DEAD STAR, By Paz Marquez Benitez

A Critique...

"Was love a combination of circumstances, or sheer native capacity of soul? 

In those days love was, for him, still the eternal puzzle"

“The young moon had set, and from the uninviting cot he could see one half of a star-studded sky. So that was all over. Why had he obstinately clung to that dream?

“So all these years--he had been seeing the light of dead stars,

long extinguished, yet seemingly still in their appointed places in the heavens"

CHARACTERS:

Major

• Esperanza and Alfredo Salazar (engaged)
• Julia Salas

Minor

• Carmen and Vicente (man and wife)
• Doña Adela and Dionisio (man and wife) 
• Don Julian 
• The Judge

SETTING:

The author described briefly but concretely each setting which the story undertook. A little description here and there to give us, the readers, a little picture of the settings.


POINT OF VIEW:

The story was told in the 3rd person point of view. The author played sort of like the storyteller role in the story. Plus, the author used a lot of big words and gave the whole story a “flowery tone”.


CONFLICT:

The conflict was especially thrilling since it came between the question of “being true to your heart” or “being loyal to your promise”. Alfredo had to choose between pursuing this NEW longing of his heart (for Julia) or to stick with his past decision, his promise (commitment with Esperanza).

The story had an External conflict- A struggle with a force outside one's self.
Specifically a:  Man vs. Circumstances - The leading character struggles against fate, or the circumstances of life facing him/her at that moment.


PLOT:

Exposition, Rising action, Climax, Resolution

The story was truly a thrill to read. The plot slowly unfolded as the story got deeper and deeper.

It started of in a slow easy pace with the introduction of the characters and their situations. Then, as the inevitable “Love-Attraction” between Julia Salas and Alfredo Salazar progressed, the story became more and more interesting (rising action). Then the climax came when Julia Salas and Esperanza finally found out what Alfredo has been up to. That he has been prancing around with Julia while he is still engaged with Esperanza.

This love triangle between the three and our anticipation for Alfredo’s to-be decision is the main excitement of the story. Our main character is faced with the dilemma of man vs. circumstance. Then when Alfredo finally decided, the story’s excitement went back to its slow steady pace leading to the resolution. He finally chose to stay with his promise, remain loyal to his commitment and marry Esperanza whom he was betrothed to. The Author also added a little ending twist to the story - when he made Alfredo and Julia meet again after a long time, a little reunion scene between the two “halted loves”- this gave the story its lasting impression, and illuminated the story’s “DEAD STAR” title.

THEME:

The main theme was focused on deciding between what your heart truly wants and also the question on whether to “Follow your heart or to follow your mind”, of “Being true to your heart or being loyal to your promise.”

The author really did a great job on this part. The best part about the story is that it has “substance”. The theme he set up most especially made me think and contemplate a lot. At the end of reading, it gets you thinking and pondering on life; which for me is a success on the part of the author because it means that he truly got to capture the reader’s attention.

“The dear, dead loves of vanished youth.” 
 

Reiteration of the theme:

For all the loves which had been halted, 

for all the loves which came to soon, 

which came before its time, 

of which bloomed much too early to allow destiny to fulfill it

Maybe in another lifetime. 

these stars, although extinguished, 

are still imprinted in the skies

--For all the right loves which came at the wrong time.