Frances Marella O.

Cristobal G12, ABM-02

21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

Essay

It never changed, it was just modified.

How sorrowful it could have been to hold on a dream that is not existing. Yes, a dream
that is very much comparable to a dead star whose very nature is to deceive people who look up
in the night sky. Just like a dead star which is so far away from the reach of our eyes, and whose
shine could actually be a mere remnant light traveling from its source and reaching earth to be
seen on the hours of darkness.

We, people always suppose that the light we see on the heavens comes from a living star,
and tend to neglect the possibility that it might also come from a dead astronomical body. It’s so
sad to think that there are individuals who dream of something they thought was possible, but
never was.

Just like the character of Alfredo Salazar in the first Filipino modern English language
short story entitled, “Dead Stars” by Paz Marquez-Benitez, published in Philippine Herald on
the year 1925. In the story, Alfredo loved a lady (Julia) although he was already engaged to
somebody else (Esperanza). That lady was his dream, his star. He thought, love was there and
fantasized about the two of them as lovers someday. But just like the concept embodied by a dead
star, his reverie will never happen and will just always remain as an illusion. So obviously, the
story conveys a theme that pertains to forbidden love. Alfredo already belongs to someone but
suddenly the right one comes along. However, he could not love somebody else anymore due to
moral obligation and since he’s already tied with another woman. I believe this part reflects the
society during the time this story was written (1925) where people have respect to this thing
called, “regenerative virtue of institution” and they less accept broken engagement, marriages
and families.

Also, it was noticeable that the character of Alfredo is seemingly weak and purposive -
weak in the sense that he’s a kind of person who’s totally overcome by propriety and purposive
since he has become a tool, a tool whose desire is to go against society; that for once he will not
be a puppet, but the ruler of his own life and fate. Just like the people several decades ago,
they’re weak to the point that they’ve become so much submissive to the foreign authorities who
colonized the country. And purposive for there are some moments in the PH history wherein the
natives fought against intruders in order to gain sovereignty over their own fatherland.
Nationalistic it is.

Another, it was also kind of emphasized in the story that the main character, Mr. Salazar
was tangled in a situation where he needs to choose between what he HAS to do (marry
Esperanza – his fiancé) and what he WANTS to do (freely love Julia). Again, just like the
Filipinos before under the times of American regime (also during Spanish and Japanese
intrusion). They badly wanted to go against the foreign rulers but they could not. In order to not
be punished, they have to obey the foreign-influenced government.

So what I am trying to imply is that, this “Dead Stars” story is more than just a simple
love-triangle account among characters but rather a story with something deep hidden behind it.
Knowing the fact this form of literature was written during the times when the Philippines is still
under the control of Americans, this short story appeared to have a nationalistic touch – with
Julia having a morena skin represents Philippines, Esperanza, a mestiza raised on the grounds of
dignity signifies the Americans, and Alfredo who embodies the many Filipinos that year,
confused. Thus, it indeed reflects the situation that Filipinos has gone through during the
occupation of foreign forces in the country with traditions and culture being influenced. It’s like
an eye-opener to the citizens as well.

Now talking about the composition of the story, I must say that it was undeniably
intricately written in rich prose with a heart-warming message. It was very much flowery for
using figurative speeches widely, unlike the contemporary short stories that we have now in the
Philippines which contains only few metaphorical phrases. Compared to the one-shot stories I’ve
read on Wattpad, this one (Dead Stars) induces in the reader a truly vivid sense of the characters
and their surroundings, and the text is reflectively detailed by using lots of metaphors. While in
the stories nowadays or those in Wattpad, the words used for description of the persona or
settings simply convey the literal or actual meaning. So it’s like one’s comprehension skills is
much more needed in reading the short stories before than the short stories these days.

One more thing I noticed, the short stories that we have now and in the past both depicts
and echoes the happenings in the surroundings and experiences of the humankind. However the
only matter or difference is that the topics or subjects being tackled are dissimilar. Before, it’s
more on about nationalism religion, politics, ethical traditions, colonialism, country, and origins.
On the other hand, the topics that short stories have now are about discrimination, family
relations, technologies, Internet, LGBT, science, or if not it talks about fantasies. Like the one
I’ve read recently it was entitled, “The Girl I Hate” by Mona Awad and it talks about a lesbian
who started to feel a secret affection towards the girl in her workplace but she couldn’t get her,
never. The other one is “The Centipede” which is a sibling-story, that’s one beautiful story as
well.

Another one I observed, “Dead Stars” only used one point of view which is the third
person point of view unlike the modern short stories which use different point of views.

And the last thing I discerned is the settings of the stories. In “Dead Stars,” the setting is
more on the household of the characters, Calle, church, just within the local community. While
conversely, modern short stories setting includes bars, school, workplace, malls, restaurants, and
others.

To cut it short, the old short stories and contemporary short stories vary diversely in
different aspects now. I believe these differences are triggered due to several influences coming
from different forces and trends. Nevertheless, I must say that short stories of the Philippines
never changed (especially in terms of its essence and significance) since change is “radical”. It
was just modified in some minor aspects, so it didn’t change the whole thing up to its roots. So I
reiterate, Philippine short stories never changed, it were just modified.
 Well I would like to end this essay with this certain line said by Esperanza in the story
“Dead Stars” which left a little impression to me, “You need not think of me and of what people
will say.”