DEAD STARS

source

Title: DEAD STARS
Author: 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. 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. source
Vocabulary:

• Azotea - a flat roof or platform on the top of a house or other building.
• Perfervid - intense and impassioned.
• Insipid - lacking flavour; weak or tasteless.
• Tumultuous - making an uproar or loud, confused noise.
• Deluded - make (someone) believe something that is not true.
• Placidity - pleasantly calm or peaceful.
• Recalcitrant - having an obstinately uncooperative attitude towards authority or discipline.
• Derided - express contempt for; ridicule.
• Imperiously - something done in an overbearing way, or with a feeling of superiority.
• Saunter- it is to stroll at a leisurely pace.
• Cessation - the fact or process of ending or being brought to an end.
• Tumult - a state of confusion or disorder.
• Disdain - the feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one's consideration or respect.
• Lugubriously - looking or sounding sad and dismal.

Characters:

• Don Julian - Alfredo's Father.
• Carmen - Alfredo's sister.
• Esperanza - Fiancée of Alfredo.
• Julia Salas - The neighbor of alfredo that he wished was his long wedded wife.
• Alfredo Salazar - Fiancé of Ezperanza.
• Judge del Valle - Brother-in-law of Julia Salas.
• Dona Adela - Sister of Julia Salas.
• Calixta - Messenger of Alfredo and Esperanza.

Setting:

• Don Julian's House
• Judge del Valle's House
• Calle Luz in Sta. Cruz
• Julia's House 

Exposition:

• The story starts when Alfredo hears the conversation of his family about his 4 year long engagement from his room.
• Don Julian, the father of Alfredo decides to go neighboring and visits Judge del Valle.
• This is where Alfredo meets Julia and that is where their relationship started.

Rising Action:

• Julia talks with Alfredo in the beach and tells him that, that may be her last visit to him. and says goodbye to him.
• Alfredo meets Julia on the way to Judge del Valle's house, her brother-in-law, and they had a little talk.
• Julia congratulates Alfredo about his wedding and Alfredo asks her to attend his wedding. Deep inside, he wished that Julia was his long wedded wife.
• Alfredo is confused on whether he should follow his heart or his  4 year engagement.

Climax:

• Alfredo gets into an argument with Esperanza, his 4 year fiancée.
• they argue whether they should cancel their wedding or not.

Falling Action: 

• Alfredo get married to Esperanza and after some time, he goes to the hometown of Julia for Business purposes.
• He visits Julia and had a chat with her after some time.

Ending:

• He shaked hands with her, and gently, he pressed her hand at parting; but his own felt undisturbed and emotionless.
• He has lost his feelings for her like the dead stars above him.

Symbolisims:

• The Dead stars that stay on their place in the heavens, symbolizes his love for her in the past. his love was there but it is already dead, but it will remain in his memory.

Theme: A Man's Dilemma into choosing whether he should follow his heart, or his responsibility.
Lesson: 

• If you think that the relationship is not working well, then end it, rather than suffer for a lifetime.
• Follow your heart, because following what you love brings happiness and contentment.