Discusssion Paper ( GREAT BOOKS )

INTRODUCTION

"Dead Stars" by Paz Marquez Benitez is a work of Philippine literature that has weathered the
test of time and continues to captivate readers. "Dead Stars" is a literary classic that explores
the intricacies of love, aspirations, and the inexorable passage of time against the backdrop of
early twentieth-century Manila. The narrative unfolds with delicate elegance through the lens
of Benitez's prose, expressing the essence of the human condition and the elusive nature of
dreams.

"Dead Stars" was one of the first short stories written in English by a Filipino author when it
was published in 1925. It is considered a timeless classic not only for its linguistic brilliance,
but also for its thematic richness and emotional depth. The story is set against the backdrop of
a society in transition, where traditional values collide with the rising effects of modernity,
creating a canvas for the protagonists to wrestle with personal aspirations and societal
expectations.

As we travel through the narrative tapestry of "Dead Stars," this discussion paper aims to
untangle the layers of meaning woven into Benitez's words. We hope to dive into the
complexities of the human experience as portrayed in this seminal work by carefully
analyzing the author's characters, ideas, and literary approaches. Furthermore, by situating the
story within its socio-historical setting, we hope to shed light on the deeper meanings and
resonances that "Dead Stars" holds for readers both in the Philippines and elsewhere.

Join us as we negotiate the rich storyline of "Dead Stars," a story that transcends its temporal
beginnings to offer timeless thoughts on love, societal expectations, and the never-ending
pursuit of one's dreams. Understanding and appreciating Benitez's work not only engages us
with a literary masterpiece, but also opens a window into the communal consciousness of a
society on the verge of transformation.

BACKGROUND OF THE AUTHOR

Paz Marquez-Benitez was born in March 3,10894-November 10,1983. She was born in
Municipality of Lucena, Tayabas (Now Quezon), Philippines. Born into the prominent
Marquez Family of Quezon Province her parents were well educated. Her Father, Gregorio
Marquez was educated at the Ateneo De Manila and her Mother, Escuela Municipal. Both of
Paz’s parents entered into careers in education and become teachers, leading to Paz’s
admiration and respect for the educating profession. She was a Filipino short-story writer,
educator, editor. Her career as a woman educator as well as her contributions as a writer are
seen as an important step within the advancement of women in professional careers as well as
in the development of Philippine literature. She was also a beauty queen.

Four years after graduating from the University of the Philippines in Manila in 1916,
Marquez- Benitez became a teacher in the English Department at her alma mater. While
teaching at the University of the Philippines, Marquez-Benitez went on the develop and teach
a course in short story writing for 35 years until she retired in 1951. Throughout her teaching
career, Marquez-Benitez had become known as an influential figure to many prominent
Filipino writers in the English language, such as Francisco Arcellena, Bienvenido N. Santo,
Paz Latorena, Loreto Paras Sulit, Edna Zapanta Manlapas, and Arturo B. Rotor all of whom
were taught by Marquez-Benitez lectures in the Philippines continue to honor her memory by
 focusing on the contribution of Filipina writes to Philippine Literature in the English
language.

During her career as a writer, Marquez-Benitez wrote short stories critical of American
Imperialism. She is most known by her short story “Dead Stars” (1925), in which the two
main characters are displayed as allegories to American Imperialism in order to portray the
slow decay of Philippine heritage. Her only other known published work is “A Night in the
Hills” (1925). Even though she had only two published works her writings would be regarded
as the first steps of Philippine Literature moving into the mainstream.

Marquez-Benitez remains as a prominent influence on Philippine literature through not only

her writing but her impact as an educator and editor. Maquez-Benitez and her husband
Francisco Benitez became founders of the Philippine Educational Magazine in which they
produced educational magazines for teachers. Francisco Benitez was the editor of the journal
until his death in June 1951 where soon afterward, Marquez-Benitez retired from her career as
an educator and took his place as the editor of the journal.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE STORY

DISCUSSION/INTRO (ELEMENT)

Plot

-Exposition: At Don Julian’s house Carmen was asking Don

Julian about Alfredo and Esperanza. Alfredo reminiscence how
he met Julia Sala
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 him to embarrassment. Coming to the judge's house became
often. Then he realized he was in love with Julia in spite his
engagement with Esperanza.
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 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 got 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 nonexistent a Dead Star. It was
nonexistent.

Characters

Alfredo Salazar: He is the son of Don Julian. He is over thirty years old bachelor. Alfred
Salazar believes in true love and optimism to discover ecstasy in its stir. Esperanza
is the first woman he falls in love with. After their engagement, he falls in love with Julia
Salas.

Esperanza: She is the wife of Alfredo Salazar. Esperanza is an impassionate woman having
strong will and principles. A homely woman, she is also among the lucky women who have
the aptitude of consistent beauty.

Julia Salas: She is the sister in law of Judge Dal Valle, a friend of Alfredo's father. She is the
second woman with whom Alfredo falls in love with. She remains single for her entire life.

Don Julian: He is the father of Alfredo Salazar.

Carmen: She is the only sister of Alfredo Salazar.

Judge Del Valle: He is Julia's brother in law.

Donna Adella: She is Julia's sister. A pretty, small, plump woman with baby complexion.

Calixta: He is a note-carrier of Esperanza and Alfredo Salazar.

Dionisio: Donna's husband.

Vicente: Carmen's husband.

Brigida Samuy: The clusive woman whom Alfredo is searching for.

Setting
-It was a Holy Week
-At Don Julian's House
-At Don Julian's House in Tanda
-At Judge Del Valle's House
-Our Lady of Sorrow Church
-At Calle Real
-At Calle Luz, Sta. Cruz
Conflict/Problem
Man versus Self: In the story, Alfredo was uncertain and confused by his decisions. He was
torn between doing what is right and what is in his heart.

Man versus Society: In the story, Alfredo struggles against the society because he was
afraid to the reaction of the people around him especially during the time of the story. 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.

Point of View
Third-person POV: It uses the pronouns he, she, it, and they. The narrator gives an
unbiased POV.

Theme:

Forbidden Love: Dead Stars expresses the subject of forbidden love. Forbidden love is only
apparent and curses and disturbs the person until a person realizes his or her faults.
Responsibility: Responsibility is another underlying theme of the story. Alfred is engaged to
his beloved to get married, yet, he distracts himself with another woman Julia. He forgets his
responsibility towards his to-be wife, even after eight years he still thinks of Julia until he
realizes that Julia has changed herself.

THESIS STATEMENT-

Dead Stars is the masterpiece of Paz Marque Benitez. In this short story, he didn’t only talk
about love. His writing is significant as it reflects the spirit of the time. It depicts the
language, norms and the manners of the people during that time. The readers are enabled to
understand how marriage, fidelity, and courtship were viewed during the early twentieth
century. This serves as a mode to compare the past and the present, and the fading traditional
culture and the predominating modern culture.
The short story also illustrates the rising conjunction of sociopolitical feminism. In this story,
women are represented as meek and dependent on men. Men are considered to be superior to
women. Women are faithful who easily falls in love while the male is shown as uncertain,
inconsistent and rational. However, the story also ruined the concept of patriarchal society as
it sees the man rational and logical while woman as emotional and kind.

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. After the eight years of reunion, the fading love
was not because of the fading youth, but because Alfred finds her different from what he
perceived in the past and all the gone years. He is disillusioned. The illusions that he
concealed all the years turns out to be nothing but dead stars; it was dead long ago, yet it
emits apparently real lights to travel the long distance.
The devotion of Esperanza for Alfred also symbolizes love, however, she believes more in the
reformative virtue than true love, that why we can say that she is in a relationship because of
moral obligation.

PROVIDE EVIDENCE

Evidence 1: At Don Julian's house Carmen was asking about Alfredo and Esperanza. Alfredo
reminiscence how he met Julia Salas. An immense sadness as of loss invaded his spirit, a vast
homesickness for some immutable refuge of the heart far away where faded gardens bloom
again, and where live on in unchanging freshness, the dear, dead loves of vanished youth"

Evidence 2: At Martinez house Six weeks ago that house meant nothing to him save that it
was the Martinez house, rented and occupied by Judge del Valle and his family. Six weeks
ago Julia Salas meant nothing to him; he did not even know her name.

Evidence 3: The provincial docket had been cleared, and Judge del Valle had been assigned
elsewhere. As lawyer--and as lover--Alfredo had found that out long before.

Explanation: “Dead stars” by Paz Marquez Benitez is a story about cheating. It emphasizes
how men fall into temptation and abandon years of commitment to their significant others for
pleasure and lust for another woman that they have just met. It is sad, really. So many
relationships, marriages, and years are wasted and broken because of this. Some men just
cannot get enough. They find another woman or mistress, meaning, another world, another
adventure and a new kind of experience. The legal woman has to find ways and be a fool just
to make his man stay. Is it not frustrating and sad? This has been a problem for centuries, and
this 20th century poem proves that cheating is rampant in any era, place, and culture. Set in
the 20th century Philippines, where the process from courting to marriage is rigorous and
requires blood, sweat, and tears with a great deal of hardship, are Alfredo and Esperanza.
After years of being a couple, at last, their wedding was planned and is nearing to come true.
Alfredo was happy about this until someone unexpectedly catched his eye, heart, and
attention. This “someone” is Julia, a beautiful woman. He was so enamored, like a star
sparking and shining very brightly. Julia felt the same, too, and the two had a short-lived
affair. Some time later, Esperanza finally learned that Alfonso was cheating behind her back.
She was so angry and confronted him about this, but she kept her cool. Alfonso, finally
coming back to his senses, was consumed by guilt and chose his commitment to Esperanza
over his intense, but brief affair with Julia. The marriage continued and he never saw Julia
again, but some years later, when he visited a place, he saw Julia. He saw her unmarried, old,
and frail. He realized that what he felt before was just a spark that dies shortly afterwards.
They were burning intensely before but they eventually burned out.

What he feels now and what happened between him and Julia was just like what the title says:
“Dead Stars.” My conclusion is that once you are already committed; never fixate your eyes
on someone other than your significant other. Your girl or man trusts you wholeheartedly and
sincerely, and he or she deserves the same treatment. Alfonso was tempted, yes, but he
realized the years he and Esperanza endured and the bonds that were made. He was lucky to
have a fool of a girlfriend to actually accept him back. That’s love in action right there. We
should prevent ourselves from falling to temptation because it is better than actually falling
for it and mending broken fences and that is what the story wants to emphasize and tell us.

RECOMMENDATION

Dead Stars is a short sad love story written in the ordinary form and has no metrical structure
and is told in 3rd person point of view. The author's writing style is flowery for she used a lot
of unfamiliar and complicated words or phrases. The story is about Alfredo Salazar who is in
personal conflict in deciding which should he choose between what his hearts truly wants or
being loyal to his promise. The story also shows a sad tone as the story conveys the theme of
forbidden love and how a man not being able to stand its commitment.

The story, for me, is really hard to understand for it uses so many flowery and figurative
language. It is also too long for just a short story for it has so many flashbacks and dialogue,
but those things allow the reader to fully understand the story. I'm not taking the sides of
neither of the main characters for all of them did wrong. Alfredo is engaged with Esperanza
but he still managed to like another woman, it only shows the infidelity of a man. Esperanza,
on the other hand, is a good woman but she has too much will and principle that makes her
impassionate. Lastly, for Julia Salas, she didn't even give Alfredo a closure and just left him
hanging.