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.

Popular posts from this blog

In chapter one of The Great Gatsby, what advice does Nick's father give him? How does this make him a good person to tell this story?

Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches... Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches into a discussion of how pe...

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...

Explain and discuss how the definitions of freedom change for the nation, for the freedmen and for southern whites after the Civil War.

After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to... After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to belong to without being ordered to attend religious services (or not to attend) by their mast...