DEAD STARS PAZ MARQUEZ BENITEZ Paz Marquez Benitez 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. Characters Alfredo Salazar - son of Don Julian, a more than 30 years old man and a bachelor. He is engaged to Esperanza but him still fleeting to Julia Salas. Esperanza - wife of Alfredo Salazar. She is a homely woman, literal minded and intensely acquisitive. She is one of those fortunate women who have the gift of uniformly beauty. Julia Salas - sister-in-law of judge Del Valle. She is the other girl of Alfredo Salazar that remains single in her entire life. Don Julian - an old man, a father of Alfredo Salazar and Carmen. Carmen - sister of Alfredo Salas. Judge Del Valle - brother in law of Julia Salas. Donna Adella - sister of Julia Salas. She is small and plump, a pretty woman with a complexion of a baby with a expression of a likeable cow. Calixta - note-carrier of Alfredo Salazar and Esperanza. Dionisio - husband of Donna Adella. Vicente - husand of Carmen. Brigida Samuy - She is the illusive woman whose Alfredo is looking for. Setting Don Julian’s House- Carmen was asking Don Julian about Alfredo’s wedding. Alfredo remembered that period with a wonder not unmixed with shame. That was less than forty years ago. He could not understand those months of a great hunger that was not of the body nor yet of the mind, a craving that had seized on him one quiet night when the moon was abroad and under the dappled shadow of the trees in the plaza, man wooed maid. Judge del Valle’s House- Alfredo went neighboring with Don Julian. This is when he met Julia Salas. Don Julian and his uncommunicative friend, the judge, were absorbed in a game of chess. So he and Julia went outside and talked. Don Julian's house in Tanda where there are coconut plantations and a beach. After the merienda, Don Julian sauntered off with the judge to show him what a thriving young coconut looked like--"plenty of leaves, close set, rich green"--while the children, convoyed by Julia Salas, found unending entertainment in the rippling sand left by the ebbing tide. Alfredo left his perch on the bamboo ladder of the house and followed. Alfredo and Julia had a very long conversation and told each other about themselves. Plot Introduction At Don Julian's house Carmen was asking Do Julian about Alfredo and Esperanza. Alfredo reminiscence how we 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 to him to embarrassment. Coming to the judge's house became often. Then he realized he was in love with Julia in spite his engagement Esperanza. Plot Climax After the procession of 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 honor his understanding with Esperanza. She said goodbye. He went home to Esperanza. And there, the last word has been said. Denouement Alfredo and Esperanza get married. After eight years, he was searching for a lady named Brigida Samuy a lady important for his defense in the court-in Sta. Cruz, Julia's hometown. He went to Julia's house and he found her there. Still unmarried. And he realized that his love for Julia was like a Dead Star. It was non existent. Synopsis This story revolves around Alfredo Salazar & two women: Esperanza, his fiancée for four years and a young girl from out-of-town named Julia Salas. Alfredo is committed to marrying Esperenza. But he started having second thoughts about his feelings when he met Julia in the Judges' house. But he aware that all his loved ones-including Julia would not agree if he would not honor his understanding with Esperanza. So he and Esperanza got married and made a family. After 8 years, he met Julia. And then realized that his feelings for Julia was gone. He compares his love for Julia with a ‘Dead Star’. This story is about Love & Responsibilities Conflict Man vs. Circumstances In the story, Alfredo struggles against his fate and the circumstances of life & love facing him. He needs to face problems in choosing between difficult choices of his life. Theme The short story "Dead Stars" by Paz Marquez Benitez is conveying the theme that pertains to forbidden love. It says that forbidden love is only apparent, and its banes haunt the person until such time that he realizes his faults. Symbolism Dead Stars symbolize a dream for something that is nonexistent. She was his dream, his star. He thought he's in love. But like a dead star which is so far away, and whose shine could be the leftover traveling light from it, he was a long way getting the girl and he realized that he is no longer is attracted to her. Plot Type / Devices POV Third Person POV The author tells the story in third person (using pronouns they, she, he, it, etc.). We know only what the character knows and what the author allows him/her o tell us. We can see the thoughts & feelings of characters if the author chooses to reveal them to us. References http://www.sushidog.com/bpss/stories/stars.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paz_M%C3%A1rquez-Ben%C3%Adtez https://www.slideshare.net/aileenmanili/presentation1-11957124 Members Balmaceda, Marvin Calma, Kevin Dabu, Al Tristan Enriquez, John Bien Manipon, Mark Navarillo, Melvin Santos, Jose Baluyot, Misha Dilig, Mariella Tordel, Leila 11-STEM B Documentation Thank you for watching
