Analysis of DEAD STARS

“So all these years—since when?—he had been seeing the light of dead stars, long extinguished, yet seemingly still in their appointed places in the heavens.”
Dead stars by Paz Marquez Benitez is a narrative story written in 1925. It was written in third person point of view and through this Philippine Modern English Literature was introduced.
This short story revolves around with one man who was confused on what he love and what is right thing to do. Alfredo Salazar and the affairs of his heart was torn. He is a man who believes in true love and hopes to find bliss in its wake. The first woman he falls in love with is Esperanza. Esperanza was a beautiful, elegant and not an average woman, who is also engaged to Alfredo. Their relationship with a good foundation, it was full of love but as time goes by Alfredo suddenly gets cold and tired with their relationship. Just like any other relationships, there are times your love for someone will fade, and the only thing holding you together is your promises and vow to your fiancee.
It’s because you are afraid of what people will tell you, you are afraid with how will they react if you had broke your vow. As their wedding approached, Alfredo met Julia Salas who was their neighbor’s sister-in-law, and just a visitor in their town and been there for only six weeks. Alfredo fell in love with Julia, a not so beautiful but still Alfredo interest her so much. Alfredo found his new happiness and their new friendship grew more. Until Julia found out that He was engaged so she left him. The wedding was still pursued after all the problems that Alfredo faced. He didn’t stop loving Julia, every night his memories with Julia hunts him.
After eight years, He went for a trip and then he met Julia. Suddenly he felt that his love for Julia fades without him knowing it, His love for Julia is like a dead star because when stars die, their glow diminishes then eventually vanishes, like the feelings of Alfredo when he touches the hand of Julia when they see each other after a year, he realizes that the feelings that he had to her were already gone.
Love Regretion is the dominant theme in the story. Alfredo thought he and Julia loved each other but had to sacrifice his engagement with Esperanza which he had the thought of choosing Julia over his fiancee Esperanza. Alfredo lately realize that he never understood his feelings for Julia, It was more desire for something different and unachievable that made him fall for Julia. The entire story tells us how people misconstrue their desire and lust for love and commit mistakes.