Dead Stars Argumentative

Author:
Born in 1894 in Lucena City, 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. She graduated high school in Tayabas High School now, Quezon National High School and college from the University of the Philippines with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1912. “Marquez”Benitez. She was a member of the first freshman class of the University of the Philippines, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1912.

Two years after graduation, she married UP College of Education Dean Francisco Benítez with whom she had four children. Márquez-Benítez later became a teacher at the University of the Philippines, who taught short-story writing and had become an influential figure to many Filipino writers in the English language, such as Loreto Paras-Sulit, Paz M. Latorena Arturo Belleza Rotor,Bienvenido N. Santos and Francisco Arcellana. The annually held Paz Marquez-Benitez Lectures in the Philippines honors her memory by focusing on the contribution of Filipino women writers to Philippine Literature in the English language. Characters

* Alfredo Salazar – Don Julian’s son, Carmen’s brother and a bachelor over thirty. He is Ezperanza’s fiancé for about four years but has feelings for another woman, Julia Salas.* Esperanza – Fiancée 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.* Julia Salas- Judge Del Valle’s sister-in-law. She is the other girl Alfredo Salazar has feelings for. She remains single in her entire life.* Don Julian – Father of Alfredo Salazar and Carmen* Carmen – Sister of Alfredo Salas and wife of Vicente* Judge Del Valle – Julia Salas’ brother-in-law and Doña Adela’s husband* Doña Adela – Julia Salas’ sister and Judge Del Valle’s wife. She is small and plump, a pretty woman with a complexion of a baby with an expression of a likeable cow.* Calixta – The note-carrier of Alfredo Salazar and Ezperanza. *Dionisio – husband of Doña Adela.

*Vicente – husband of Carmen.
*Brigida Samuy – She is the illusive woman whose Alfredo is looking for. Setting
The whole story seems to take place between the late 18th and early 19th century in a baryo or a rural place in the Philippines where there is a trail of the Spanish era. The use of the Spanish language, the azotea, the rocking chair and the vine-covered porches are some of the evidences of the aged ambiance of the story. And also the rich Filipino culture and customs, specifically the long engagement of Alfredo and Ezperanza, which were more dominant and exercised in the past are proof that the events in the story took place during those times. In those times, Filipinos are greatly influenced by the Spaniards that they even speak their language and follow their customs. Also, Filipino women in those times, as how Benitez exhibited them in her story, are way more modest and formal than the ones in the younger generation. And the people’s way of socialization in the story through neighboring and attending soirees is an affirmation of the traditional ways of doing so. Plot

The plot of the story is that Alfredo Salazar was engaged to one woman and had intense feelings for another. He wound up marrying his fiancé. He thought a lot about the other woman and ran into her after about eight years. He found that he didn’t feel the same way about her any more. She was like a dead star. Even though residual light still appears in the sky the star does not exist. 384810288290Rising Action

At the azotea, Don Julian and Carmen talks concerning the on-going relationship of Alfredo Salazar and Esperanza. Perhaps, the relationship between Alfredo and Esperanza for four years gradually ready to disappear. Rising Action At the azotea, Don Julian and Carmen talks concerning the on-going relationship of Alfredo Salazar and Esperanza. Perhaps, the relationship between Alfredo and Esperanza for four years gradually ready to disappear. Climax – the confrontation of Esperanza to Alfredo is realistic and straight forward pointing out the things that made her feel uncomfortable. 00Climax – the confrontation of Esperanza to Alfredo is realistic and straight forward pointing out the things that made her feel uncomfortable.

Alfredo met Julia Salas in a out of town business. But rather Alfredo and his father, DonJulian, 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.  Exposition

Alfredo met Julia Salas in a out of town business. But rather Alfredo and his father, DonJulian, 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.