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. 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.

Vocabulary:

Immemorial - originating in the distant past; very old.

Mortgage - expose to future risk or constraint for the sake of immediate advantage.

Temperament - a person or animal's nature, especially as it permanently affects their behavior.

Repose - a state of rest, sleep, or tranquility.

Indolence - avoidance of activity or exertion; laziness.

Incontrovertible - not able to be denied or disputed.

Exuberant - characterized by a vigorously imaginative artistic style.

Characters:

Alfredo Salazar – Son of Don Julian, over 30 years old and a bachelor. Engaged to Esperanza.

Esperanza – Alfredo’s wife. Self-conscious and well raised woman.

Julia Salas – Naïve, innocent, and young. Judge Del Valle’s sister-in-law.

Don Julian – Alfredo and Carmen’s father.

Carmen – Alfredo’s sister

Judge Del Valle – Julia’s brother-in-law.

Donna Adella – Julia’s sister

Calixta – Note carrier of Alfredo and Esperanza

Dionisio – Husband of Donna Adella

Vicente – Husband of Carmen

Brigida Samuy – The illusive woman who Alfredo was looking for in his business trip.

Setting:

·         House of Don Julian

·         House of Judge Del Valle

·         Church of Our Lady of Sorrow

·         Calle Real

·         Sta. Cruz, in Calle Luz, Julia’s hometown

Summary

This story talks about a man who had to choose between what he wanted to do and what he had to do. Alfredo, a man over his 30’s and a bachelor, lived happily for four years, engaged with his wife Esperanza. One day, Alfredo started to think back to his pas and wondered: “Is something missing?” He felt as if something was no longer the same, as if he was blinded by a curse. Esperanza started to notice something was off in their relation though she chose to keep silent about it. At some point, Alfredo met a man named Judge Del Valle and through him, he encountered a maiden named Julia Salas. They had a fruitful chat at the porch while the Judge was absorbed in a game of chess. They really enjoyed each other’s company. Esperanza was starting to get worried “why is Alfredo coming home so late these days?” she thought. She decided to drop the topic after he mentioned his reason. She did not want to indulge in unprovoked jealousies. Just before Holy Week, Don Julian invited the judge and his family to spend Sunday afternoon at Tanda where he had a coconut plantation and a house on the beach. Julia and Alfredo took a stroll by the beach, she told him about her return as requested by her parents back in their hometown. Alfredo happened to stumble upon Julia one last time before her departure. He secretly wanted to confess about his feelings but ‘twas too late as Julia found out about their upcoming wedding. At that moment, he knew that she turned cold and it was no longer possible to continue their relation. He returned home only to have a discussion with his wife where she broke out into tears and reveals to him that she knew something was wrong. Staying true to his words, the wedding happened to avoid further problems. A few years later, he was called to go to the town where Julia lives in. After being engaged to Esperanza for so long, he realized the distance between Julia and him.

Symbolism:

When a star dies, it leaves some remnant behind. There was something in Alfredo that convinced him how he had feelings for Julia. “She was his dead star” is what he realized after their final goodbye. Not all dreams are meant to be followed. 

Theme:

The Later years in Marriage

Lesson:

Every relationship needs a strong foundation, built with honesty and openness to each other. Walls are non-existent between lovers. Any doubt needs to be dealt with as soon as possible.