Dead Stars
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Author: Paz Marquez-Benitez
Author's Background: Paz Marquez-Benitez (1894 - 1983) was a Filipina short-story writer. Marquez-Benitez authored the first Filipino modern English language short story, Dead Stars, published in the Philippine Herald in 1925. Born into the prominent Marquez family of Quezon province, she was among the first generation of Filipino people trained in the American education system which used English as the medium of instruction. She graduated high school in Tayabas High School now, Quezon National High School. She was a member of the first freshman class of the University of the Philippines, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1912. Marquez-Benitez later became a teacher at the University of the Philippines, who taught short-story writing and had become an influential figure to many Filipino writers in the English language, such as Loreto Paras-Sulity, Paz M. Latorena, Arturo Belleza Rotor, Bienvenido N. Santos and Francisco Arcellana. The anually held Paz Marquez-Benitez Lectures in the Philippine honors her memory by focusing on the contribution of Filipino women writers to Philippine Literature in the English language.
Vocabulary:
Melancholy - a sad mood or feeling.
Long table - references marriage.
Perfervid - marked by overwrought or exaggerated emotion.
Porch - a structure attached to the entrance of a building that has a roof and that may or may not have walls.
Austere - simple or plain.
Tumultuous - loud, excited, and emotional.
Mortgaging - a legal agreement in which a person borrows money to buy property (such as a house) and pays back the money over a period of years.
Placidity - not easily upset or excited.
Resonant - producing a loud, clear , deep sound
Indolence - inclination to laziness.
Incontrovertible - not able to be doubted or questioned.
Fastidious - very careful about how you do something.
Trod - to walk.
Piquant - having a pleasant, spicy taste.
Cessation - a stopping of some action.
Poignantly - causing a strong feeling of sadness.
Cubbyhole - a small hole or space for storing things.
Bewilderment - to confuse (someone) very much.
Belfry - a tower or part of a tower where a bell or set of bells hangs.
Encroach - to gradually move or go into an area that is beyond the usual or desired limits.
Obstinate - refusing to change your behavior or your ideas.
source: Merriam-Websters Dictionary, Google
source: Merriam-Websters Dictionary, Google
Characters:
Alfredo Salazar - the protagonist, who is engaged to Esperanza for 4 years. Nevertheless, he felt enticed to Julia Salas.
Esperanza - the fiancee of Alfredo Salazar for 4 years. She is described as homely woman and literal minded.
Julia Salas - the sister-in-law of Judge Del Valle. She is a beautiful and a young girl from out-of-town. She is the mistress of Alfredo Salazar.
Carmen - the sister of Alfredo Salazar.
Judge Del Valle - brother-in-law of Julia Salas.
Don Julian - the father of Alfredo Salazar.
Calixta - the note-carrier of Alfredo Salazar and Esperanza.
Donya Adella - the sister of Julia Salas. She is small and plump.
Vicente - the husband of Carmen
Dionisio - the husband of Donya Adella.
Brigada Samuy - the apparent woman whom Alfredo Salazar is looking for.
Settings: Home of Don Julian
Home of Judge Del Valle
Coconut plantation and beach (Tanda)
Calle Real
Calle Luz in Sta. Cruz (Hometown of Julia Salas)
Exposition: The story begins where Alfredo Salazar heard the conversation between his father, Don Julian and his sister, Carmen talking about when will Alfredo plan to marry Julia Salas. It was also mentioned in the beginning when Alfredo dreamed about his past experience in love. Esperanza, the first woman that he loved and Julia Salas, the second woman that he loved. Alfredo remembered that period with mix of emotions and shame. When Alfredo was invited at the house of Judge Del Valle, the action begins to rise.
Rising Action: The conflict of the story is when Alfredo Salazar meets a young girl from out-of-town named Julia Salas. As time goes by, their relationship grows confidential. Another one is before Holy Week, when Don Julian invited Judge De Valle's family to spend Sunday with them at coconut plantation and a beach located in Tanda. It is in the point where he forget his commitment to his fiancee, Esperanza. During the outing, Alfredo Salazar once again saw Julia and wanted to confess his feelings to her because it may be their last meeting. A sunny day where they talked with each other like how they met in Judge De Valle's house. Julia Salas knows that Alfredo is in engagement and planning to marry Eseperanza. Then she walked away and say their adieu.
Climax: When Alfredo was bewildered with his emotions and feeling, since he has fallen in love with Julia Salas. Alfredo has arrived at home and Esperanza had a conversation with him about Calixta, their note-carrier. The argument heated up between Alfredo and Esperanza because of the resonance voice of Alfredo and his replies to her seems not interested. It was in the point where Alfredo and Esperanza argued whether they should pursue their marriage or cancel their wedding. After all, Esperanza knew the relationship between Alfredo and Julia. Then Esperanza walked out sadly, while Alfredo left shamed and discouraged.
Falling Action: The denoument of the story is when Alfredo and Esperanza finally got married. After eight years, their relationship seems full of responsibility and "love" is out in the picture. When Alfredo went in Julia's hometown because he his searching for a woman related to his work. Then he met Julia once again. He found out that Julia remains single. Alfonso greeted Julia. However, Julia seems not interested talking to him.
Ending: When Alfredo and Julia meet up and talked to each other again. Alfredo miss the past conversation between them. He pressed her hand, and he was looking for something which is his emotions. He then realize that it is already over between them. He had been seeing the light of dead stars, placed in the heavens. He felt extreme sadness as of loss invaded his spirit, homesickness, unchanging freshness, the dear, dead loves of vanished youth.
Symbolism: The title itself "Dead Stars" - which means memories of the past. It was shown in the story that Alfredo realized that his feeling to Julia was gone. It symbolizes that Julia, as her dead star, her feelings for her vanished as the time goes by. It disappears that will never be found again.
Theme: The theme of the story depicts how most people in their romantic relationship starts to cool off especially Filipinos. It also shows how we must face problems in choosing between difficult choices in our life.
Lesson: Think over your decisions in life wisely. Follow what your heart says in order to choose the destined person for you. In a relationship, loyalty takes in. Don't fool around with your emotions. It will harm your partner and hurt him/her. Always think of every move you take if it will be beneficial to your loved ones especially your family, partner, and everyone around you.
Alfredo Salazar - the protagonist, who is engaged to Esperanza for 4 years. Nevertheless, he felt enticed to Julia Salas.
Esperanza - the fiancee of Alfredo Salazar for 4 years. She is described as homely woman and literal minded.
Julia Salas - the sister-in-law of Judge Del Valle. She is a beautiful and a young girl from out-of-town. She is the mistress of Alfredo Salazar.
Carmen - the sister of Alfredo Salazar.
Judge Del Valle - brother-in-law of Julia Salas.
Don Julian - the father of Alfredo Salazar.
Calixta - the note-carrier of Alfredo Salazar and Esperanza.
Donya Adella - the sister of Julia Salas. She is small and plump.
Vicente - the husband of Carmen
Dionisio - the husband of Donya Adella.
Brigada Samuy - the apparent woman whom Alfredo Salazar is looking for.
Settings: Home of Don Julian
Home of Judge Del Valle
Coconut plantation and beach (Tanda)
Calle Real
Calle Luz in Sta. Cruz (Hometown of Julia Salas)
Exposition: The story begins where Alfredo Salazar heard the conversation between his father, Don Julian and his sister, Carmen talking about when will Alfredo plan to marry Julia Salas. It was also mentioned in the beginning when Alfredo dreamed about his past experience in love. Esperanza, the first woman that he loved and Julia Salas, the second woman that he loved. Alfredo remembered that period with mix of emotions and shame. When Alfredo was invited at the house of Judge Del Valle, the action begins to rise.
Rising Action: The conflict of the story is when Alfredo Salazar meets a young girl from out-of-town named Julia Salas. As time goes by, their relationship grows confidential. Another one is before Holy Week, when Don Julian invited Judge De Valle's family to spend Sunday with them at coconut plantation and a beach located in Tanda. It is in the point where he forget his commitment to his fiancee, Esperanza. During the outing, Alfredo Salazar once again saw Julia and wanted to confess his feelings to her because it may be their last meeting. A sunny day where they talked with each other like how they met in Judge De Valle's house. Julia Salas knows that Alfredo is in engagement and planning to marry Eseperanza. Then she walked away and say their adieu.
Climax: When Alfredo was bewildered with his emotions and feeling, since he has fallen in love with Julia Salas. Alfredo has arrived at home and Esperanza had a conversation with him about Calixta, their note-carrier. The argument heated up between Alfredo and Esperanza because of the resonance voice of Alfredo and his replies to her seems not interested. It was in the point where Alfredo and Esperanza argued whether they should pursue their marriage or cancel their wedding. After all, Esperanza knew the relationship between Alfredo and Julia. Then Esperanza walked out sadly, while Alfredo left shamed and discouraged.
Falling Action: The denoument of the story is when Alfredo and Esperanza finally got married. After eight years, their relationship seems full of responsibility and "love" is out in the picture. When Alfredo went in Julia's hometown because he his searching for a woman related to his work. Then he met Julia once again. He found out that Julia remains single. Alfonso greeted Julia. However, Julia seems not interested talking to him.
Ending: When Alfredo and Julia meet up and talked to each other again. Alfredo miss the past conversation between them. He pressed her hand, and he was looking for something which is his emotions. He then realize that it is already over between them. He had been seeing the light of dead stars, placed in the heavens. He felt extreme sadness as of loss invaded his spirit, homesickness, unchanging freshness, the dear, dead loves of vanished youth.
Symbolism: The title itself "Dead Stars" - which means memories of the past. It was shown in the story that Alfredo realized that his feeling to Julia was gone. It symbolizes that Julia, as her dead star, her feelings for her vanished as the time goes by. It disappears that will never be found again.
Theme: The theme of the story depicts how most people in their romantic relationship starts to cool off especially Filipinos. It also shows how we must face problems in choosing between difficult choices in our life.
Lesson: Think over your decisions in life wisely. Follow what your heart says in order to choose the destined person for you. In a relationship, loyalty takes in. Don't fool around with your emotions. It will harm your partner and hurt him/her. Always think of every move you take if it will be beneficial to your loved ones especially your family, partner, and everyone around you.
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