Skip to main content

In "The Cold Equations" by Tom Godwin, what does Commander Delhart suggest that Barton do about the stowaway?

In Tom Godwin's short story "The Cold Equations," Commander Delhart gives commands rather than suggestions just as any commander of a ship or interstellar cruiser would. However, he shows the utmost compassion while giving commands and granting permission.His first command is that Barton follow through with the regulationof ejecting the stowaway. Upon learning that the stowaway is an innocent girl, he quickly understands that Barton contacted him to see if anything could be...

In Tom Godwin's short story "The Cold Equations," Commander Delhart gives commands rather than suggestions just as any commander of a ship or interstellar cruiser would. However, he shows the utmost compassion while giving commands and granting permission.

His first command is that Barton follow through with the regulation of ejecting the stowaway. Upon learning that the stowaway is an innocent girl, he quickly understands that Barton contacted him to see if anything could be done for her. But, since the Stardust cannot afford to make any unscheduled stops and the colonists absolutely need their medical supplies that are about to be delivered by Barton, Commander Delhart must give the following sad answer:



I'm sorry--I can do nothing. This cruiser must maintain its schedule; the life of not one person but the lives of many depend on it.



He then orders Barton to "go through with it."


After Barton gives an incomplete report of Marilyn's execution to Ship's Records, Commander Delhart deduces it is because Barton is going to reduce the speed at which he decelerates to .10 in order to keep her on the ship as long as possible. Despite the fact that it is against regulations for an EDS pilot to change course or deceleration speed, Commander Delhart once again shows compassion by agreeing with Barton's decision and feeding the data to the computer. Commander Delhart then returns with the command that Barton can remain at .10 until 19:10, allowing Marilyn 57 minutes on board. After again showing compassion for Marilyn's plight, Commander Delhart concludes his command with the following words:



[Y]ou will not deviate from these new instructions. You will complete your report at nineteen ten.



Hence, though Commander Delhart must order Barton to eject Marilyn in order to fulfill his emergency mission, Commander Delhart gives his orders while showing as much compassion as humanly possible under the circumstances.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why did Tybalt attack and kill Mercutio instead of Romeo, who he had originally been targeting?

Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio... Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio and Benvolio, Mercutio responds "And but one word with one of us?/ Couple it w...
Post a Comment
Read more