Main Characters:

In Dead Stars, the main characters are Alfredo Salazar, Esperanza, and Julia Salas. Alfredo is a lawyer who is
engaged to Esperanza, but falls in love with Julia, a young and charming woman. He is torn between his duty
and his desire, and eventually realizes that his love for Julia is like a dead star, a memory of something that no
longer exists. Esperanza is Alfredo’s fiancée and later wife, who is loyal, faithful, and principled. She knows
about Alfredo’s affair with Julia, but still loves him and hopes for his happiness. Julia is the sister-in-law of a
judge who is a friend of Alfredo’s father. She is optimistic, enthusiastic, and passionate. She also loves Alfredo,
but respects his engagement and wishes him well.

In The Wedding Dance, the main characters are Awiyao and Lumnay, a married couple who belong to a
mountain tribe. Awiyao has to marry another woman, Madulimay, because Lumnay cannot bear him a child. He
still loves Lumnay, but he feels the pressure of his culture and his need for a son. He tries to convince Lumnay
to join the wedding dance and accept his decision. Lumnay is Awiyao’s first wife, who is the best dancer in the
tribe. She loves Awiyao deeply, but she cannot accept his second marriage. She refuses to join the wedding
dance and hopes to stop the tradition of having to marry another partner just to have a child.

Setting:

Dead Stars is set in the Philippines during the early 1900s, when the country was under American colonial rule.
The story takes place in different locations, such as Manila, where Alfredo and Esperanza live and work;
Laguna, where Julia’s hometown is; and Batangas, where Alfredo meets Julia again after eight years.

The Wedding Dance is set in a remote mountain village in the Philippines, where the people follow their tribal
customs and traditions. The story takes place on the night of Awiyao’s wedding to Madulimay, when he visits
Lumnay in their house and invites her to the wedding dance.

Plot:

Dead Stars follows the story of Alfredo Salazar, who falls in love with Julia Salas while he is engaged to
Esperanza. He struggles with his feelings for both women, until he decides to marry Esperanza out of duty and
respect. Eight years later, he meets Julia again and realizes that his love for her was an illusion, like a dead star
that still shines but has no life.

The Wedding Dance tells the story of Awiyao and Lumnay, who have to separate because they cannot have a
child. Awiyao marries another woman, Madulimay, who can give him a son. He still loves Lumnay, but he has
to follow his culture’s tradition. Lumnay does not want to lose Awiyao, but she has no choice but to let him go.

Point of View:

Dead Stars is written in third-person omniscient point of view, which means that the narrator knows the
thoughts and feelings of all the characters. The narrator reveals Alfredo’s inner conflict, Esperanza’s pain and
hope, and Julia’s love and disappointment.

The Wedding Dance is written in third-person limited point of view, which means that the narrator only knows
the thoughts and feelings of one character. The narrator focuses on Lumnay’s perspective, showing her love and
anguish for Awiyao.

Theme:

Dead Stars explores the theme of love and illusion, showing how one can be deceived by one’s own emotions
and fantasies. It also shows how one can choose between passion and duty, between desire and respect.
The Wedding Dance explores the theme of love and culture, showing how one can be torn between one’s own
feelings and one’s society’s expectations. It also shows how one can cope with loss and acceptance, between
hope and resignation.

2. These pieces reflect Filipino values in literature in different ways. Some of these values are:
3.
Family: Both stories show how important family is for Filipinos, especially having children who can continue
their lineage and inheritance. Alfredo marries Esperanza because he wants to have a son who can carry his
name and honor. Awiyao marries Madulimay because he wants to have a son who can inherit his lands and
status.

Loyalty: Both stories show how loyal Filipinos are to their partners and their promises. Esperanza remains
faithful to Alfredo despite his affair with Julia. She also respects his decision to marry her out of duty. Lumnay
stays loyal to Awiyao even after he leaves her for another woman. She also respects his decision to follow their
tradition.
Honor: Both stories show how Filipinos value their honor and reputation in their society. Alfredo feels ashamed
of his feelings for Julia, and tries to hide them from Esperanza and his family. He also feels guilty for betraying
Esperanza’s trust and love. Awiyao feels ashamed of not having a child with Lumnay, and tries to justify his
second marriage to her and his friends. He also feels sorry for hurting Lumnay’s feelings and pride.

Sensitivity: Both stories show how Filipinos are sensitive to the feelings and opinions of others. Alfredo tries to
be gentle and polite with Julia, and does not want to hurt her or offend her. He also tries to be considerate and
kind with Esperanza, and does not want to make her feel unloved or unwanted. Awiyao tries to be affectionate
and reassuring with Lumnay, and does not want to make her feel lonely or bitter. He also tries to be friendly and
grateful with Madulimay, and does not want to make her feel insecure or jealous.

3. The similarities and differences between Dead Stars and The Wedding Dance in terms of their elements are:
Similarities:

Both stories have a love triangle as the main conflict, involving a man who loves two women, and two women
who love the same man.
Both stories have a tragic ending, where the man loses the woman he truly loves, and the woman he truly loves
suffers from his loss.
Both stories have a cultural influence, where the man has to follow the norms and expectations of his society,
and the woman has to accept the consequences of his choice.
Differences:

Dead Stars is set in the urban and modern setting of the American colonial period, while The Wedding Dance is
set in the rural and traditional setting of the pre-colonial period.
Dead Stars is written in third-person omniscient point of view, while The Wedding Dance is written in third-
person limited point of view.
Dead Stars explores the theme of love and illusion, while The Wedding Dance explores the theme of love and
culture.