In “Repent, Harlequin!’ Said the Ticktockman”, Harlan Ellison tells the story of a man who brings chaos in a controlling system. Robert Frost’s poem “Out, Out-” focuses on a boy that lost his hand while working and later died. Both texts show the reality of our lives and how it is expected to conform by possessing similar and contrasting use of symbolism and tone. The poem centers around a little boy that dies after he cuts his hand while cutting wood with a saw outside in the yard. His family moves on with their lives since life continues even after a loved one passes away. “Out,Out-” was written to display how soldiers deal with losing fellow soldiers during war. However, it was also based off of a true story. In 1910, a young man had the
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Marm), and Pretty Alice. The Ticktockman is a control freak that has the ability to decide how long one may live. Everett was the secret identity of Harlequin in order to create disorder without facing the consequences. Pretty Alice was Everett’s girlfriend, who dislikes Harlequin. The boy in “Out, Out-” conforms by doing what is expected of him while Everett in “Repent, Harlequin!’ Said the Ticktockman” refuses to conform until he is forced to in the end. This shows how difficult it is to go against those with higher power. It’s easier to go along with the norm at a young age than it is when one is older. The injustices within one’s society become clearer as one grows …show more content…
Frost’s uses a solemn and cynical tone of voice. “Out, Out-” starts off with beautiful imagery of the countryside, but it soon turns dark as the poem progresses. During the time this poem was written it was normal in day-to-day life for a child to do a grown man’s job. A child lost his life by “Doing a man’s work, though a child at heart” (Frost,24). He stated in the poem: “No more to build on there. And they, since they / Were not the one dead, turned to their affairs” (Frost, 34-35). Frost seems to lack concern when the little boy’s family doesn’t mourn his death. Likewise, Ellison uses sarcasm and satire. It’s ironic that people became slaves to time when time used to be just a tool created by humankind. Ellison brings humor into the story through the Harlequin. He voices his opinions towards the Ticktockman in a way that other citizens don’t have the guts to. The satirical tone is best portrayed when Harlequin gets caught and tells the Ticktockman to “Get stuffed” (Ellison, 80). Both works demonstrate how one turn of event can bring misfortune into people's lives. “Repent, Harlequin!’ Said the Ticktockman” by Harlan Ellison and “Out, Out-” by Robert Frost both depict the sad reality of life. Both writers focus on using symbolism and tone to convey their
Marm), and Pretty Alice. The Ticktockman is a control freak that has the ability to decide how long one may live. Everett was the secret identity of Harlequin in order to create disorder without facing the consequences. Pretty Alice was Everett’s girlfriend, who dislikes Harlequin. The boy in “Out, Out-” conforms by doing what is expected of him while Everett in “Repent, Harlequin!’ Said the Ticktockman” refuses to conform until he is forced to in the end. This shows how difficult it is to go against those with higher power. It’s easier to go along with the norm at a young age than it is when one is older. The injustices within one’s society become clearer as one grows …show more content…
Frost’s uses a solemn and cynical tone of voice. “Out, Out-” starts off with beautiful imagery of the countryside, but it soon turns dark as the poem progresses. During the time this poem was written it was normal in day-to-day life for a child to do a grown man’s job. A child lost his life by “Doing a man’s work, though a child at heart” (Frost,24). He stated in the poem: “No more to build on there. And they, since they / Were not the one dead, turned to their affairs” (Frost, 34-35). Frost seems to lack concern when the little boy’s family doesn’t mourn his death. Likewise, Ellison uses sarcasm and satire. It’s ironic that people became slaves to time when time used to be just a tool created by humankind. Ellison brings humor into the story through the Harlequin. He voices his opinions towards the Ticktockman in a way that other citizens don’t have the guts to. The satirical tone is best portrayed when Harlequin gets caught and tells the Ticktockman to “Get stuffed” (Ellison, 80). Both works demonstrate how one turn of event can bring misfortune into people's lives. “Repent, Harlequin!’ Said the Ticktockman” by Harlan Ellison and “Out, Out-” by Robert Frost both depict the sad reality of life. Both writers focus on using symbolism and tone to convey their