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Dead Stars Analysis
Dead Stars Analysis
Reyes
Lit 13
. . he and Julia Salas had gone off to chat in the vinecovered porch. The lone piano in the neighborhood
alternately tinkled and banged away as the player's moods
altered. (p.2 par.30)
Esperanza, his feelings were never as gay as before. Which is another level of emotional change. His marriage
with Esperanza was not unhappy but not necessarily happy. The indifferent relationship they have now is nothing
compared to the eager one they had before. Another change is the realization that he lost his feeling for Julia
Salas after holding on to it for so long. So long that he never really knew when it ended or if it even started.
3. Is the title significant for the character? Why or why not?
Yes. In reality, dead stars are stars which are long dead but have still enough heat residues to
exhibit light. Thus, allowing it to still be visible to the human eye. In this case, dead stars is a kind of metaphor for
Alfredo Salazar and his feelings. Alfredo clung to this so-called love for Julia Salas for so long when it is still
unclear if this feeling of love materialized in the first place. His affection for Julia may be the outcome of the
boredom brought by the familiarity of his long-relationship with Esperanza. The excitement of meeting a lively
Julia Salas ignited his lost youth. This could also be another attempt for a last spurt of hot blood. It could be but
it is not. Because since the beginning Alfredo Salass feelings were dead stars. It is like false hope, an illusion
that he can be with another when he is already committed to one.
Character Analysis
Alfredo Salazar
Alfredo Salazar is the representation of mens greed and indecisiveness. He is long engaged to
Esperanza but still seeks the affection of another, Julia Salas. He represents greed because he desired
the enjoyment he felt with Julia no matter how temporary it was. Less than four years ago, he did the
same with Esperanza. He deluded himself with the idea of love because of the horror of missing it.
He half-committed himself in exchange for immediate excitement. As Don Julian stated, the flame of
a new romance is likely to fade overtime due to the familiarity with one another. That is exactly what
happened between Alfredo and Esperanza. And it is during this cooling phase that Alfredo met
Julia- a new, young and full of life woman, the complete opposite of his present self. He cannot feel
the same exhilaration with Esperanza anymore that is why he wants to try again with Julia.
However, Alfredo is giving Julia something he is not free to give. Even though it was not as
enthusiastic as before, he is still very much committed to Esperanza. This situation forces him to
make a decision between the thing he needs to do (marry Esperanza) and the thing he wants to do (be
with Julia). The fact that he did not immediately inform Julia about his engagement shows how
indecisive of a man he is. In the end, he chooses to do what is right in order to avoid social suicide not
only for him but also for Esperanza and their families. What would people say or would not say about
a long engagement that was cut off on verge of the wedding? Alfredos married life was not
necessarily unhappy however, in the span of 8 years he cant help but cling to the what ifs or rather
the possibilities of the future if he had married Julia. Would he be happier? More alive? No matter, he
still held on to his so-called love for her. However, when he they met again Alfredo realized that
what he felt for Julia were dead stars. Dead stars in the sense that he wasnt even aware of what he
was feeling but he clung to it anyway. A delusion of being and staying in love made by Alfredo
himself, which probably cost him his youth.