LIT 4TH QT

Dead Stars

Dead Stars

• is a poignant tale that weaves together themes of love, illusion, and the passage of time. 

• Set against the backdrop of early 20th-century Manila, Benitez's masterpiece invites us to ponder the complexities of human relationships and the eternal quest for meaning in our lives.

• As we navigate through the pages of this literary gem, we will unravel the intricacies of character dynamics, dissect the symbolism embedded within the narrative, and reflect on the universal truths it unveils.

• Through discussions, analyses, and creative interpretations, we will strive to gain a deeper understanding of not only the text itself but also its relevance in our contemporary world.

• I encourage each of you to approach our exploration of "Dead Stars" with an open mind and a willingness to engage critically with the themes and ideas it presents.

• Let us embrace the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the rich tapestry of Filipino literature and emerge with newfound insights and appreciation for the artistry of storytelling.

Paz Marquez Benitez

• Born in 1894 in Lucena, Tayabas 

• She authored the first Filipino modern English language short story, Dead Stars, published in the Philippine Herald in 1925. 

• Born in the prominent Marquez family. She was among the first generation of Filipino people trained in the American generation system

• Graduated Bachelor of Arts in 1912

Alfredo Salazar 

Son of Don Julian. At his 30s and a bachelor. He is engaged to Esperanza but still to Julia Salas

Esperanza

Fiance of Alfredo. She is a homely woman, literal-minded. She is one of those fortunate woman who have the gift of uniformly beauty

Julia Salas 

Sister-in-law of Judge Del Valle. The other girl of Alfredo remains single for the rest of her life. 

Judge Del Valle 

Brother-in-law of Julia Salas

Donna Adella 

Sister of Julia Salas

Calixta

Note carrier of Alfredo and Esperanza

Carmen

Sister of Alfredo

Don Julian

Father of Alfredo and Carmen

Brigida Samuy

An illusive woman whose Alfredo is looking for

American Literature

___________________ is literature predominantly written or produced in English in the United States of America and its preceding colonies. The American literary tradition thus is part of the broader tradition of English-language literature. American literature, the body of written works produced in the English language in the States. Like other national literatures--American literature was shaped by the history of the country that produced it.

Jansen Beach

• He is an assistant professor in the Department of Writing and Literature, where he is also the fiction editor of Green Mountains Review

• He is the author of two short story collections, Swallowed by the Cold (Graywolf Press) and For Out of the Heart Proceed (Dzanc Books and Dark Sky Books).

• He is currently working on a novel and a translation of a book of short stories. His teaching interests include fiction, contemporary literature, literary publishing and editing, literature in translation, and writing studies.

English literature

The history of English Literature begins with the Germanic tradition of the Anglo-Saxon settlers. Beowulf is the earliest and most popular work in Old English Literature. As the Normans conquested England, Middle English replaced Old English and was used by the father of English Literature, Geoffrey Chaucer in his famous work, The Canterbury Tales. William Shakespeare came to be considered as the most iconic and greatest writer in the history of English Literature as he is revered for his legendary plays and sonnets.

Old English

450 - 1066

Middle English

1006 - 1500

Renaissance

1500 - 1660

Neoclassical

1600 - 1785

Romantic

1785 - 1832

Victorian

1832 - 1901

Edwardian

1901 - 1914

Modern

1914 - 1945

Georgian

1910 - 1936

Post modern

1945 - present

6-word story

• is an entire story told in six words. It is a short narrative that can have all of the emotional themes of longer stories—from funny to dramatic, sad to scary. While these quick stories don’t have the classic beginning, middle, and end of a traditional storyline, they have a subject and verb that give the reader a sense of what’s happened and a bit of conflict.

• Like other forms of short stories or flash fiction, a six-word story allows a reader to consume an entire narrative in just a moment’s time. If you’re trying to get in some short, but challenging, bursts of writing practice throughout your day, try writing six-word stories. 

• These bite-sized narratives are fast and fun.

Ernest Hemingway

The most famous example of a six-word story is frequently credited to ________________ (though there’s little evidence that he actually wrote it):

• “For sale: baby shoes. Never worn.”

Example of 6-word story

1. The smallest coffins are the heaviest 

2. Just married, read the shattered windshield 

3. Passengers, this isn’t your captain speaking 

4. Brought roses home, keys didn’t fit 

5. Mom taught me how to shave

6. Introduced myself to mother again today 

7. Strangers. Friends. Best friends. Lovers. Strangers. 

8. Jumped. Then I changed my mind.

Have a small narrative arc

The key to writing your own six-word story is to take an original idea, filter out most of the words, and leave the most informative ones in, to tell a whole story

Entice the reader to fill in the blanks.

In just six little words, you can create a powerful story that evokes emotions. Use what’s left on the cutting room floor to draw the reader in even further. In other words, part of your story will be in what’s left unsaid. Tease the audience with six words that let their mind fill in the blanks with the bigger narrative and give them a sense of a complete story.

Choose your words carefully.

With only six slots to fill, you don’t have room to waste with weak word choice. Choose words that have purpose and meaning and drive your story forward. Shorten phrases with contractions to make room for nouns and verbs. Use punctuation marks, colons, and em dashes, to join different phrases without having to use conjunctions.

Write your own story.

Find inspiration in your own life and write a little memoir. Try thinking of a pivotal moment and boil it down to six words that carefully sum up your experience and convey your emotions.