The story of Dead Stars, written by Paz Marquez Benitez in 1925, revolves around love among three people: Alfredo, Esperanza, and Julia. Alfredo Salazar, a lawyer on his early thirties then, was betrothed to Esperanza, whom he loved so much in his youth–Esperanza, who was beautiful, reserved, elegant, and distinctly not average. They were about to be wedded the following month, May, after about four years of engagement, although Alfredo seemed uncertain of his real wants. It is not to mean though that Alfredo is afraid to commit. He just fell in love with another woman on the six weeks preceding his and Esperanza’s matrimony. The woman he fell in love with was a visitor to their town.
He first met her when he decided to do some “neighboring” with his father, Don Julian, in Judge Del Valle’s house. It was not in his nature to do such, but perhaps out of fate, he allowed himself to be swayed. He seemed to have no regrets about it. Not when he met Julia Salas, Judge Del Valle’s sister-in-law. They have found themselves in good company since. It was always a moment to cherish for both, particularly for Alfredo, that since then, he had been making the “neighboring” thing a habit. Each Sunday, instead of waiting for his girl (Esperanza) after mass, he was engrossed in giving his newfound love a visit. Julia had given him new life.
He admits the fact that he was incomparably happier with Julia than with Esperanza, but it is, too, a pain for him to hurt his fiancée. Julia is unlike Esperanza in more ways, one being that she was certainly less beautiful (physically) than her. It may be that, but she possesses some traits Alfredo found distinctively hers, and which traits that really caught him off the hook. Alfredo married Esperanza in spite of the confusion and pressure he was feeling because of what he felt for Julia, and for Esperanza as well. A pressure to what the people might think, if ever he won’t marry Esperanza. He was too concerned about what the people might say about him.... and so it ended up with his decision of marrying Esperanza.
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.
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. Don Julian once said ³I 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.´
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.
Then, eight years later, he goes on a business trip to the town where Julia, still unmarried, lives. He goes to visit Julia, whom he has never forgotten. But he is surprised to find that he no longer feels attracted to her. He compares the memory of his love for her to dead stars, whose glow is still visible from the earth for years after they are gone.
Remember love is a choice not an obligation. Make sure to lend touch, gifts, time, acts of service and last but not the least words of compliment. Every person understands love best when it is communicated in one of those ways.
The main character, Alfredo is a representation of the men who are confused, and selfish. Having been engaged to Esperanza for a long time and being undecided when to marry his fiancée' manifest Alfredo's confusion and his uncertainty to what he really wants... Esperanza on the other hand is the representation of a woman who is meek woman who considers men to be superior who hardly exists nowadays. Julia, the third party, the woman whom Alfredo thought loves him also. Julia is the representation of a woman who maybe once fall in love, but the thought about romantic feeling fades easily or maybe a representation of a woman who falls in love to a wrong man, but wise enough that she easily moved on.
