The Great Gatsby Essay, Research Paper

COLD EQUASIONS

Barton & Marilyn changed their view of eachother from the beginning of the story to the

end of the story. “The Cold Equasions” by Tom Godwin, two characters met and felt one way

about one another; but by the end of the story, Barton & Marilyn were feeling the opposite then

the way they first did.

At the beginning of this story, Batron and Marliyn did not have good views of eachother.

For example, Marilyn said “Your going to do it-Your going to make me die.”(p.14) when she

realized that she could not avoid her fate. Marliyn said that because, she was suprised to learn

that she must die. Marliyn had no idea that being a stowaway would have such penalties as death.

In addition, Barton said “he ment it the way it sounded.”(p.14) when Marliyn didn’t understand the

commander say that Barton must kill her. Barton said that because, he knew that he must follow

the rules, and kill her. Barton felt uncomfertable about killing the stowaway, because the

stowaway was a girl. Barton and Marilyn did not like eachother at the beginning.

Barton and Marilyn changed their views of eachother in the end of the story. For

example, Marliyn said “At first I was scared to die, I thought only of myself.”(p.24) Marilyn was

very understanding about what must happen to her. Marilyn accepted the results of her action

with dignity, and she came to respent Barton for what he must do. In addition, Barton said, “Do

you think I could ever let it happen if I wasn’t sure.” (p.27) When he was feeling sorry for

Marilyn. Barton was thinking form Marilyn’s point of view and knew what courage Marilyn must

have, to follow through with this. Barton was feeling sorry for Marilyn, even though she was

understanding, Barton could still tell that she was scared. In the end of the story Barton and

Marilyn thought better of eachother.

Character change between Barton and Marilyn in the story “The Cold Equasions”by Tom

Godwin took place through out the whole story, from beginning to end.Barton and Marilyn had no

good thoughts of eachother at the beginning, but after their suspenesful journey in space they

ended up both respecting eachother.