Repent, Harlequin! Said the Ticktockman | Essays and Criticism

  • Critical Essay on Repent, Harlequin! Said the Ticktockman

    Henningfeld is a professor of English literature at Adrian College who writes widely on literary topics for academic and educational publications. In this essay, Henningfeld identifies the ways that Ellison exploits the archetype of the Trickster through the character of the Harlequin, through the narrator of the story, and through his own role as writer of the tale.

  • Time in Ellison's Story

    Ullmann is a freelance writer and editor. In the following essay, Ullmann discusses how time is tenuous in Ellison’s story and how the Harlequin is able to exploit that weakness to further his cause of civil disobedience.

  • Marm: A Memorable Character

    In the following essay, Bryant calls Marm ‘‘one of the most memorable characters in modern short fiction’’ and draws connections between his actions and that of a float rider in a Mardi Gras or Carnival parade.

  • Clogging Up the (In)Human Works: Harlan Ellison’s Apocalyptic Postmodern Visions

    In the following essay excerpt, De Los Santos examines the traits of Ellison’s ‘‘underdog’’ or ‘‘trickster’’ characters, including Marm in ‘‘‘Repent Harlequin.’’’

  • A Time for Daring

    The short essay ‘‘One Small Daring Footnote: Circa 2005’’ was especially written by Harlan Ellison to introduce this reprinting of his essay ‘‘A Time for Daring,’’ in which he takes issue with the popular complacence of many science fiction writers toward science fiction writing through the latter 1960s, declaring that many of the underestimated, overlooked science fiction authors are those who actually elevate science fiction to ‘‘a level with all great art.’’