Repent harlequin said the ticktockman questions. "Repent, Harlequin!" Said the Ticktockman 2022-12-24

Repent harlequin said the ticktockman questions Rating: 4,2/10 120 reviews

"Repent Harlequin!" Said the Ticktockman" is a science fiction short story written by Harlan Ellison in 1965. It tells the story of a society in which time is the most valuable commodity and people are punished for being late. The protagonist, known only as the "Harlequin," becomes a symbol of resistance against this oppressive system, encouraging people to value humanity over efficiency. Through the story, Ellison raises questions about the dangers of a society that values productivity above all else and the importance of individuality in a conformist society.

One of the main questions raised by "Repent Harlequin!" is the role of the individual in a society that values conformity and productivity. The story's society is highly regulated, with every aspect of people's lives, including their leisure activities, being carefully monitored and controlled. The Ticktockman, the person in charge of enforcing these rules, is depicted as a ruthless and efficient bureaucrat who punishes those who do not conform to the strict schedule.

The Harlequin, on the other hand, represents a challenge to this rigid system. He is an individual who resists conformity and values humanity over efficiency. He encourages others to do the same, leading a rebellion against the Ticktockman's rule. Through the Harlequin, Ellison raises the question of whether it is better to conform to societal norms or to stand up for one's own beliefs, even if it means going against the rules.

Another question raised by the story is the dangers of a society that values productivity above all else. The society in "Repent Harlequin!" is obsessed with efficiency and is willing to sacrifice the well-being of its citizens in order to maintain a high level of productivity. The Ticktockman is more concerned with enforcing strict schedules than with the happiness or well-being of the people. This raises the question of whether such a society is truly desirable, as it seems to prioritize productivity over humanity.

Overall, "Repent Harlequin!" Said the Ticktockman" is a thought-provoking story that raises questions about the role of the individual in a conformist society and the dangers of valuing productivity above all else. It encourages readers to consider the importance of individuality and the value of humanity in a world that often prioritizes efficiency over people.

“Repent, Harlequin!” Said the Ticktockman Themes

repent harlequin said the ticktockman questions

It was a minor diversion. The words had burned in the sky, and of course the authorities were there, lying in wait for him. Marm, and one day quite a long time later, the Harlequin appeared on the communications web, appearing elfish and dimpled and bright-eyed, and not at all brainwashed, and he said he had been wrong, that it was a good, a very good thing indeed, to belong, and be right on time hip-ho and away we go, and everyone stared up at him on the public screens that covered an entire city block, and they said to themselves, well, you see, he was just a nut after all, and if that's the way the system is run, then let's do it that way, because it doesn't pay to fight city hall, or in this case, the Ticktockman. And the construction gang on the Shopping Center received an urgent order from the office of the Master Timekeeper that the dangerous criminal known as the Harlequin was atop their spire, and their aid was urgently needed in apprehending him. An elfish grin spread across his tanned features, and his dimples appeared for a moment. Americans fear the Soviet way of life, seeing in communism a denial of individuality. The conclusion of the story illustrates the ways in which small changes made by individuals can have an impact, however minor, upon the world.

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"Repent, Harlequin!" said the Ticktockman

repent harlequin said the ticktockman questions

How it starts: A desk pad. Where did he get the money to buy a hundred and fifty thousand dollars' worth of jelly beans? The physicians,' gathered in solemn conclave, roared with laughter, and accepted the Harlequin's apologies with exaggerated bowing and posturing, and a merry time was had by all, who thought the Harlequin was a regular foofaraw in fancy pants; all, that is, but the authorities, who had been sent out by the office of the Ticktockman, who hung there like so much dockside cargo, hauled up above the floor of the amphitheater in a most unseemly fashion. Women in canary yellow chitons and men in pseudo-Tyrolean outfits that were jade and leather and fit very tightly, save for the balloon pants. Which is the end of the footnote, and all the point that need be made, except don't laugh, because that is what would happen to the Harlequin if ever the Ticktockman found out his real name. Why let them tell you to hurry and scurry like ants or maggots? They are the standing army, and the militia, jailors, constables, posse comitatus, etc. In most cases there is no free exercise whatever of the judgment or of the moral sense; but they put themselves on a level with wood and earth and stones; and wooden men can perhaps be manufactured that will serve the purposes as well. Even in the cubicles of the hierarchy, where fear was generated, seldom suffered, he was called the Ticktockman.

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‘Repent, Harlequin!’ Said the Ticktockman Summary & Analysis

repent harlequin said the ticktockman questions

Discuss this statement with the specific references to the book Min. But they had all been waiting since seven, and it wrecked hell with their schedules. It was broadcast across every channel of the communications web. He had become a personality, something they had filtered out of the system many decades ago. When police lie in wait for him, expecting him to be characteristically late, he instead shows up early, turns their own traps against them, and delights the attendees of the conference. He skimmed over a slidewalk, purposely dropping a few feet to crease the tassels of the ladies of fashion, andinserting thumbs in large earshe stuck out his tongue, rolled his eyes, and went wugga-wugga-wugga.

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"Repent, Harlequin!" Said the Ticktockman

repent harlequin said the ticktockman questions

The words had burned in the sky, and of course the authorities were there, lying in wait for him. But down below, ah, down below, where the people always needed their saints and sinners, their bread and circuses, their heroes and villains, he was considered a Bolivar; a Napoleon; a Robin Hood; a Dick Bong Ace of Aces ; a Jesus; a Jomo Kenyatta. OhmiGod, Marshall, whatti we do, whatti we do, Marshall omigodmarshall. It was a minor diversion. Ellison is showing us that we refrain from conforming because without reforms, no progress would be made in life. After all, his name was Everett C. But no one called him that to his mask.

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"'Repent, Harlequin!' Said the Ticktockman"

repent harlequin said the ticktockman questions

I would suggest that you listen to the story on YouTube. You're always late, so why do you tell me these dumb things? The second date is today's date — the date you are citing the material. But no one called him that to his mask. I'd rather be dead than live in a dumb world with a bogeyman like you. I do hope you will all be able to join me. On the other side, the Harlequin nodded to himself.

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“'Repent, Harlequin!' Said the Ticktockman,”, Sample of Essays

repent harlequin said the ticktockman questions

Ellison also wrote during a time in which speculative fiction was moving beyond its pulp roots and experimenting in form and style. This is the case for Everett C. Now begin in the middle, and later learn the beginning; the end will take care of itself. Furthermore, the diction helped distinguish between the three types of people present in society. After the debacle in which, through the Harlequin's attention to personal safety, no one was seriously injured , the workers tried to reassemble, and assault him again, but it was too late. They no longer cared or felt anything for another human being. They used techniques of criminology.

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"Repent, Harlequin!" Said the Ticktockman Analysis

repent harlequin said the ticktockman questions

After all, there was a war on! The citation above will include either 2 or 3 dates. Yet such as these even are commonly esteemed good citizens. It was the only expedient thing to do. The shift was delayed seven minutes. Must you always be out in that ghastly clown suit, running around axunoying people? You're always late, so why do you tell me these dumb things? They have the same sort of worth only as horses and dogs.

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Questions to Consider

repent harlequin said the ticktockman questions

The Harlequin laughed and laughed, and apologized profusely. Must you always be out in that ghastly clown suit, running around annoying people? The Harlequin is shown to be dangerous on multiple fronts: first, he is individualistic in a way that is deviant and regressive, and second, he is an inspiration to the lower classes, who view him as a kind of folk hero. This time-card I'm holding in my left hand has a name on it, but it is the name of what he is, not who he is. The Potsdam Conference effectively divided up Eastern Europe into spheres of influence. It was a minor diversion. They used Raoul Mitgong, but he didn't help.

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