This is our presentation about the short story "DEAD STARS"

2. THE AUTHOR: PAZ MARQUEZ BENITEZ
- Born in March 3, 1894 in Lucena, Quezon
- She studied at the University of the
Phillipines
- She became editor of the Women’s Journal
from 1919 to 1924, the first feminine
magazine in English published in the
Philippines.
- She is married to Francisco Benitez, noted
educator, whom she met while teaching at
the U.P.

3. CHARACTERS
Alfredo Salazar- son of Don Julian, a
more than 30 years old man and a
bachelor. He is engaged to Esperanza but
he still fleeting to Julia Salas.
Esperanza – fiancé of Alfredo Salazar.
She is homely woman and literal minded.
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, father of Alfredo
Salazar and Carmen.
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.
Calixta- note-carrier of Alfredo Salazar
and Esperanza.
Dionisio- husband of Donna Adella.
Vicente – husband of Carmen
Brigida Samuy- she is the illusive woman
whose Alfredo is looking for.

4. SETTINGS:
Don Julian’s House
Judge Del Valle’s House
Don Julian’s House in Tanda where
there are coconut and a beach
Calle Real
Sta. Cruz
The time of the story is Lenten
Season because they are
celebrating the holy week proven
by the procession they made with
Our Lady of Sorrows.

5. THE PLOT

6. INTRODUCTION
At Don Julian’s house Carmen was asking Don Julian about
Alfredo and Esperanza.

7. 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.

8. 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 she congratulated him. Alfredo needs to
make a very difficult situation. Would he choose what he WANTS to? Or would he
chose what he HAS to?

9. FALLING ACTION
Julia didn’t want Alfredo not to honor his understanding with Esperanza.
She said goodbye. Alfredo went home to Esperanza. And there, the last
word has been said.

10. 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 out that Julia is still
unmarried . And then he realized that his love for Julia was like a DEAD STAR- it was
non existent.

11. POINT OF VIEW
The story is in the Third Person Omniscient Point of View. We can
only see or feel the thoughts and feelings of the characters if he
allows it to reveal on us. We only know what the character knows
and what the author allows us to see.

12. CONFLICT
PERSON VS. FATE
In the story, Alfredo struggles against his fate and the circumstances of life and love
facing him. He needs to face problems in choosing between difficult choices of his life.

13. THEME
The 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 he realizes his faults.

14. MORAL OR HUMANISTIC APPROACH
When Alfredo have a choice between the girl he WANTS TO whch is Julia Salas and
he HAS TO which is Esperanza. In the end of the story he choose Esparanza and he
realized that his love to Julias Salas was like a DEAD STAR – when stars are die, their
glow diminishes then eventually vanishes.