Analysis of "the Dead Stars"

An analysis of the short story "Dead Stars," a story of "what if" as a married man again meets the woman he fell in love
with many years earlier while engaged to his wife. The story is basically a compilation of the complicated circumstances that
every man has to go through in life.
Alfredo was once in love with Esperanza, no doubt, but there comes a time when love fades, and the only thing holding
you together is the vow you gave your fiance, that which you cannot take back. Why can't you take it back? Its because you are
afraid of what will be the reaction of the people around you, specially during the time of the story. What's visibly wrong about this
is that most often than not, men refuse to listen to their own yearnings and simply submit to further dehumanization.
Love here, though perhaps genuine to a point, for Alfredo, is seemingly weak and purposive. Weak, because it is
eventually overcome by propriety, and purposive because it was merely a tool to justify his desire to go against society; that for
once he will not be a puppet, but the master of his own fate. In the story, Alfredo falls drastically in love with Julia even as he is
engaged to Esperanza, but in the end forgoes the idea. He kept on holding on to that glimmer of "what could have been" through
out the years of his marriage to Esperanza, but upon meeting Julia again, he realizes that what he thought was there, had now gone
for more than one reason.
First, it is possible to say that after what society has done to him (dehumanized him), he found at peace in his place, and
sought no more that illusive dream of yesterday. He understood, after meeting her again, that it was nostalgia that was taking hold
of his heart, and not the "love" that he once felt for her. It is said in the story that he is not unhappy with his marriage, but a part of
him always slips away from the world in order to dream of another life that could have blossomed, had he chose Julia over
Esperanza. On the other hand, it is possible that there was no real love to speak of, but a desire for something else. He desired
youth. Although relatively young, he desired the qualities that the youthful possessed: vigor, passion, vitality. These are a few
things that he lacked as a person and to find these in Julia gave him a sense of completeness. It was a welcomed changed in his
life, and he wanted to hold on to it for as long as he could, since even if he couldn't be like Julia, he is comforted by the thought
that he was able to meet someone who is different from everybody else, and that she could have been his wife. He is noted to be of
a cool and calm demeanor, which is why it seems out of character if he suddenly bursts with energy.
Dead stars symbolize things that are present but are left unspoken of. The love between Alfredo and Julia seemed real,
but look closer and one can state that it was hardly mutual, and that it was impossible to last. Esperanza's devotion to Alfredo also
resembles love, but since she believes in the "regenerative virtue of institution" more than true love, it is safe to say that she is in
the relationship, because of moral obligation. So what one thought as real (or present) is now nothing but an illusion.
Source: http://marjmag.blogspot.com/2011/05/analysis-of-dead-stars.html
Alfredo Salazar from Paz Marquez-Benitez "Dead Stars": A Character Analysis
(In which I pose another attempt toward reactivation.)

***
Paz Marquez-Benitez, in her masterpiece Dead Stars, did not only write about a love story. Most importantly, her writing reflects
the time in which the literary work was written along with the language, the norms and the way people think. It serves as a literary
time machine for readers as it enables them to understand how courtship, marriage and fidelity were viewed through the early
1900 standards. It renders a sound comparison between the past and the present, the existing modern culture and the fading,
almost obsolete tradition. Although the comparison and contrast provides a good critical foundation, another highly significant
aspect of this short story involves the main character, Alfredo Salazar, which, always applies to whatever era, hence the focus of
this paper. His confusion, weakness and unreasonableness are innate flaws of humans. Perhaps one of the many reasons why this
work is timeless is that readers never fail to see a part of them in Alfredo Salazars character, making the short story a rich source
of serious ruminations on society, love and humanity.

People oftentimes give high regard to the society in which they belong. They try to adhere to the norms, traditions and culture of
their society, though sometimes the conformity would require them to sacrifice a part of themselves an opinion, an emotion or a
decision. However, there are cases wherein the established norms and rules of society are the ones which should prevail. In Dead
Stars, the main character, Alfredo Salazar, was torn between making two important decisions to marry or not to marry. But just
like other dilemmas, the crossroad in which he found himself in was not to be solved without harming anyone. He was engaged to
Esperanza, his fiance of four years. Theirs was undoubtedly a love that was true. But for some reasons, apparently on Alfredos
part, a change of heart has taken place. He has fallen for Julia Salas, the sister-in-law of the judge whom his father had a meeting
with. After spending several afternoons and conversations, he found himself slowly getting attached to her that he started losing
concern for Esperanza. In the end, however, he married his fiance and though their marriage was not an unhappy one, he still
could not take the possibilities of a future with Julia off his mind. Until one day, their paths crossed again and he realized one
painful truth that led him to liberation at last.

Human emotions are very intricate and delicate both at its lowest and highest. And so is love. When Alfredo was still passionately
attached to Esperanza, he was overwhelmed. Taking the conversation of Alfredos sister, Carmen, and his father, Don Julian into
consideration, readers can deliberately conclude that he was indeed in love.
. . . Papa, do you remember how much in love he was?
In love? With whom?
With Esperanza of course. He has not had another love affair that I know of, she said with good-natured contempt. What I
mean is that in the beginning he was enthusiastic flowers, serenades, notes and things like that.
The excerpt was a good manifestation of how change in men occurs. But since change is mens wine and bread according to
Angela Manalang-Gloria, it is as essential as living itself, and therefore the most important things to be considered after the
transition are the causes, the way one deals with change and the consequences. Alfredo was aware of the cause of his change as
what is shown in the following paragraph:
Why would men so mismanage their lives? Greed, he thought, was what ruined so many. Greed the desire to crowd into a
moment all the enjoyment it will hold, to squeeze from the hour all the emotions it will yield. Men commit themselves when but
half-meaning to do so, sacrificing possible future fullness of ecstasy to the craving for immediate excitement. . .
Another significant reason as to his emotional wanderings could be the length of time in which he was engaged o Esperanza. As
what Don Julian had philosophize, couples who were engaged for so long become too comfortable and familiar with each other
that the spark of love that was felt at the time the romance was just starting to blossom would expectantly cool down that it
argues a certain placidity of temperament or of affection on the part of either, or both.\
Another factor to be considered was the contrast of Alfredo and Julias personalities. Alfredo was calm and placid while Julia
was lively and full of vitality. The difference between them must have excited him as he saw in her the things he lacked.
However, though aware he was of the possible reasons why he, as well as men, or even humans in general, succumb to acts or
thoughts of subtle infidelity, his attitude towards what is moral and not becomes shadowed in the attempts to justify his own
behavior. Stances about the argument he had with Esperanza regarding the latters anger toward Calixtas cohabitation with the
man shes not married to, may vary. But again, ones act was expected to adhere with what is the established morality in a certain
society. Because of what seemed as a liberal notion, Alfredo was trapped in a situation where he has to defend himself and in the
process, what was manifested was his greed.
One tries to be fair according to his lights but it is hard. One would like to be fair to ones self first.
But the wedding materialized; He chose not to break his word probably in order to save himself, Esperanza and Julia from social
ridicule. He felt that his moral and social obligations were already fulfilled upon choosing not to cause humiliation to them all.
The way in which he chose to deal with his internal change was to consider the way in which the society will view the people
involved. But perhaps he felt that in doing so he has deprived himself of fairness. So he became distant and unreachable to
Esperanza although he stayed with her and treated her gently. He has developed the skill in being unaffected and somehow
mastered the art of being detached.

After several years, he was sent by his profession in search for the elusive Brigida Samuy and into the hometown of Julia Salas.
Upon seeing her and finding out that she never married, he started to notice that she lost something, even doubted if the loss was
his. As he tried to find the answer, a great realization dawned on him.
Gently was it experimentally? he pressed her hand at parting; but his remained undisturbed and emotionless. Did she still care?
The answer to the question hardly interested him.
. . . So all these years since when? he had seen the light of dead stars, long extinguished, yet seemingly still in their appointed
places in the heavens.
Therefore, the love he thought he (Alfredo Salazar) felt for her (Julia Salas) during the short summer they shared was not the love
that was enough to break an engagement. Nor was it love in its strictest definition. Instead, it was desire that sprung from the
coldness that slowly crept in his relationship with Esperanza due to their long-time familiarity with each other. It was excitement
that was ignited by boredom and the last spurt of hot blood.
Alfredo symbolizes the greed and indecisiveness of men when it comes to dealing with the matters of the emotion. He had
entertained the pull of an anonymous feeling. Anonymous since he never really ventured to understand it but he clung to it
anyway. And in the process he lost a part of himself and deprived that part to Esperanza as well.
Had it not been for chasing the lights of an illusive love that was long dead, or worse, never was, would Alfredo be happier in his
marriage? Is it fair to say that he has wasted the milestones of a blissful marriage with a woman he loved first all for the sake of an
impossible whim? Considering the disappointment he manifested upon realizing what he lost, the answer, is yes.
*In the process of feeding the lack or sense of being incomplete, she lost her initial love and was disillusioned by the fact
that the love he was so eager to chase for, that he disregarded his first love for, was actually never love after all.
Source: http://bibliophilicnightowl.blogspot.com/2011/01/alfredo-salazar-from-paz-marquez.html
Dead Stars is one of the best Philippine short stories that has already tested time and generations. It has endured decades of
changing ideals and trends, but the fact still remains that its one of those stories that everyone can still relate to, from teenagers
who are just beginning to be interested in the opposite sex, to those people who have already loved and lost it.
The story Dead Stars has immortalized Paz Marquez Benitez in the minds and hearts of readers and non-readers alike. Most
teenagers today would tell you that they have come across the story because it had been required by their teachers in school. Only
a few would have actually read it because they wanted to. Either way, after youve read the story, it would stick to you not only
because youre required to, but because it will feel like its a new experience to you that you just know youll forever treasure.
Not a lot of sources today will give you summary of Dead Stars by Paz Marquez Benitez, because they will think it cruel to
ruin the story for you. However, you may find a few good sources giving you a brief but very dense analysis of the story, should
you have enough patience to look through the web.
For those looking for the analysis of Dead Stars by Paz Marquez Benitez, you will find the ones that are online helpful to you not
only in realizing things about the story that you didnt think were possible, but also because it will give you a fresh outlook about
the best Philippine short stories and the Philippine epic stories as well.
Personally, I would rather you read the short story first, so you can enjoy reading more the Dead Stars by Paz Marquez Benitez
analysis that youre looking for. Incidentally, there is a poem that has been created as answer to the premise of this short story. If
you want to read that as well, you can visit this site on Filipino poems.
Source: http://www.patulong.com/dead-stars-by-paz-marquez-benitez-analysis/
the times, oh the times
The short story, "Dead Stars" was written during the American Colonization of the Philippines, a time when the modern short
story, critical essay, and free verse poetry were introduced. English was the medium of learning, and became, as well, the
language of the learned. This was also the time when utilitarian literature was slowly being overshadowed by the individualistic,
modern view of creating "art for art's sake".
Paz Marquez- Benitez was born in 1894 in Lucena City, Quezon to the prominent Marquez family. Being one of the students who
learned under American Education, she wrote the first Filipino modern short story in English. This achievement put her and her
story as one of the best writers and best Filipino short stories.
Paz went to the Tayabas High School (now Quezon National High School) and proceeded for college in the University of the
Philippines, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1912. She then married UP College of Education dean, Dean
Francisco Benitez, two years after her graduation. She had two children.
She then became a teacher in the same university, teaching short story writing. She is an influential figure to some Filipino
writers, such as Loreto Paras-Sulit, Paz M. Latorena, Arturo Belleza Rotor, Bienvenido N. Santos and Francisco Arcellana.
She wrote one more story, entitled "A Night in the Hills".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paz_M%C3%A1rquez-Ben%C3%ADtez
Interpretation
Dead Stars is a story about the fickleness of Alfredo Salazar, a man in his thirties who is about to be married to a woman named
Esperanza after four years of their being engaged. It begins with Alfredo staring out from the open window, who is being talked
about by his father and sister regarding his marriage and his love life. We are told that he was so in love, that "at the beginning he
was enthusiastic--flowers, serenades, notes, and things like that--" towards Esperanza. But his sister has observed that something
has happened to him, that he was no longer aggressive and perhaps, youthful. Their father then explains that it is normal, that
long-engaged people are "warm now, cool tomorrow", that Alfredo was having his "last spurt of hot blood".

Alfredo "fell in love" with another woman in just a few weeks of his "neighboring" to the Martinez Residence, where Julia Salas
stayed for her visit. Julia too, seemed to have fallen for Alfredo, but both knew that what they had was against, perhaps, morality,
and was subject to the scrutiny and judgement of the society. Alfredo, being an engaged man, should not involve himself with
others. But he chose to live a lie, he believed he found "youth" and "heart's desire" up in the hills with Julia. He always reasoned
that " If a man were married, why, of course, he loved his wife; if he were engaged, he could not possibly love another woman."
But then he immersed himself in an illusion, in a dream that he can possibly be with Julia despite hurting Esperanza, and of
course, breaking a lot of society's rules. In the end, in his final encounter with Julia where the girl did not seem to respond to his
last show of love, there he was redeemed from that delusion, that all along he was holding on to nothing; that all along he was
looking at dead stars.
*Stars that appear presently to the naked eye on the sky are already dead. They are light years away from us
Summary: Dead Stars by Paz Marquez-Benitez
Dead Stars by Paz Marquez-Benitez
Alfredo Salazar was betrothed to Esperanza, his girlfriend for four years. The start of their relationship was relatively warm,
with Alfredo wooing Esperanza like a man in dire lovesickness. But as the years went by, the warm loves fire slowly flickered.
And it was because of Julia Salas.
She was charming and gleeful. He shared moments of light but sometimes deep conversations with her when the lawyer Alfredo
visited Julias brother-in-law, who was a judge. He always went there with his father and since it was his father who needed to
talk to the judge, he was always left to Julias company. He never told her he was engaged. At first he didnt notice that a change
in his heart was taking form. But then he started keeping details of his activities to his fiance and then the guilty feeling crept in.
when he found out that Julia was about to head back to her distant hometown, he felt blue and frightened.
He met her in church after the Holy Thursday procession, although he knew that Esperanza was already waiting for him. He
approached her and she conversed with him with an expression that told him she finally knew. She congratulated him and said she
will be at his wedding. Then they parted.
When he visited Esperanza in her house, he overheard her talking to another woman about infidelity and immorality, to which he
reasoned in favor of the condemned. The statement caused an intense fury to Esperanza and she told him that she knew. She dared
Alfredo to abandon her, along with morality and reason and her dignity as a woman as well as her image before the society all for
the sake of his being fair to himself.
Eventually the wedding took place. And after several years, Alfredo was sent to a distant village due to a legal assignment. It
bothered him so much because it was near Julias hometown. But he still found himself making his way to her house despite of
himself. And he found her there, just as how and where he expected her to be. She never married. And he wondered how life
would be if he ended up with her. But all was too late and he could never bring things back. He also noticed that Julia lost
something, albeit the fact that he didnt know what that is youth, love, luster? And when he looked at her he doubted if she ever
cared for him, if he has mistaken the past light in her eyes as manifestations of a possible romance. But now theyre all gone. And
so it was indeed all done.


The story revolves around Alfredo Salazar, a bachelor over 30, and two women: Esperanza, his fiance of four years, and a young
girl from out-of-town named Julia Salas. Everyone takes it for granted that Alfredo will eventually marry Esperanza. But although
he is ashamed to admit it, the intensity of his passion for Esperanza has faded and he is attracted to Julia, whom he meets at a
dinner party. But he is aware that all his loved ones including Julia would disapprove of his failure to honor his understanding
with Esperanza. So he and Esperanza get married and have a family. Then, 8 years later, he goes on a business trip to the town
where Julia, still unmarried, lives. He goes to visit Julia, whom he has never forgotten. But he is surprised to find that he no longer
feels attracted to her. He compares the memory of his love for her to dead stars, whose glow is still visible from the earth for
years after they are gone.
Dead stars is a love story about a man named Alfredo Salazar, who has this fiance named Esperanza and they had been engaged
for quite some time. Society views them as an ideal couple. Their wedding is about to take place in the near future. Prior to the
wedding however, he sees another girl, when he goes with his father to a judges house. He tries to seek love in her, but she kinda
declines. In that way, Alfredo became a little bit confused in his upcoming wedding where he is about to chose between 2 options:
to do what he should do my marrying Esperanza as prescribed by her parents or to do what he wants to do by having Julia Salas,
his dream the dead star in his life.
In the story, dead stars symbolize a dream for something that is nonexistent in the first place. The guy loved the girl. She was his
dream, his star. He thought there was love there. But like a dead star which is so far away, and whose shine could actually be
leftover travelling light form it, he was a long way from getting the girl, and the love he thought was possible, never was.

**Characters
Alfredo Salazar son of Don Julian, a more than 30 year 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 mided 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 her entire life.
Don Julian an old man, a father of Alfredo Salazar and Carmen
Carmen sister of Alfredo Salazar
Judge Del Valle brother-in-law of Julia Salas
Donna Adella sister of Julia Salas.
Calixta note-carrier of Alfredo Salazar and Esperanza
Dionisio husband of Donna Adella
Vicente husband of Carmen
Brigida Samuy She is the illusive woman who Alfredo is looking for.