“Dead Stars” by Paz Marquez Benitez

Theme Love and Forbidden love   – the story focus on a man, Alfredo, who is engaged to one woman but falls in love with another woman. Love can be seen in the story. Alfredo love Esperanza that is why he courted her and engage with her. However, the tone of the story change when he met Julia. He is confused to choose between what he wants and what he needs to do. Forbidden love is only apparent and curses and disturbs the person until a person realizes his or her faults. The affection and love between Alfredo and Julia seemed to be existing and real, however, with the passage of time, it fades away like a dead star. Hence, the disillusionment and memories of the past do not exist anymore.

Point-of-View Third-person POV – the author of the story dead star uses the pronoun she, he and they.  We can see thoughts and feelings of character if the author chooses  to reveal  them to us. We only know only what the character knows and what  the author allows him/her to tell us.

      Plot Exposition  – At the beginning of the story, Alfredo and Esperanza are engaged to be married. Their partnership is considered ideal by many. At Don Julian’s house Carmen was asking Don Julian about Alfredo Salas and Esperanza. Alfredo reminisces how she met Julia Salas Rising Action  - One night, Alfredo goes to visit a neighboring judge with his father, Don Julian. There, he meets Julia, a young woman. All the time he was calling her Mrs. Del Valle which led to embarrassment. Alfredo continues to visit the judge, quickly developing feelings for Julia 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 he congratulated him. Alfredo needs to make a very difficult situation. Would he choose what he “WANTS” to? Or would he choose what he “HAS” to? Falling Action  – Julia didn’t want Alfredo not to his understanding with Esperanza. She said goodbye, th...

 Conflict ·        ·   Man vs. Self - The conflict of the story is begun to Alfredo because he is not ready to take a commitment to Esperanza even, they are engaged in many years, although Alfredo seemed uncertain of his real wants. It is not to mean though that Alfredo is afraid to commit. He just fell in love with another woman named Julia Salas. Alfredo is confused to choose between something he wanted to do and something he need to do. ·     ·    Man vs. Society – Alfredo loving Julia is a taboo in his society because he is a engage man. That is the one of reason that led Alfredo into confusion.

Settings ·        house of Don Julian ·        house of Judge Del Valle ·        house of Don Julian in Tanda where there are coconut plantation and a beach ·        Church of Our Lady of Sorrow ·        Calle Real ·        Santa Cruz particularly in Calle Luz, hometown of Julia Salas ·        The time of the story is the Lenten Season because they are celebrating the holy week proven by the procession, they made with the Our Lady of Sorrow

 Characters Alfredo Salazar -  a lawyer and love two woman: Esperanza and Julia Salas Julia Salas – a thoughtful, beautiful and winsome woman who is good at conversing on different and profound issues. She is energetic, enigmatic and vital, a young woman who is the other woman of the life of Alfredo Salazar   Esperanza – wife of Alfredo, a woman of exquisite beauty, charm and wit. However, she suffers from the lust for material wealth and reputation. Don Julian – father of Alfredo.  He is a man of wisdom and advises Alfredo about the dangers of prolonging courtship and engagement without a proper marriage.   Carmen – alfredo sister and Vicente – Carmen’s husband Judge del Valle – brother-in-law of Julia Salas,  and happens to be the Salazar’s neighbor.  Donna Adella – sister of Julia Salas and Dionisio – Adella’s husband Calixta –  She is a friend of Esperanza. She lives with her lover even without marriage and becomes the reason for the e...

Dead Star Summary The story of the short story Dead Stars revolves around a man, Alfred Salazar, and his affairs. Alfred 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 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...