Goodwins effective delineation of the frontier, the setting of which the story takes place, initiates the lonesome and cold aspect experienced in the tragic tale. The Cold Equations occurs in a futuristic time period, resulting in a scientific feel and a lack of understanding by the reader. The Stardust had gone through the usual procedure, dropping into normal space to launch the EDS with the fever serum, then vanishing again in hyperspace. (Goodwin 3). The vast expanse of space cannot be comprehended by the human mind, resulting in the lonesome feeling previously stated. During the commencement of the story, much of the diction contains technical and scientific language. Science is free from emotion and personality, forming the cold mood felt by the reader. The authors genius use of chilling and bitter imagery successfully portrays the cold, impersonal environment in the story.
Another aspect of the story that is used to enhance the cold mood of story is the illustrations depicting the inside of the EDS space shuttle. Many characteristics of the EDS are especially futuristic and scientific. The communicator rapped brisk and metallic. This is Ships Records. Give us all information on subjects identification disk. (7) The quote suggests that the communicator is almost robot-like, a precise example of the detached imagery utilized by Goodwin.