The Cold Equations

by Tom Godwin

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Student Question

What is the resolution of Tom Godwin's "The Cold Equations"?

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The conflict in Tom Godwin's short story "The Cold Equations" is really only an internal conflict. As the pilot of an Emergency Dispatch Ship (EDS), Barton is accustomed to the sight of death. He also fully understands why the law is in place stating that any stowaways discovered on an EDS must immediately be jettisoned from the ship. Therefore, at the beginning of the story, Barton feels fully prepared to carry out his duty when he realizes there is a stowaway on board. Upon discovering the stowaway is a young, innocent girl who stowed away in hopes of seeing her brother, Barton's resolve to carry out his duty diminishes. He feels it is horrible to take Marilyn's life and refuses to do so until he is sure he has done everything he can to try to save her. Since his internal conflict concerns his inability to do his duty immediately, the story is resolved once Barton is sure he has done all he can for her.

In doing all he can for her, he acquires permission from his captain to keep Marilyn on board for as long as the computers say he can. He also lets her write a letter telling her parents goodbye. He is even able to make radio contact with her brother on Woden, enabling them to say goodbye to each other. Once Barton fulfills these duties to Marilyn before her death and she says, "I'm ready," the story is resolved.

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