''Repent, Harlequin!'' Said the Ticktockman Study Guide

Ellison does not explain the excerpt by Thoreau or its place in his story; rather, he does explain that he will begin in the middle of his story. An unknown man was becoming a nuisance to those who controlled the system. At first he was just a blip on the radar, but now his antics are cause for concern and have been brought up to the Ticktockman, whose job it is to keep track of all of the time. The Ticktockman holds the cardioplate of the menacing man and demands, softly, yet authoritatively, that he must know who the Harlequin is. (read more)