Dead Stars Discussion Paper

Kim Aldrin B. Mendoza

AC121

1. The author would like to create a striking statement by presenting the conflicts of the story in the beginning. Beginning the story in media res, the audience will become more engaged with the story and would even try to unlock the essence of the story through going along the pages. The style also goes well with the theme and plot of the story since it created questions upon the minds of the readers on how the love story and the conflict rose.

2. Alfredo is the man who happens to fall in love with two women, one with his fiancé and the other with another girl he has just known of. He was once a very enthusiastic and excited man when it comes to love. He was once a very expressive man to his girl, but has changed over the past few weeks. However, he has gone confused and became selfish over his feelings through meeting another girl. Physically, he is tall, slender and moved with an indolent ease that verged on grace. He had a straight recalcitrant hair, thin face and astonishing freshness of lips.

3. The climax presented the problem of Alfredo in choosing between Esperanza and Julia. His mind played "What-if" questions with his heart and he became confused upon his true emotional and affectionate desire. His choice, however, was still to marry Esperanza and wanted to make her happy. The decision was a mere manifestation of keeping his true feelings and just letting things flow. He just did not want Esperanza to get hurt and was afraid of what most of the people would say if he did not marry his fiancé. Generally, his decision was just brought about his present environment. Alfredo was so much contained and just wanted to make everything alright by marrying Esperanza despite of his confusion with Julia.

4. His problem wasn't merely choosing between the two women. It also involved marriage and his future life with his partner; if, or if he wouldn't be happy with Esperanza, if he would be happier with Julia instead. It also involved, as earlier said, the participation of his environment including the people who are concerned with their situation. Alfredo was very much affected of the people's point of view when he would or wouldn't marry Esperanza. The choice between doing what's right and doing what would make him happy had been the main conflict.

5. There are many symbolisms used by the author in the course of the story. The title itself had a very wonderful meaning. Dead Stars are celestial bodies that have long been extinguished, but its light shed is very slow making it appear as if they were still there. In the story, it symbolizes secrets which remained untold, or a dream which may never be achieved. The name Esperanza, stands for "hope" in Spanish, which also showed the undying hope of Esperanza upon the love of Alfredo. The girl never gave up; that Alfredo would love her truthfully and the same as when they were younger. Calle Luz is where Julia Salas lived. She became the "dead star" or the unachievable dream for Alfredo. Luz meant light and the Julia, the "dead star" of Alfredo's life, shed light upon where she lived: in Calle Luz. Calle Royal represented their wealthy living, nearly the same of being a royalty since their family's line of work is being a lawyer.

6. Esperanza believed in the virtues and lessons which were taught in the church especially in having partners and talking about marriage. The church played a very important role on inculcating virtues and values to the characters which then made a lasting impression to their personalities. The idealistic theory of being loyal to a partner and abidance in the laws of the church is inherent within Esperanza, which made her a very