Paz Marquez-Benitez was born in 1894 in the Philippines. She authored the first modern English language short story published in the Philippines in 1925 titled "Dead Stars." She was among the first generation of Filipinos educated under the American system using English. After graduating from the University of the Philippines, she became a teacher there and influenced many Filipino writers through her short story writing classes. Although she only published one other short story, she made a significant impact on Philippine literature as the author of its first modern short story in English.

2. AUTHOR’S BACKGROUND
Born in 1894 in Lucena, Tayabas (now 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. 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.
Although she only had one more published short story after "Dead Stars" entitled "A Night in the
Hills," she made her mark in Philippine literature because the former is considered the first modern Philippine
short story.

3. SUMMARY
The story revolves around Alfredo Salazar, a bachelor over thirty, and two
women: Esperanza, his fiancée for four years, and a young girl from out-of-town
name Julia Salas. 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 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
town where Julia, still unmarried, lives. He goes to visit Julia. But he is surprised
to find that he had no longer feels attracted to her. He compares the memory to of
his love for her to dead stars.

4. CHARACTERS
MAIN CHARACTERS
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.
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.
Julia Salas
-sister-in-law of Judge Del Valle. She is the other girl of Alfredo Salazar that
remains single in her entire life.
OTHER CHARACTERS:
Don Julian
-an old man, a father of Alfredo
Salazar and Carmen.
Carmen
-sister of Alfredo Salas.
Judge Del Valle
- brother-in-law of Julia Salas.

5. CONFLICT
The conflict of the story is begin to Alfredo because he is
not ready to take commitment to Esperanza even they are
engage for four years, although Alfredo seemed uncertain of
his real wants. It is not to mean though that Alfredo is afraid
to commit. He is just fell in love with another woman
named Julia Salas. (love triangle) then add the society that
make an individual criticism, that’s why Alfredo decided to
chose Esperanza

6. PLOT
Exposition
At Don Julian’s house, Carmen was
asking about Alfredo and Esperanza.
Rising action
• Feelings between Alfredo and Julia Salas now develop.
• Alfredo is confronted by the suspicious of Esperanza.
Climax
After the Procession for the Lady of Sorrows. Alfredo
caught up with Julia. It was when Julia found out about
Alfredo’s wedding so she congratulated him. Alfredo
needs to make a very difficult decision. Would he
choose what HE WANTS TO OR 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.
Resolution
Alfredo and Esperanza got married. After 8 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 found that his love for
Julia is a DEAD STARS, it is NON- EXISTENT.

7. THEME
The theme that pertains to Forbidden Love. It is
says that forbidden love is only apparent, and its
banes haunt the person until such time that he
realized his fault.

8. THE END!