Description
In this resource, students read and analyze the science fiction, dystopian short story “‘Repent, Harlequin!’ said the Ticktock Man” by Harlan Ellison, a fast-paced and thought-provoking text in which being late is no longer a minor inconvenience, but a crime punishable by death. The story immediately hooks students while raising powerful questions about conformity, control, individuality, and resistance.
The lesson begins with a before-reading anticipation guide to activate thinking about authority, rules, and obedience. Students are then introduced to key academic vocabulary and brief author background information through a PowerPoint presentation and a corresponding vocabulary graphic organizer, preparing them to navigate Ellison’s unique style and nonlinear structure.
As students read, they complete during-reading and analysis questions that guide comprehension and encourage close reading of figurative language, tone, and theme. Students then respond to a summary writing prompt, reinforcing objective writing skills and textual understanding.
To deepen critical thinking, the lesson includes a theme analysis connection to Henry David Thoreau’s essay Civil Disobedience, allowing students to examine how ideas of rebellion, moral responsibility, and resistance to unjust systems appear across different genres and time periods.
This resource includes teacher guides and answer keys in PDF format, student copies of activities in both editable Word documents and print-ready PDFs, and a PowerPoint presentation for direct instruction. It works especially well in middle school or high school ELA units focused on dystopian literature, science fiction, theme, author’s message, and social commentary, and consistently sparks rich discussion and debate.