The Cold Equations Play Summary

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Our group selected our play presentation on “The Cold Equations” by Tom Godwin. This play is about a girl named Marilyn who was ejected from the Stardust aircraft. Our group selected this play so we could create an exciting, interesting, and suspenseful alternative ending. We titled our alternative ending, The Slightly Warmer Equation because of the happier and lighter storyline that our play has in comparison to “The Cold Equations” dark and dreadful storyline. The reason we did this was so that we could convey to the audience that Marilyn was getting closer to solving her own life equation and living happily ever after. The main conflict in the play is that Marilyn has floated onto the Octagon spacecraft belonging to aliens. She is then discovered …show more content…

It is easily identifiable that Malron is the protagonist through his actions within the play. An example being when Malron stops himself from killing Marilyn. Rather than shooting her in the head, he pulls away the gun and begs his parents to allow Marilyn to stay aboard the Octagon. The reason that this shows he is the protagonist is because He states specifically to his parents, “Wait! I mean, she isn't really doing any harm, we could always just let her work on our spacecraft. You said we needed a new cook anyway! And…And…What if she was meant to come here for a reason?” (1.4). This quote shows his courageous act for Marilyn, making him the identifiable protagonist. As for the antagonist within our play, it is Malron’s mother and father. The reason that they are the antagonist is because of his disapproval of Malron wanting to save Marilyn’s life. The father directly states to Malron, “Look at her! She is already passed out, just make it easy and kill her. Besides, are you insane? A human? Working on my spacecraft! I couldn't have it!” (1.4). After this statement Malron’s mother agrees and questions why Malron wants to save Marilyn. These comments made by Malron’s parents are what make them the antagonists because of their opposition of what Malron is doing. . However, as the story proceeds we decided to make the parents accepting of Malron’s decision to save Marilyn because they care about their son's happiness. The protagonist and antagonist and are what made the story enjoyable for the

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