24 pages • 48-minute read
The Cold Equations
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Essay Topics
In what ways are Godwin’s ideas of the future informed by his contemporary surroundings? You should refer to what you know about the 1950s in your answer.
How does Godwin set up an opposition between the space frontier and planet Earth? Why is it important for his story that they are drastically different places?
Examine the denouement of Godwin’s story. How and to what effect does the author deploy the element of surprise?
How does Godwin portray the tension between science and humanity? Further, what anxieties about science do you think the story reveals?
How would you describe the story’s attitude toward women? In your opinion and with close reference to the text, do you think there is a consistent or contradictory message about the role of women?
In your opinion and with close reference to the text, to what extent do you consider Godwin’s story to be pessimistic? Is there a margin of hope in the narrative, or is it merely a dystopian tale of what can happen in a world ruled by science?
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