Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Summary
“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”, written by Joyce Carol Oates, is a short story that takes place in a 1960’s American suburb where tight jeans and slicked back hair is the popular style. The story takes place around a young fifteen year old girl, Connie, who has family issues and enjoys going out with her friends whether it be to the mall, movies, or drive-in restaurant. At the restaurant, Connie is noticed by a man with an odd car who later finds her alone at her house and seductively forces her to come with him and leave her family. This short story demonstrates an allegory. While on the surface it seems to be just a story of a vain girl who is “voluntarily abducted”, it actually represents the temptation of death (Oats 1). …show more content…
Connie’s laugh was “cynical and drawling at home” while at the mall it was “highpitched and nervous.” Furthermore, her lips were “pale and smirking most of the time,” but were “ bright and pink” when she went out. In the movie, upon arrival at the mall, Connie and her friends put on jewelry, put on makeup, and adjusted their clothes in a fashion that was not the way they had beforehand. This scene in the movie clearly demonstrates how Connie differs at home compared to when she goes out, which supports the exposition by introducing traits of Connie. Keeping this characteristic of two different Connie’s the same was important because this two-sidedness of Connie played a key role in characterizing her. This made so that Connie would be very noticable when she went out with her friends which made boys gravitate towards her, including her later stalker, Arnold …show more content…
The girls fell asleep on the beach and were now running late. They rush off the beach with exclamations of “Oh my God!”, “Look at the time!”, and “We’re never going to get there!” They then hitch a ride in a stranger’s truck because one of the girl’s parents were supposed to pick them up at another location. As soon as the movie starts, they are revealed irresponsible, immature, and silly which gives the audience a good idea of how they will be behaving further along the story. This additional scene not included in Oates’s short story only helps to inform the reader early on of how Connie and her friends act which adds to the movie’s
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Summary
503 Words | 3 PagesIn the beginning, Oates creates a false sense of security. She is at home and Connie seems safe, this is what makes what happens next unexpected. After this, a strange man rolls up to Connie's home, and Connie is only worried about how she looks, not her safety. This makes you wonder what is going to happen, and if their is a reason she is scared. Then, the pace of the story completely changes when Arnold Friend starts to approach Connie and say things that make her feel uneasy.
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Summary
1120 Words | 5 PagesEventually, Arnold convinces Connie to cross this barrier in order to protect her family. As she leaves her home, Oates explains that there is “so much land that Connie had never seen before and did not recognize except to know that she was going to it” (377). Hideous things will indeed occur to Connie after this. She is consumed by bright sunlight while
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Character Analysis Essay
875 Words | 4 PagesConnie does not have any relationship with her father, which allowed her to be vulnerable to older men. Oates describes the father’s character as, “…away at work most of the time and when he came home he wanted supper and he read the newspaper at supper he went to bed. He didn’t bother talking much to them…” (26). Her parent’s lack of effective communication allowed Connie to seek validation in all the wrong places.
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Summary
734 Words | 3 PagesOates's story, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”, is related to Bob Dylan and influenced by his song. The lyrics include, “The vagabond who’s rapping at your door is standing in the clothes that you once wore, strike another match, go start anew, and it’s all over now, Baby Blue." Just like the song, Arnold took Connie away, and she was scared to defy him. In the story, Connie also recognizes Arnold’s voice that sounds like the voice of the radio DJ, Bobby King, which is connected to Bob Dylan. The story also takes place in the 1960s, which Oates had done purposely because it was during a social revolution were women were fighting for their rights and independence from men.
Vanity In Where Are You Going Where Have You Been
947 Words | 4 PagesWhen gathering with her friends, Connie would say she was going to one place but was actually going across the street to hang out with the guys in her town. One man in particular noticed Connie and she brushed it off, as she wanted people's eyes on her. The man later on finds Connie at her house and asks her strange questions and it is revealed that the man has been watching her and knows all about her.
Summary Of Short Story 'Where Are You Going Where Have You Been?'
224 Words | 1 PagesIf you are old enough to remember, you can think back to the memories of when you are a kid and understand the memories as a child are the best memories that you have in your life; yet eventually you mature into ann adult. Like the book, Catcher in the Rye, the short story Where Are You Going Where Have You Been? by Joyce Carol Oats is about Connie, an adolescent girl, wanting to stay in her child-like life and not mature into a adult. Fortunately, Connie has some help coming into the adult world with the manifestation of a person named Arnold Friend and Ellie.
Donnie Oates Character Analysis
132 Words | 1 PagesThroughout this short story, Oates uses literary elements to illustrate Connie which is the main character of the story. Oates illustrates Connie as a teenager, who is trying to find herself as a grown mature woman. She continuously worries about her appearance or the way she acts around others. She also shared two different personalities, “everything bout her had two sided to it, one for home and one for anywhere that was not home” (Oates 1). It is definitely obvious how hard Connie tries to create an adult persona.
Foreshadowing In Where Are You Going Where Have You Been
1068 Words | 5 PagesWith the constant nagging, Connie wished that it was just all over with. “She makes me want to throw up sometimes.” (Oates 126). Despite the animosity, there was
Archetypes In Where Are You Going Where Have You Been
1428 Words | 6 PagesHome is where the heart is, but what if home is no longer safe? Joyce Carol Oates explores this concept in her 1966 short story, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been”. On surface level, this story appears to discuss a rebellious young girl named Connie and her confrontation with Arnold Friend, a stalker. The ending leaves the reader to assume that Arnold Friend plans to sexually assault the young girl.
Symbolism In 'Where Are You Going Where Have You Been?'
700 Words | 3 PagesIn the coming of age story “Where Are You Going Where Have You Been?” Joyce Carol Oates uses symbolism, conflict, and the third person to foreshadow fifteen-year-old Connie’s unfortunate, yet untimely fate. While one may think that the conflict stems from Connie’s promiscuity, it is clear to see her promiscuity is only a result to a much bigger conflict, her mother’s constant nagging and disapproval, alongside the lack of attention from her father. the author paints a vivid picture of what happens when a fifteen-year-old girl such as Connie goes elsewhere to find to find the love, attention, and approval that she lacks at home. All which is vital for her growth and wellbeing as a person.
Where Are You Going Quotes
459 Words | 2 PagesDue to hormones, teenagers are moody and may even lash out at their parents when their parents try to control them. This is the same situation for Connie, even as a girl in the 60s. She wanted to be an
Literary Devices In Where Are You Going Where Have You Been
804 Words | 4 PagesIn her short story "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?", Joyce Carol Oates utilizes a variety of literary devices to strengthen the story in its entirety. This short story is essentially about a 16-year-old girl named Connie and the conflict between her desire to be mature and her desire to remain an adolescent. Throughout the story, the audience sees this conflict through her words in addition to through her behavior. The audience is also introduced to Arnold Friend, a rather peculiar man, who essentially kidnaps her. This short story by Joyce Carol Oates functions and is additionally meaningful because of her usage of literary devices.
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Psychological Analysis
657 Words | 3 PagesThe short story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates can be interpreted in a multitude of ways due to its ambiguity. A psychological lens, however, provides the most accurate viewpoint for analyzing the story as it clarifies certain obscure scenes and actions of Connie. One psychological issue of Connie that is easily inferred from the beginning of the story is her insecurity about her looks. Connie constantly worries about the way that she looks and takes any opportunity to do so, “craning her neck to glance into mirrors or checking other people's faces to make sure her own was all right” (1).
Character Analysis Of Connie In 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been'
984 Words | 4 PagesConnie’s first encounter with Friend was at a diner when he stated to Connie, “Gonna get you, baby”(pg.1142). Because Connie was use to this type of attention, she did not view it as strange that an older man was calling her in such away. However, if Connie had seen Friend as dangerous instead of just another man, her kidnapping might have been prevented. Later in the story when Friend showed up as Connie’s house, she walked outside and talked to him instead of questioning how he knew where she lived or calling the police. Oates described Connie's interaction with Friend by stating,“Connie liked the way he was dressed, which was the way all of them dressed: tight faded jeans stuffed into black, scuffed boots, a belt that pulled his waist in and showed how lean he was, and a white pullover shirt that was a little soiled and showed the hard muscles of his arms and shoulders”(pg.1145).
John Updike Symbolism
796 Words | 4 PagesThe short story “A&P” by John Updike introduces us to a young teenager named Sammy who worked at the A&P grocery store looking to find his freedom. Throughout reading A&P, I 've noticed the main character Sammy had a very keen eye that spotted every minor detail. When Sammy saw the three teenage girls only wearing bathing suits enter the grocery store, he perceived the girls dressed as if they were going to the beach. Sammy explained to us in detail the different bathing suits that the girls were wearing and their physical appearances. The primary symbol represented in this story is the bathing suits worn by the three teenage girls.
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