In the short story The Weapon by Fredric Brown, why did Dr. Graham says as his reason for continuing to work on the weapon, despite the fact that it is bad for the world? Also, what does the last line of the story "only a madman “Only a madman would give a loaded retriever to an idiot!"
* i meant(typo) what does the last line mean?*
The answer to the first question is found in the story.
Dr. Graham cannot see that creating a weapon that will kill everything, regardless of the "scientific advancement" achieved, is way more "mad" than giving the gun to his son.
In the short story "The Weapon" by Fredric Brown, Dr. Graham's reason for continuing to work on the weapon despite its potential harm to the world is revealed through a conversation with his friend, Mayor Saunders. Dr. Graham explains that he has been driven by curiosity and a desire to solve the scientific puzzle presented by the weapon. He acknowledges that the weapon can be misused by those in power, but he believes that knowledge cannot be undone, and once it exists, it will be discovered or replicated by someone else eventually.
Regarding the last line of the story, "Only a madman would give a loaded retriever to an idiot!" - it is a metaphorical statement made by Dr. Graham. In this context, it implies that the destructive power of the weapon he has developed should not be given to someone who lacks the necessary wisdom and responsibility to handle it. It reflects Dr. Graham's realization of the potential dangers associated with the weapon falling into the wrong hands.
In the short story "The Weapon" by Fredric Brown, Dr. Graham's reason for continuing to work on the weapon, despite knowing it is bad for the world, is revealed through a conversation he has with Detective Police Inspector Adams. Dr. Graham explains that he believes it is his duty as a scientist to continue his work, regardless of the potential consequences. He feels responsible for the weapon he has created and wants to understand its full capabilities. For him, the pursuit of knowledge and scientific curiosity outweighs the moral implications of his creation.
As for the last line of the story, "Only a madman would give a loaded retriever to an idiot!," it is a concluding statement from Detective Police Inspector Adams. In the story, a "loaded retriever" refers to the weapon Dr. Graham has developed, and an "idiot" refers to the military powers intending to use it. The line emphasizes the dangerous nature of the weapon and criticizes the idea of entrusting such a powerful and destructive tool to those who may not fully comprehend the consequences. It serves as a cautionary statement, suggesting that giving such a weapon to irresponsible individuals has the potential to result in disaster.