Repent Harlequin

“’Repent, Harlequin!’ Said the Ticktockman” Harlan Ellison The story, “’Repent, Harlequin!’ Said the Ticktockman,” by Harlan Ellison illustrates a futuristic society governed by time. In 2389, when the story takes place, man has become so obsessed with punctuality, that if one does not posses this quality, he can be punished by death. Those who become heroes and strive to save the world from destruction by the clock become enemies by the world because they are non-conformists. …

…was a “dangerous criminal” because he was not like the rest of them. By using these rhetorical devices, Ellison get his point across to the reader that anyone can make a difference in society so long as the person does not conform. With these three tools, the struggle between punctual society and the non-conformists is brought to life. Ellison wanted to make it clear that, “You cannot make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.”