Dead Stars

Dead Stars

By: Paz Marquez-Benitez

Author's background:

Born in 1894 in Lucena, Tayabas (now Quezon). Marquez – Benítez authored the first Filipino modern English language short story, Dead Stars, published in the Philippine Herald in 1925. ... For Marquez-Benitez, writing was a lifelong occupation.

Vocabulary:

Tranquil - free from disturbance; calm.

Dappled - marked with spots or rounded patches.

Insipid - lacking flavor.

Perfervid -  intense and impassioned.

Tumultuous - making a loud, confused noise; uproarious.

Haste - excessive speed or urgency of movement or action; hurry.

Avidly - with great interest or enthusiasm.

Recalcitrant - having an obstinately uncooperative attitude toward authority or discipline.

Derided - express contempt for; ridicule.

Drawled - (past tense) speak in a slow, lazy way with prolonged vowel sounds.

Filigree - ornamental work of fine (typically gold or silver) wire formed into delicate tracery.

Characters:

Alfredo Salazar - Main character of the story

Esperanza - The beautiful fiancee of Alfredo

Calixta - note carrier of Esperanza

Julia Salas - Sister-in-law of Judge De Valle

Judge De Valle - Brother-in-law of Julia

Carmen - Sister of Alfredo

Don Julian - Father of Alfredo

Vicente - husband of Carmen

Donya Adela - sister of Julia

Dionsio - husband of Donya Adela

Brigida Samuy - The woman Afredo's looking for.

Setting: 

Don Julian's House

Judge De Valle's House

Sta. Cruz

Exposition:

The story starts with Alfredo hearing his family of why Alfredo hasn't married

Esperanza yet. It's been four years.

Rising Action:

Alfredo went to Judge Del Valle's house. Alfredo building up feelings towards Julia while interacting and having a conversation. 

Climax: 

Alfredo had a conversation with Julia, shake her hands. Shocked that his feelings are now gone for Julia, knowing that it's already part of the past. Julia discovered Alfredo's engagement

with Esperanza, she then congratulated Alfredo.

Falling Action:

This part is when Alfredo married Esperanza. Eight years later, he had a business trip and he visited Julia. 

Ending: 

Alfredo and Esperanza's marriage was far from perfect. But when he saw Julia, he realized that his feelings for Julia was already a part of the past, and will remain only in the past.

He then compared his love for her to dead stars.

Symbolism:

The symbolism that I found in the story is the Title, and when he compared it, "Dead Stars".

The Symbolism here is that when he realized that his feelings were left in the past and will

only remain there. "He compares his memory of love for her to Dead Stars, whose glow is still visible from the Earth for years after they are gone."

Theme:

This story shows the reality of Forbidden Love.

It is whether you choose your dilemma or commitment.

Lesson: 

One must follow his heart. It is better to have your life in a comfortable and happy way, 

instead of forcing someone into your life, or things that are impossible to happen.