PHILIPPINE LITERATURE- "Deads star"

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PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

DEADS STARBy: Paz Marquez Benitez

VOCABULARY WORDS:

1. Formless melancholy - a feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause.For example: "an air of melancholy surrounded him" or She felt a little melancholy.Synonyms: sorrowful, unhappy, depression, joyless

2. Fervid imagination - intensely enthusiastic or passionate, esp. to an excessive degree.For example: "a letter of fervid thanks".Synonyms: Wholehearted, passionate, sincere, and intense

3. Apathetic - showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concernFor example: Apathetic about voting.

Synonyms: uninterested, indifferent, and unconcerned

4. tumultuous haste - making a loud, confused noiseFor example: tumultuous applause

Synonyms: loud, noisy, and thunderous

5. indolent ease - lazy; wanting to avoid activityFor example: Cathy was an indolent girl who never completed her tasks.

6. errant - misbehaving, guiltyFor example: Errant behaviour is not good.

7. tantalizing charm - interest; desireFor example: There are tantalizing hints that our universe has already survived.

8. reposeful with trees - calm, quiet, relaxing, restful For example: All were enjoying repose on the desired shore.

9. vivid apparel - bright, highly colored, realistic For example: Vivid imagination to do to make herself feel safe?

10. Acrid - having an irritatingly strong and unpleasant taste or smell.Synonyms: bitter, sharp, sour, harshFor example: Acrid milky juice.

11. Circuitous route - longer than the most direct way; roundabout, winding, indirectFor example: Circuitous journey by land.

12. nuances in her voice - expression or sound.For example: "The effect of the music is nuanced by the social situation of listeners".

13. Keen - having or showing eagerness or enthusiasmFor example: She must be keen on details.

14. Bewilderment - confusion resulting from failure to understandFor example: Have anyone else had these feeling of total bewilderment.

15. Exasperation - a feeling of intense irritation or annoyance; irritation, annoyance, angerFor example: "She rolled her eyes in exasperation"

Presented by: JOMALYN V. TILETILE Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Major in Management

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Paz Márquez-Benítez(1894 - 1983)

Tall and elegantly attired in full terno, she was a familiar figure on the campus of the pre-war University of the Philippines. She was Paz Marquez Benitez, beloved mentor to the first generation of Filipino writers in English. Inspiring many students who later became literary luminaries, she had an enduring influence on the emergence and development of Philippine literature in English.

Born to the prominent Marquez family of Quezon Province, Marquez Benitez belonged to the first generation of Filipinos trained in the American educational system. She was a member of the first freshman class of the University of the Philippines, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1912. She taught at the University’s English department from 1916 to 1951, acquiring a reputation as an outstanding teacher. Among her students were Loreto Paras Sulit, Paz Latorena, Bienvenido Santos, Manuel Arguilla, S.P. Lopez and National Artist Francisco Arcellana, who later emphatically declared, “She was the mother of us all!”

Among ALIWW’s prized exhibits are the journals of Paz Marquez Benitez, which are inscribed in two hard-bound volumes. The entries, written by hand in both pencil and ink, date from 1924 and extend for an as yet undetermined number of years. Of special interest to literary scholars are her notes on the tentative plot and setting of her short story, “Dead Stars.” This story, first published in 1925 and regularly anthologized since, is considered the first modern short story written in English by a Filipino

PLOT:

Summary


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Dead Stars a story of pain and sorrow that love can give to an everlasting life of happiness.

Exposition

Alfredo met Julia Salas in a out of town business. But rather Alfredo and his father, Don Julian, became close to Judge del Valle. In time, Alfredo fell in love with Julia. Julia did not have any affection to Alfredo. But Alfredo has an on-going relationship back at home.

Rising Action

Don Julian and Carmen talks concerning the ongoing relationship of Alfredo Salazar and Esperanza. Perhaps, the relationship between Alfredo and Esperanza for four years gradually ready to disappear. Don Julian once said ,I supposed long engaged people are like that; warm now, cool tomorrow. I think they are oftener cool than warm. The very fact that an engagement has been allowed to prolong itself argues certain placidity of temperament or of affection on the part of either, or both.

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.

Conflict

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. 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.

Climax

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 non existent.

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 four 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.


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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.

Calle Real

After the parade for The Lady Of Sorrows Alfredo caught up with Julia in Calle Real. Julia congratulated him for his upcoming wedding ironically. They were walking until the gravel road lay before them; at the road's end the lighted windows of the house on the hill. There swept over the spirit of Alfredo Salazar a longing so keen that it was pain, a wish that, that house were his, that all the bewilderments of the present were not, and that this woman by his side were his long wedded wife, returning with him to the peace of home.

Sta. Cruz

Sta. Cruz was Julia’s hometown. Alfredo was searching for Brigida Samuy, a lady important for his defense in the court. Knowing that this place was Julia’s hometown, he thought of his marriage. He was not unhappy. He went to Julia’s house. He saw her She asked him about the home town, about this and that, in a sober, somewhat meditative tone. He conversed with increasing ease, though with a growing wonder that he should be there at all. He could not take his eyes from her face.

Time

The time of the story is the Lenten Season because they are celebrating the holy week proven by the procession they made with the Our Lady of Sorrow

CHARACTERS:

a. 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.b. 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.

c. Julia Salas Sister-in-law of Judge Del Valle. She is the other girl of Alfredo Salazar that remains single in her entire

life.d. Don Julian

An old man, a father of Alfredo Salazar and Carmen.e. Carmen

Sister of Alfredo Salas.f. Judge Del Valle

Brother-in-law of Julia Salas.g. 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.

h. Calixta Note-carrier of Alfredo Salazar and Esperanza.

i. Dionisio Husband of Donna Adella.

j. Vicente Husband of Carmen.

k. Brigida Samuy She is the illusive woman whose Alfredo is looking for.

SYMBOLISM


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The short story “Dead Stars” by Paz Marquez Benitez symbolizes a dream for something that is non-existent. 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 the leftover traveling light from it, he was a long way from getting the girl, and the love he thought was possible, never was.

It also symbolizes 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.

PERSONAL REFLECTION OF THE PIECE

The story evolves around Alfredo, Esperanza, and Julia, and the complications of love and feelings, old and new, that surround them. Alfredo is soon to wed his long-time fiancée, Esperanza. He meets Julia and immediately believes he has fallen in love with her. But conventions require him to restrain such unwelcome emotions and so he proceeded to marry Esperanza. For eight years, Alfredo yearned for Julia and his long-lost love for her. Told in the point of view of Alfredo, Dead Stars is not a difficult read. It is straightforward and honest, and though I do not entirely agree with what Alfredo did (and did not do), I am quite familiar with the confusions surrounding love and relationships. After all, who can fully understand one’s feelings?

I am of the belief that Alfredo is suffering from cold feet that certain feeling of indecision common among would-be married couples. But I do not believe that he is in love with Julia. Infatuation, yes. The momentary excitement of meeting someone new. A longing for something (or someone) he cannot have. I am a staunch believer in love strengthened and nurtured by time and that is what Alfredo and Esperanza have. Whatever feelings Julia might have stirred in him, I cannot, will not, call it love.

Too much time and effort were wasted by Alfredo in thinking about Julia all these time he was married to Esperanza. And even though it might not be outright cheating, or unfaithfulness, on his part, I have every reason to believe that Esperanza knew about Julia, and for that, I feel sorry for her. And angry on Alfredo. This man just cannot make up his mind! He has a lot of what-ifs! And the ending is just right. I cannot help but give a snort of laughter at Alfredo. Serves him right for pining over a woman he should not have any business dealing with in the first place.


Education

PHILIPPINE LITERATURE- "Deads star"