Joyce Carol Oates Interpretation

Oates created what today is considered a modern classic, with her draws to music, mythology, and modern culture, at that time, 60s. In this direction; summary, analysis and breakdowns of the inspirations and reasons she used, including a interpretation of their meaning(s). Joyce Carol Oates’ story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” is about a young girl. Like most teenagers, she sneaks around, goes to drive-ins, meets boys. In the story Oates writes, “Everything about her had two sides to it, one for home and one for anywhere that was not home.” (Oates 1) A naive, rebellious, along with a flippant attitude with her mother.
Oates draws heavily on mythology to build the story’ core. Comparing Connie to Persephone helps the reader understand the characters place, and who Arnold Friend really is. In the myth of Persephone, she is kidnapped by Hades, god of the underworld. Hades agreed to let her go, but before he gave her back he feed her a pomegranate, making her always be with Hades. Connie represents the gullible Persephone, and Friend is Hades.
On the other hand, Oates gives Friend more sinister qualities. She give a more modern interpretation of the devil. Some clues to Friend’s true identity include: his hair; in the story it is

The lyrics reveal similar ideas and phrases, found in the story like: “the sky too is folding under you” echoes Connie’s legs are weak as Arnold takes her out the door. Friend refers to himself as Connie’s lover, similar to a line in the song “your lover who just walked out the door.”, “The vagabond who’s rapping at your door”. “Strike another match, go start a new” Friend is indicating that when he burns the house down, she will run into his arms. At the end of the story, Friend says to Connie, “ My sweet little blue-eyed girl.” (Oates 9), a reference to “baby blue”. Oates, however, writes that Connie’s eyes are