WHAT IS FEMINIST

THEORY?
 FEMINIST THEORY
Feminist literary criticism looks at literature
assuming its production from a male-
dominated perspective. It re-examines
canonical works to show how gender
stereotypes are involved in their
functioning. It examines (and often
rediscovers) works by women for a possible
alternative voice.
In general, characteristics of feminist
literature include questioning gender
norms and roles, working towards
gender equality, and addressing
feminine issues (in, for instance,
domestic, political, and social milieux).
I QUOTE YOU!
DEAD STARS
Paz Marquez
Benitez
 PAZ MARQUEZ BENITEZ

• Born on March 3, 1894 in Lucena,

Quezon
• She studied at the University
of Eastern Philippines
•Among the first generation
Filipinos trained in the American
education system.
• In 1919, she founded "Women's Home
Journal", the first women's magazine in the
country.
• In 1928, she compiled "Filipino Love Stories,"
reportedly the first anthology of Philippine stories
in English by Filipinos.
• She married UP College of Education Dean
Francisco Benitez, with whom she had four
children.
CHARACTERS:

ALFREDO SALAZAR
He is the son of Don Julian. He is over thirty years
old bachelor. Alfredo Salazar believes in true love
and optimism to discover ecstasy in its stir.
Esperanza is the first woman he falls in love with.
After their engagement, he falls in love with Julia
Salas.
ESPERANZA
She is the wife of Alfredo Salazar. Esperanza
is an impassionate woman having strong will
and principles. A homely woman, she is also
among the lucky women who have the
aptitude of consistent beauty.
JULIA SALAS
She is the sister in law of Judge Dal Valle, a
friend of Alfredo’s father. She is the second
woman with whom Alfredo falls in love
with. She remains single for her entire life.
DON JULIAN
He is the father of Alfredo
Salazar.
CARMEN
She is the only sister of Alfredo Salazar.

JUDGE DEL VALLE

He is Julia’s brother in law.
DONNA ADELLA
She is Julia’s sister. A pretty, small, plump
woman with baby complexion.

CALIXTA
He is a note-carrier of Esperanza and Alfredo
Salazar.
DIONISIO
Donna’s husband.

VICENTE
Carmen’s husband.

BRIGIDA SAMUY
The elusive woman whom Alfredo is
searching for.
 SUMMARY

The story of the short story Dead Stars

revolves around a man, Alfredo Salazar,
and his affairs. Alfredo Salazar believes in
true love and optimism to discover
ecstasy in its stir. Esperanza is the first
woman he falls in love with.
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,
now, becomes a new object of his desire.
Julia Salas is the 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 and lost something.
 EXPOSITION:

At Don Julian's house, Carmen was

asking Don Julian about Alfredo and
Esperanza. Alfredo reminiscence how
he met Julia Salas.
RISING ACTION:

He had gone neighboring with Don Julian

to Judge Del Valle's house. He met Julia
Salas. All the time he was calling her Mrs.
Del Valle which led him to embarrassment.
Coming to the judge's house became
often. Then he realized he was in love with
Julia in spite his engagement to Esperanza.
 CLIMAX:

After the procession for The Lady of

Sorrows, Alfredo caught up with Julia. It
was when Julia found out about Alfredo's
wedding, so she congratulated him.
Alfredo needs to make a very difficult
decision. Would he choose what he
WANTS to? or would he choose what he
HAS to?
FALLING ACTION:

Julia didn't want Alfredo not to

honor his understanding with
Esperanza. She said goodbye. He
went home to Esperanza. And
there, the last word had been
said.
DENOUEMENT:
Alfredo and Esperanza got married. After
eight years, he was searching for a lady
named Brigada Samuy-a who's important
for his defense in the court of Sta. Cruz,
Julia's hometown. He went to Julia's house
and he found her there, still unmarried.
And he realized, his love for julia was like a
Dead star. It was nonexistent.
THEME:

Forbidden Love

Responsibility
CONFLICTS:

Man Vs. Circumstances

Man Vs. Society

Man Vs. Himself

SYMBOLISM:

Dead Stars
THANK YOU!