Van Angel Marie R.

Garcia
BSED-English II

Activity:

1. Write down difficult words you can find in the story and provide its definition.

• Melancholy- sadness that lasts for a long period of time, often without any obvious reason.
• Good-natured- having or showing a pleasant, kindly disposition
• Dappled- covered with spots of color that are lighter or darker than the main color.
• Perfervid- full of an intense, deep emotion.
• Monotonies- a situation in which something stays the same and is therefore boring.
• Tumultuous- characterized by loud, confused noise.
• Haste- urgent need of quick action; a hurry of rush.
• Deluded- believing something that is not true.
• Relish- enjoyment of or delight in something that satisfies one’s tastes, inclinations, or
desires.
• Recalcitrant- resisting authority or control; not obedient or compliant.
- hard to deal with, manage, or operate.
• Betokened- to mean something or be a sign of something.
• Exuberant- filled with or characterized by a lively energy and excitement.
• Fastidious- very attentive to or concerned about accuracy and detail.
• Austere- severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance.
- having no comforts or luxuries.
-having an extremely plain and simple style or appearance.
• Desultory- without a clear plan or purpose and showing little effort or interest.
• Hammock- a type of bed used especially outside, consisting of a net or long piece of strong
cloth that you tie between two trees or poles so that it swings.
• Regenerative- relating to the improvement of a place or system, especially by making it
more active or successful, or to making a person feel happier and more positive.
• Imperiously- in an unpleasantly proud way and expecting to be obeyed.
• Poignantly- in a way that has a strong effect on your feelings, especially when it makes
you feel sad.
• Trodden- to set down the foot in walking; to step or walk, especially so as to press or injure
something; to treat harshly or oppress.
• Sauntered- walk in a slow, relaxed manner, without hurry or effort.
• Convoyed- to accompany or escort, usually for protection.
• Piquant- having a pleasantly sharp taste or appetizing flavor.
-pleasantly stimulating or exciting to the mind.
• Sauce- diligent and hard-working.
• Perspiring- to perspire is to sweat: to excrete perspiration through the pores in your skin.
• Placid- calm and does not easily become excited, angry, or upset.
• Cessation- the fact or process of ending or being brought to an end.
• Encumbrances- something that makes it difficult for you to do something.
- a mortgage or other charge on property or assets.
• Indolent- without real interest or effort; lazy.
• Insistent- Someone who keeps insisting that a particular thing should be done or is the case.
• Gaily- in a cheerful or lighthearted way.
- without thinking of the consequences.
- with a bright or cheerful appearance.
• Circuitous- means indirect or roundabout.
• Acquisitive- tending or seeking to acquire and own, often greedily; eager to get wealth,
possessions, etc.
• Convexity- the quality of something being round or curved in shape is its convexity.
• Orthodoxy- following generally accepted beliefs or standards.
• Retorted- to answer back; reply angrily or sharply.
- to reply to an argument with an opposing argument. retort.
• Goaded- provoke or annoy (someone) so as to stimulate some action or reaction.
 • Diffidently- in a way that shows lack of confidence in one's own ability, worth, or fitness.
• Unnerved- make (someone) lose courage or confidence.
• Elusive- difficult to find, catch, or achieve; difficult to remember or recall.
• Prosaicalness- being dull, ordinary, or uninteresting
• Capituation- the action of surrendering or ceasing to resist an opponent or demand.
• Encroached- to take control or possession of something in a gradual way and often without
being noticed.
• Baffled- confused or perplexed.
• Belfry- a bell tower.
• Sinuous- having many curves, bends, or turns; winding
• Cadences- the ending of a phrase, perceived as a rhythmic or melodic articulation or a
harmonic change or all of these.
• Lugubriously- in a sad and serious way.
• Somnolent- almost sleeping, or causing sleep.
• Filigrees- is ornamental work especially of fine wire of gold, silver, or copper applied
chiefly to gold and silver surfaces.
• Obstinately- (often disapproving) in a way that shows that you refuse to change your
opinions, way of behaving, etc.

2. Who are the characters of the story?

Alfredo Salazar- he is in his 30’s and he is the protagonist of the story. He faced a dilemma when
he began having feelings for Julia even though he was engaged to Esperanza.
Julia Salas- the sister-in-law or Judge Del Valle. A not so pretty girl but has her own charm that
caught Alfredo’s attention and heart.
Esperanza- the fiancé of Alfredo She is portrayed as a woman who always looks consistently good
and dresses stylishly. She is also a homely and literal-minded woman, but she is eagerly
materialistic.
Don Julian- the father of Alfredo and Carmen.
Carmen- Alfredo’s sister.
Judge Del Valle- Julia Salas’ brother-in-law.
Donna Adella- the sister of Julia Salas. She is petite and has a young complexion like a baby.
3. What is the story all about? (Summary)
The story talks about the difficult situations that everyone faces in life. Alfredo, who is a lawyer
and the main character, had a tough decision to make. He had to choose between doing what was
considered right and following his heart.
Alfredo and Esperanza are in love. They've been together for four years and were planning to get
married in May. At the start of their relationship, they were very happy and deeply in love, full of
excitement and joy.
But just like any other relationship, their feelings for each other slowly change over the years.
Their relationship was not the same as before. Esperanza was a beautiful and elegant woman who
always stood out from the crowd. She’s been faithful to Alfredo, whom she loves dearly. She didn’t
question Alfredo’s loyalty because she trusted him at first. After four years of being engaged,
Alfredo sought to find his real desires.
One evening, when Alfredo went with his father, Don Julian, to Judge Del Valle’s house, he met
a girl named Julia. She mistook Julia for Judge Del Valle’s sister but later learned that it was his
sister-in-law. Julia is not evidently pretty, but she has her own unique charm and wit. She was also
enthusiastic and had a warm personality. After their first chat on the vine-covered porch, that is
when they started getting close, and eventually Alfredo started falling for her. Soon after that,
Alfredo found an excuse, and that was to visit Judge Del Valle’s house with his father just to see
Julia Salas.
After some months, Don Julian invited the judge and his family, including Julia, to their coconut
plantation near their beach. During the intimate conversation between the two, Julia said that she
would now return to her hometown. When Alfredo heard this, he was hurt and felt more confused
than ever. He was thinking about choosing Julia over his fiancé, Esperanza, but soon realized that
he must consider what the people might say. So now he is torn between what his heart wants and
what is the right thing to do.
When the two met again, Julia knew that Alfredo was getting married and congratulated him.
Alfredo noticed that Julia’s treatment of him was different than before. She seems more detached
andcold. Nevertheless, he still invited her and wished her to come to his wedding. After Julia
accepted his invitation, she cut off their conversation and quickly said her final goodbye to Alfredo.
Esperanza also confesses to Alfredo that same day that she is not blind and that Alfredo is having
a secret affair. She urged him to call off their wedding, but still, the wedding proceeded as planned.
After eight years of marriage with Esperanza, Julia still didn’t leave Alfredo’s mind. He still thinks
about their memories from time to time and "what could’ve been."
His what-ifs were answered when he went to Julia’s place for a business trip. There she met the
woman who'd been on his mind for years. After many long years, they finally had a chance to talk.
But while they were talking, Alfredo felt something had changed. It’s as if something was lost
until he figured out that his feelings for Julia have now faded away. He is now content with his
life, and the unspoken feelings that he thought he still had for Julia were like the "light of dead
stars, long extinguished, yet seemingly still in their appointed places in the heavens."

4. Who is the author? How does she relate to the literary piece?
This famous story was written by Paz Marquez Benitez, a well-known short-story writer, teacher,
and editor. Like any normal person, I think the author wrote this because she could relate with the
main character's life. We all, no matter who we are, go through times where we have to choose
between what we truly want and what others expect from us. Many times, we end up choosing
what others want, even if it doesn't make us happy.
The author also wants us to realize that a person's wishes, feelings, and attitudes can change over
time. Just like Alfredo in the story, who initially really wanted to be with Julia but as years passed,
that feeling faded. His love for her wasn't as strong as he once thought. We can all relate to this.
Our dreams and wishes change from what they used to be. Sometimes, it takes a while to realize
that we've moved on from certain things, and the best thing to do is to accept these changes.

5. When it was made and how will you relate it to what was happening during the time? Why
does it belong to such an era?
This story was written in 1925 by Paz Marquez Benitez, a well-known Filipino writer. This is also
the period when the Americans colonized the Philippines, bringing with them the English language
into the country. That is why this masterpiece was written in English. Benitez was one of those
Filipino women who started writing literary pieces using English as the medium of expression,
reflecting the linguistic influence of the American colonial period. Hence, this story became
famous because, aside from its emotionally provoking storyline, it also gave birth to modern
English writing in the Philippines.
The story depicts the language, traditions, values, and attitudes of the people at that time. One of
the aspects highlighted in the narrative is the societal expectation of marriage. In the story, Carmen
and Don Julian discussed why Alfredo still didn’t pursue marriage considering that he is now in
his 30s. This shows us that the people in this era set a standard on what age a person should get
married and the pressure that this societal expectation brings to individuals. Because people would
feel that they should conform to these standards.
Another important aspect that this story emphasizes is the courtship rituals and fidelity at that time.
There was a part of the story where it was mentioned how Alfredo courted Esperanza when he was
still so in love with her. And as he started falling for Julia Salas, he still chose to marry Esperanza
because she is her fiancé, so he must choose his commitment over what he feels. Through this, the
readers are able to understand how marriage, fidelity, and courtship were viewed during the early
twentieth century. It allowed us to compare the past with today and see how our culture has
changed over the years.
Therefore, "Dead Stars" fits into the early 20th century in the Philippines because it reflects how
people lived, behaved, and thought during that time. It shows how the country was affected by
foreign rule, how dating was done, and what was considered normal and important back then.

6. How is that literary piece significant nowadays?

This story remains significant today for several reasons. First, it gave us a glimpse of the culture
and values of Filipino people back then, allowing us to compare them to today’s norms and
traditions. It provided us with an understanding of how Philippine traditions and values evolved
over time due to colonization and the advancement of technology. The story also explores timeless
themes like love, regrets, and societal expectations. That is why readers in the present day can still
relate to the story because all of us have faced situations like Alfredo and the other characters did.
And most importantly, this explores the complexities of human emotions and the dynamics of a
relationship. We can see this in the character of Alfredo and how he handled his personal dilemma.
The story was beautifully crafted, illustrating how complex human emotions and minds can be.
That even the person himself can’t even figure out what he truly feels or what is really the best
thing to do.
Basically, "Dead Stars" still matters today because it helps us look back, enjoy its good writing,
and relate to the feelings and stories of the characters.

7. How can you relate the literary piece to your life?

Personally, this story became close to my heart because I can strongly relate to Alfredo. After his
8 years of marriage, memories of him and Julia continued to haunt him day by day. He believed
he still loved Julia, but when they met again, he understood that he had already moved on. I went
through a similar situation. I had deep feelings for someone, but it was one-sided. Despite knowing
it would cause me pain, I decided to end our friendship and cut ties. However, even after years had
passed, I struggled to forget our memories. The idea of "What if I had confessed my true feelings
to this person?" haunted me. These "what ifs" persisted until I coincidentally met him again,
providing the closure I needed. Slowly, I realized that I didn't feel anything for this person
anymore. The thought of him only kept him alive in my mind. This story taught me that it's okay
not to have everything figured out, including your own feelings. Someday, things will make sense,
and you'll realize that people come into your life to teach you and give you experiences that help
you become a better person and make better choices.