas is sister-in-law of the Judge, who is a friend of
Alfredo’s father. Julia is an optimistic and enthusiastic person
having her own dreams and desires.
When Alfredo comes across her, he is strongly attracted to her.
On his visit to her with his father, he engages himself in
conversation with her and is attracted to her charm. Even he is
so passionate that he doesn’t disclose his engagement to
Esperanza.
So as to avoid the discovery of his fiancée, he keeps secrets
from Esperanza too. His eyes are doomed when he learns about
Julia’s return to his native town. With the fear of losing her,
Alfredo decides to declare his true feeling for Julia.
When the Church’s function ends, Alfredo goes to meet her,
though his fiancé is waiting for him. When he reaches there, he
learns that Julia has already known about his engagement to
Esperanza. She wishes him for his marriage and leaves him.
On his return home, he gets a double blow. He finds Esperanza
talking to her friend about loyalty and faithfulness. Alfredo
senses a desire to communicate. He supports the reason for
craving and choice over dishonesty.
Esperanza soon confesses that she knew about his affair with
Julia. In pursuit of his lust and heart’s content, she encourages
him to cancel the wedding. However, the wedding goes ahead as
scheduled and Alfredo surrenders to reason.
Near Julia’s native town, Alfredo, after eight years, is sent to
some work duty. On his visit, he feels nostalgic and cannot resist
his lust for Julia and soon finds an excuse to meet her.
Julia is still single that forces Alfredo to dream about starting a
new life with her; however, he soon realizes that everything is
not the same as it were before. Moreover, Julia has also changed
lost something.
Source: LitPriest.com

C. Critical Analysis
 Choose 1-2 applicable literary lens in interpreting the story.
 Moralist Approach
Dead Stars by Paz Marquez Benitez is a story about a
cheating. It emphasizes how men fall into temptation and
abandon years of commitment to their significant others for
pleasure and list for another woman that they have just met.
It is sad, really. So many relationships, marriages and years
are wasted and broken because of this. Some men just
cannot get enough. They find another woman or mistress,
meaning another world, another adventure and a new kind
of experience. The legal woman has to find ways and be a
fool to make the man stay. Is it not frustrating and sad?
This has been a problem for centuries and this 20 th century
poem proves that cheating is rampant in any era, place and
culture.

 Feminist Literary Approach

In the story traditional gender roles were displayed.
Esperanza is the typical woman, waiting for the decision of
his man. She’s like just sitting there waiting for Alfredo
and has no idea her man is eyeing another woman. It was
stated in the story that maybe that is why he doesn’t seem
 in a hurry because the man himself seems like he is not into
marrying her. That is just so sad. Women those days were
really dependent. Alfredo on the other hand, displays
weakness, weakness that should not be shown as a man.

D. Conclusion
 Why is the story entitled such?
The story is entitled such because just like a dead star
which slowly lose its light and die, Alfredo’s feelings to
Julia eventually ends.

 What insights or personal realizations have you gained after

reading the story?
People should really stop cheating as it has a lot of
consequence not just in a relationship but for both persons
as well. One may experience traumas regarding this and
might be afraid to trust someone new.