Question

Is the pilot in "The Cold Equations" a "good" person or a "bad" person? What examples from the story make you think this? Explain your answer in three to five sentences.

Answer 1

Marilyn is a good person in this story, because all she wanted to do was see her brother. so she went on board of a medicine ship. the ship that Marilyn when on board of, cant hold anymore weight then the amount that it has already. So if the captain wants to live, and deliver the medicine to the planet, then he is going to have to throw her off board. Marilyn does not know that though, she thinks that she will only get fined.

Answer 2

In this short science-fiction story, the main protagonist Marilyn is a good person. All she wants is to see her brother and to be assured that he is alive. Therefore, she went on board of a medicine ship, although she knew that it was against laws. However, the ship that can not hold anymore weight. In an exceptional situation when captain wants to live the ship in order to deliver the medicine to the planet, then he has to get rid of Marilyn. In the end, she is jettisoned into the space. The story in general shows the sacrifice of the lead character for the good deed.