TickTockMan
I think the ant world described in "Departmental," by Robert Frost is a fitting metaphor for the society in the story, "'Repent, Harlequin!' Said the Ticktockman," by Harlan Ellison. The ant society in "Departmental" is based on keeping up with the pace and getting all of their duties done. An ant comes across another ant that has passes away and thinks to himself that if he runs across someone that works for the higher master he'll tell him about it. Insinuating that if he doesn't run into anyone he is not going out of his way to let anyone know about. The ants are described as "being a curious race, [but are not] impressed" or bothered by their dead. (715) The ant society is described or portrayed as one that is very "departmental." If you are a mere worker that is what you do. It is not your job to do the work of those above you. If there is something that needs to be done, but is beyond your level you are to keep on with your own duties and not get of track by taking care of the matters of those above you or below you. In addition to the characteristics of the societies in both stories being similar they are both science fiction stories. "Departmental" is based on a society of ants and "Repent, Harlequin!" is
Ellison used imagery to display the Harlequin's rebellion as well as the societies actions and thoughts. In illustrating the robot-like lives of his society, Ellison wrote, "He could hear the metronomic, left-right-left of the 2:47 shift, entering the Timkin roller-bearing plant in their sneakers... he heard the right-left-right of the 5:00 AM formation, going home." (396) This quote shows the punctuality of the people, as well as the organization of the strict society they live. The shift was not 2:45, but rather exactly 2:47, not sooner or later. In addition, the workers that were arriving took steps "left-right-left" whereas the ones going home walked "right-left-right." This allegorizes exactly how over-organized society was. There was so much control over the people that they no longer did what they wanted to, or what they felt was right. They automatically did what law said to, forgetting their own feelings and opinions on whether or not the laws were morally correct. Ellison is showing us that we refrain from conforming because without reforms, no progress would be made in life. In order to keep track of the populace and control the amount of life one was allowed, each person had their set own of a "time-card and cardioplate." (399) These were futuristic inventions that signify the control that the Ticktockman had over his people. In addition, many futuristic terms were used to
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Approximate Word count = 1652
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
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