The Cold Equations - Assignment PDF

Preview

Summary

Assignment...

Description

The Cold Equations 1. “It was a law not of men’s choosing but made imperative by the circumstances of the space frontier.” -

“Any stowaway discovered in an EDS shall be jettisoned immediately following discovery.” This law was imposed in the Interstellar Regulations, given the systematic schedule that was established during the first exploration parties. Man had no choice but to state this crucial rule, being that the communication between isolated colonies was a problem and the cruisers, running on tight schedules, could not delay themselves, for the confusion and uncertainty wrecked the complex interdependence amongst old Earth and the new worlds of the frontier. This law was vastly important for the organization of the galactic frontier and men were not in a position to refute it.

2. “The call would be futile, but he could not, until he had exhausted that one vain hope, seize her and thrust her into the air lock as he would an animal – or a man.” -

Barton calls Commander Delhart in a knowingly unsuccessful attempt to evade Marilyn’s death. His actions demonstrate how he battles with his responsibilities

as an EDS pilot and his values as a human. He was incredibly bewildered by the fact that the stowaway was a young girl, causing him to adjust differently to a situation that disrupted his monotonous schedule. He is regretful for the consequences that await Marilyn, yet he is aware of what he must do, for saving her life could mean the loss of 7 others. His change in attitude towards this particular stowaway foreshadows the impact this experience will ultimately have in his life. 3. “Existence required order, and there was order; the laws of nature, irrevocable and immutable. Men could learn to use them, but men could not change them.” 4. “The men of the frontier knew – but how was a girl from Earth to fully understand? h amount of fuel will not power an EDS with a mass of m plus x safely to its destination. To him and her brother and parents she was a sweet-faced girl in her teens; to the laws of nature she was x, the unwanted factor in a cold equation.” -

The laws of nature were not to be rebutted and held no compassion. These were indifferent to the fragility of life, especially Marilyn’s innocent one. One’s

unconscious and immature actions would be shown no sympathy by the laws of nature. This metaphor clearly emphasizes the uselessness of men against these laws, and how they are completely unconcerned by our person, we humans are simply an unwanted variable in their equation. 5. “She had unknowingly subjected herself to the penalty of a law that recognized neither innocence nor youth nor beauty, that was incapable of sympathy or leniency.” -

Marilyn’s thoughtless actions ultimately make her face cruel and somber repercussions. She was incapable of changing her fate, for no one could help her beyond what had already been done.

6. “Regret was illogical – and yet, could knowing it to be illogical ever keep it away?” -

Barton’s job required him to be subjective and effective when getting work done, yet his morals as a human were excruciatingly difficult to control. For killing a teenage girl, as he would a man or an animal, was eerie and sordid in comparison. He was well aware that feeling regret was pointless, considering the situations he experienced as an EDS pilot, yet he struggled internally. Barton knew the consequences of Marilyn’s actions; he was conscious of what awaited her from the beginning, still he prepared her in the best way possible for her death, showing empathy.

7. “At first I was so afraid to die that I was a coward and though only of myself. Now I see how selfish I was.” -

Marilyn’s character develops and matures increasingly throughout the time she awaits her death. The particular situation in which she finds herself lets the reader perceive that she is evidently sophomoric but also ignorant, given the fact that she endeavored into something without completely acknowledging the consequences of her actions. Initially, she believes denial is the best solution for her problem, a somewhat juvenile approach. However, while she expresses her innermost thoughts and fears to Barton, she eventually reevaluates herself, comprehending and fully accepting her fate.

8. “I didn’t do anything to die for… I didn’t do anything…” -

Barton was undoubtedly impacted by his encounter with jovial and beautiful Marilyn Lee Cross. Not only would he “have only the memories to remind him;

only the nights of fear, when a blue-eyed girl in gypsy sandals would come in his dreams again…” but these words still echoed hauntingly in the void she had left behind her. It can be safely inferred that Barton...