"The Cold Equations" Rating: Five Planets
by Tom Godwin  
Astounding, August 1954  
   
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Preview
An EDS (Emergengy Dispatch Ship) pilot with a finite fuel supply is ferrying supplies to men stranded on a remote planet when he discovers a stowaway whose presence imperils the safety of his mission.

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Background Data

Atom Bullet"The Cold Equations" is one of the most famous purely scientific science fiction short stories. James Gunn calls it the touchstone story for hard science fiction, the story that for him encapsulates the qualities of the genre.
Atom BulletGary Westfahl remarks that the story is good physics but lousy engineering because engineers always build a fudge factor into their systems.
Atom BulletThis story was made into a mediocre television movie for the SciFi Channel in 1997.

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Navigation Guide
Atom BulletWhat is your immediate reaction to the story? Why?
Atom BulletCharacterize Marilyn Lee Cross. How believable is her ignorance?
Atom BulletWhat laws has Marilyn broken?
Atom BulletCharacterize Barton, the EDS pilot.
Atom BulletWhy does Barton hesitate to carry out his orders?
Atom BulletHow do those (the commander, the records clerk) on the hypercruiser Stardust react to Barton's report? Are these reactions dated?
Atom BulletWas it cruel or kind to allow Marilyn to contact her brother Gerry?
Atom BulletHow does Marilyn react to her fate? Compare her reaction to Gerry's and explain.
Atom BulletIs Marilyn at fault?
Atom BulletWhat is the story saying about Nature?

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Further Exploration
Atom BulletHow is the theme of the amorality and unyielding nature of the laws of the Universe a uniquely science fictional theme?

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© 2002 Agatha Taormina
Last Revised: January 4, 2005