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Analysis Of Joyce Carol Oates 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?'

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The short story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” and movie Smooth Talk took over the nation by storm. Both loosely based off and inspired from true events committed by Charles Schimid .Whose terrible acts made America gasp in stock but also were able to allow a wee bit of light to be able to shed down on literature. “Where Are You Going,Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates . Occurs in the suburbs during the 1960’s.However a young teenaged girl is put into a very uncomfortable situation as a result of acting out and trying to find herself. Although the young girl named Connie portrayed as confident and rebellious with her friends meeting Arnold Friend changed everything. It is implied Connie’s was almost forced to give her life for her families quickly makes the young girl realized what she got herself into .Reading this short story really opens the mind of each person who reads it . It is important to read “Where Are You Going,Where Have You Been?”,the story makes the people feel uncomfortable.Weird but true , the story makes the reader think and causes them to apply precaution along with the knowledge of what can happened in their own life .Which is probably why this short story is …show more content…

This supports the claim that the reader is led to believe that Connie is going to be raped and murdered.But in the movie Connie is dropped off at the end of her driveway , no bumps or bruises despite a slight change in persona everything seemed calm.Although later she’s quoted say “would you feel defiled by me ” which could implies that she could have been raped. The scene of Arnold bringing Connie back home in a way made the movie not so grand because the feeling of what happened to her is taken away which leds to a boring

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Elia Bergquist Juan Espinoza EN102 23 February 2023 Where are You Going, What are Your Intentions? In the short story, “Where Have You Been, Where Are You Going?” Carol Joyce Oates creates a thriller of a story that leaves the reader with an unsettling feeling.

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Consumer Culture In Joyce Carol Oates Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?

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Joyce Carol Oates’ “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” is heavily laced with comments about American society. Through the eyes of fifteen year old Connie, readers discover the dark side of civilization. As the story progresses, the dangers of the world seem to grow. Oates touches on three major societal concepts: consumerism, the “typical American family”, and coming of age. Using Connie as a conduit, Oates artistically analyzes today’s society, as well as how it developed.

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Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Victim Analysis

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Through the duration of their “conversation”, Arnold was able to make her completely give up her free will to him. Connie gives up everything she had ever owned to him, even her “pounding heart [is] nothing that [is Connie’s]” after Arnold takes control of her. (Oates 11). Willingly doing whatever someone says regardless of consequence is enough to classify someone as a victim on its own. But not only was Connie doing whatever Arnold said, she was even giving herself to him.

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Arnold Friend Character Analysis

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However, this is countered when Connie notes that “he was much older—thirty, maybe more” (315), a fact that frightens her. What Arnold is to Connie is a challenge of her want to be an adult, and a trail of her ability to deal with adult issue. Such as a man who singles her out sexual reason. Her wish to be an adult is something she seeks while passively avoiding it. Her avoidance is marked by day dreams of puppy love romance, like a typical teenager; yet, her attractive flaunt to be mature is presented as if she seeks to be an

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Analysis Of Carol Joyce Oates Where Are You Going Where Have You Been?

1777 Words | 8 Pages

Carol Joyce Oates’ “Where Are You Going Where Have You Been?” presents how falling into temptation leads to giving up control and innocence. Though her mother is unapproving of her actions, Connie spends her time seeking attention from male strangers. Home alone, Connie is approached by a compelling creature who convinces her to leave her life and join him on his unknown journey. Through disapproving her family, having multiple appearances, listening to music, and her desperation to receive attention from boys, Connie gives up control of herself losing the purity of adolescents and contributing to her detrimental fate. It is imperative that one should not be controlled because of a desire to impress others.

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Analysis Of Where Are You Going Where Have You Been

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The short story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” was written by the author Joyce Carol Oates in 1966. Oates describes her idea for the story after briefly reading an article about the real-life murderer, Charles Schmid, who lured and murdered three teenage girls (Kirszner & Mandell 523). She uses this idea to create the character, Arnold Friend, and his victim, Connie. Connie is a typical teenage girl portrayed as naïve and self-centered. The short story appears realistic, given that the conflict in the story is based off of real events.

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An Analysis Of Joyce Carol Oates 'Where Are You Going Where Have You Been?'

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Connie was unable to see the men's true personality until they removed their glasses, which like Connie, a person who has multiple sides. They use similar expressions throughout the story, for example, “Christ” and the use of the word “dope” this further links the two characters personalities. At the end of the story, after Arthur stops Connie from calling the police, she willingly joins the two men. This shows Connie ignoring her superego- calling the police- to succumb to her id (8, 9). Connie once asks, “how come we never saw you before?” to which Arthur replies, “Sure you saw me before… You just don’t remember” these lines also illustrate the tendency for a person to repress their ultimate desires (5).

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Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Literary Analysis

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Oates’s biography explained her fiction writing as a mixture violence and sexual obsession. The writing style definitely fits the plot point of this story with both of her literary ingredients being present in not only Arnold Friend but in Connie as well. The Protagonist Connie is presented in a very self-centered way. She is obsessed with her looks and often fantasizes about all the boys she meets.

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An Analysis Of Joyce Carol Oates Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?

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There are some stories and media featuring dangers and injustices that one would hope become less relevant as the years go by; indicating a safer world for all as progress is made. Joyce Carol Oates’ “Where are you going, Where have you been?” is not one such story. The threats Connie, the protagonist, faces from men like Arnold Friend are just as present now, in 2017, as they were in 1960 at the time this story was written. Connie is a beautiful 15 year old girl who is depicted as being excessively preoccupied with her appearance and likes traditional adolescent activities such as boys, her friends, and going to the movies. Connie sees a stranger, Arnold Friend, one night in passing while out with on a car ride with a boy.

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Archetypes In Where Are You Going Where Have You Been

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Home 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.

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Character Analysis Of Connie In 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been'

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“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been,” is about a teenager named Connie who is trying to come to terms with her transformation from childhood to adulthood. Through this process, Connie attempts to act older than she is an tries to gain the attention of boys. In “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been,” Joyce Oates portrays Connie as obsessed with men to symbolize how one’s obsession and narcissistic attitude can cause danger to seem surreal. In the short story, Carol Oates describes Connie as having two different personalities, one being a narcissistic attitude.

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Literary Devices In Where Are You Going Where Have You Been

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In 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.

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Symbolism In 'Where Are You Going Where Have You Been?'

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In 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.

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Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Theme Analysis

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Connie uses her attitude and appearance to attract boys. But she is not aware of the reality of the society in which she lives. Connie is living in a fantasy world, but when she gets trapped by Arnold Friend she is put into a scary reality. There

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Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Psychological Analysis

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This interpretation of the story explains how Connie simply fell prey to the common theme of men acting as predators in society. Therefore, Connie had no say in her fate, so she just decided to go quietly with him. However, this theory completely disregards the psychological disorders that Connie has. Connie did not go quietly with Arnold because he was a dominating male. Instead, Connie left due to her numerous unconscious mental problems.

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