ipl-logo

Where Are Going Where Have You Been Character Analysis

1555 Words7 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Negative effect of music on youth

The character Connie in Joyce Carol Oates short story “Where Are Going, Where Have You Been?” has a lot of issues. The problems Connie has with her social life, family, and the people that she talks to come to control her future which anticipates the development of her character, this correlating to her unfortunate death. The Bob Dylan song “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue,” perfectly describes her situation which was the inspiration for Oates 's story. In 'Where Are You Going Where Have You Been ' music is a big influence on Connie and Friend specifically rock ‘n ' roll music. Throughout this story, there are plenty of references to music becoming a lifestyle and characters mimicking their favorite artists ' clothing trends. The revolution …show more content…

Society progressively began to recognize that teenagers became a viable target group for commercial and retail purposes therefore catering to their needs. A 1959 Life magazine article reported that teens spent around $10 billion annually on products specifically geared toward their subcultures such as records, clothing, and transistor radios (Overview,1). Along with this, car sales were also on the rise in the ‘50s and ‘60s. In this era having a flashy automobile was a symbol of social status and sex appeal. In this way Arnold used teens’ appeal to gold and new trends to grab Connie 's attention. “Gold evokes the feeling of prestige, the meaning of gold is wisdom and wealth. Gold often symbolizes high quality” Arnolf has a golden jalopy that he uses to get the attention of young girls (“See Color Theory In Action”, 1). Connie is said to have a childlike walk as well as desire this is conveyed to Arnold when Connie is walking by Arnold and she acts like she is more mature than she really is. The color wheel also tells us that men perceive yellow as very lighthearted ‘childish’ color (“See Color Theory In Action”, 1) The 1950’s generation of teenagers was restless. Like many teenagers in the era Connie feels as though she only receives superficial love from her family …show more content…

Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb.2018 www.encyclopedia.com.
Oates Joyce Carol. “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” Arguing about Literature. Elaine Showalter. New Brunswick, NJ.:Rutgers University Press, 1994. Pages 1-33-1046. Print.
“Overview: “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”." Literature and Its Times: Profiles of 300 Notable Literary Works and the Historical Events that Influenced Them. Joyce Moss and George Wilson. Vol. 4: World War II to the Affluent Fifties (1940­1950s). Detroit: Gale, 1997. Global Issues in Context. Web. 21 Jan. 2015.
“See Color Theory In Action.” Color Wheel Pro. GraphicSprings, 2017.
Drossaert, Ray. “Can Music Change The Way We Think and Act?” Create Id Music Services, Ray Drossaert, April 30 2007, www.createid.edu
Dylan, Bob. “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue”. Bringing It All Back Home, Tom Wilson, Columbia Studio A & B New York City, 1965, track 11. Bob Dylan,

Show More
Related

Summary Of Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?

96 Words | 1 Pages

First in “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?,” the guiding figures are present, but they do not care, which leads to Connie’s death. Connie’s parents did not pay her any attention. Her mom was jealous of her as stated in the short story, “Stop gawking at yourself. Who are you? You think your pretty?”

Read More

Father And Son Relationships In Sonny's Blues By James Baldwin

521 Words | 3 Pages

James Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues" analyzes a very complex relationship between the narrator and his brother, Sonny. Before directing to the attention of the relationship between these two brothers, we have to first understand the personality of each character. Initially, the narrator has a stable job as a hardworking math teacher and makes an effort to assimilate himself to his surroundings, but has never comprehended his brother, Sonny. Sonny is the complete opposite of the narrator. Sonny separates from his brother to become a Blues musician, though becomes addicted to drugs, such as heroin, in order to control his own feelings.

Read More

Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Arnold Friend Character Analysis

1344 Words | 6 Pages

Kevin Billy Professor Lane ENG152 Section 17 1 March 2023 An Old Fiend Elements from the Bible have been incorporated in literary works all throughout time. Characters in all sorts of stories throughout history have been subjected to the idea of resisting evil and being free of sin. A prominent example of this is in the story “Where are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates. This short story takes place from the perspective of Connie, who is an average high school student who has become particularly vulnerable to temptations people her age face.

Read More

A Long Way Gone Character Analysis

1035 Words | 5 Pages

Desire is the need for an object, a feeling or a person. One can have a desire for something that is essential for survival, such as water or food, but desire could be used to harm others or oneself. Through A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah, Ishmael’s perspective of desire was altered dramatically. These desires were changed from his surroundings or events that were taking place. In the book, Ishmael was easily manipulated by his desires.

Read More

Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Arnold Friend Character Analysis

677 Words | 3 Pages

She becomes rebellious day by day. She ignores her mother’s criticisms and starts exploring her sexuality by flirting with boys. Because of her oblivious ways, she fails to recognize trouble when Arnold Friend shows up outside her house. Parents are the ones who should warn their child about the dangers in society and protect them from harm. Connie’s fate proves that her mother has terribly failed as a parent.

Read More

Sonny's Blues: The Harlem Renaissance

934 Words | 4 Pages

Sonny's Blues was written in 1957, 37 years after the roaring twenties had come to an end. Long after the great Migration, where millions of blacks moved to northern cities to escape Jim Crow, and embrace the new found possibilities offered. During this period African-Americans in New York, collectively gathered in Harlem mainly, it was usually alluded to as the black capital. There blacks shared culturally and also, influenced music greatly. This is also where the "new negro" persona was crafted, blacks were no longer going to be referred to as someone's mammies or boy.

Read More

Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Character Analysis

592 Words | 3 Pages

In the story Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? by Joyce Carol Oates, the main character Connie is continuously trying to find herself and become more independent. Constant fights with her mother lead Connie wanting more freedom and to live her life the way she sees fit and finds an escape in music. Throughout the story, Oates places emphasis on music in each scene, whether it be related to Connie’s second personality, at the diner or the music being played in Arnold Friends’ car. This recurrence of music acts as a symbol for Connie’s hunger for independence.

Read More

Analysis Of Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?

1131 Words | 5 Pages

In the story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oats the overall theme is maturing as a woman. With this theme comes different experiences that main character Connie has experienced. Connie is a fifteen year old girl who is maturing and trying to step into womanhood as a teenager. Connies confidence is always debunked by her mother, she always scorns Connie insisting that she stops always looking at herself and being overly confident in herself. While Connie sneaks a date an older guy hits on her, this older man named Arnold Friend comes to Connie's home and insists that Connie comes outside for a ride or her family will get hurt.

Read More

Archetypes In Where Are You Going Where Have You Been

1428 Words | 6 Pages

Again, the reader sees traditional values placed against changing times, reinforcing Connie’s internal struggle to define

Read More

Analysis Of Where Are You Going Where Have You Been

1203 Words | 5 Pages

The short story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates is about a teenage girl named Connie who is in the mist of her adolescent rebellion. She wants to prove her maturity to others and herself. In the story, Oates describes that Connie always lets her mind flow freely in between her daydream. She even creates and keeps dreaming about her ideal male figure in her mind to make her happy and satisfied. Oates allows the reader to step into Connie’s “dream world” through the appearance of Arnold Friend.

Read More

Theme Of Where Are You Going Where Have You Been

1511 Words | 7 Pages

From the beginning, a tone of disappointment and oppressiveness covered the story. Connie always has to deal with criticism from her mother, ignorance from her father, and comparison with her sister. The author gives the readers a tone of suffocation and struggles from within her own house and how her family members treat her. As the story progresses, the author is changing his tone from oppressive to suspenseful and anxious. At this time, Connie's meeting with Arnold Friend is taking place.

Read More

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

984 Words | 4 Pages

“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.

Read More

Literary Devices In Where Are You Going Where Have You Been

804 Words | 4 Pages

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.

Read More

Character Analysis: Summary In Sonny's Blues By James Baldwin

1465 Words | 6 Pages

Everyone needs rescuing sometime in life? The narrator in “Sonny’s Blues” struggles with his own identity and finding himself. He has a sense of insecurity and conformity to escape his past and from where he comes. The narrator finds himself focusing on his brother’s mistakes in life when in reality; he is questioning his inner insecurities. The narrator believes he must rescue his brother but realizes first he must find rescue himself.

Read More

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

700 Words | 3 Pages

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.

Read More

More about Where Are Going Where Have You Been Character Analysis

Related Topics

Open Document