Throughout the semester we have studied several different types of literature. After reading and analyzing the assigned materials, an underlying theme seems to be shared by many of these works. The theme of fantasy versus reality is prevalent among these short stories, poem, and play when the character’s minds and actions take them into a word full of desires and blind them to the real danger at hand. In the short story “Where are you going. Where have you been,” by Joyce Carol Oates tells the story of a young girl named Connie who is living in a fantasy world. “…Her mind [is] filled with trashy daydreams” (Oates 200) that pop in and out of her head throughout the day. The world outside her home is the life that Connie dreams of. When Arnold Friend arrives at her house and knows untold information about her family, Connie is stunned. His is appearance causes some concern. The outfit he is wearing doesn’t seem to fit his persona. His face seems plastered on and his boots don't fit right and look as if they are stuffed with paper to make him look taller. All of this characteristics when analyzed can be seen as demonic, but …show more content…
Sometime after his wife’s passing, the Duke reveals a paining of her to a servant of his latest female attraction. In the painting, it is easy to see that she is blushing. He wishes that he was the only persons to make his wife blush, but the Duke believes that the Duchess was “too easily impressed” (Browning 668) and “too glad” (Browning 668). He did not like that she was always happy with the compliments she was given. He also believed that his “nine-hundred year old name” (Browning 668) should be enough for her. In his mind, he believes that he gave her social status and power, but the reality of the situation is that the Duke is full of himself and has his wife killed for not saving her “happy glances” for him and not respecting his