Oates's Short Story 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?'

In Joyce Carol Oates’s story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” (1974), the main character, Connie, experiences a number of external and internal conflicts that lead to the conflict in the story, her interaction with the antagonist, Arnold Friend. In the beginning of this short story, Oates details on Connie’s materialistic tendencies and emphasis on her own physical appearance, much to her mother’s dismay. In order to get the attention she deserves, she seeks it from the opposite gender. Arnold Friend, an older man she encounters on a night out, begins stalking her and has convinced himself that she is his soul mate, ultimately leading to his confrontation at her house. Connie’s mixture of external and internal conflicts are the motivation behind her attempt to look desirable to older men, her need for attention, and her gain of unwanted attention from Arnold Friend. Connie’s suffering of internal conflicts leads to external conflicts. Regarding internal conflicts, Connie feels as if she always must look pretty and presentable,

There are heavily emphasized themes of femininity and masculinity in this short story, as well as Oates’s many novels. In Ellen G. Friedman’s article, “Feminism, Masculinity, and Nation In Joyce Carol Oates’s Fiction” (2006), she affirms, “Oates’s male characters, especially but not exclusively her father figures, help to chary how changing ideologies of masculinity serve feminist purposes.” Connie, as a girl, places a high emphasis on her outside appearance whereas Arnold, as a man, falls for Connie due to her looks alone. Connie’s relationship with her mother, her desperation to be pretty, and her desire to be wanted all contribute to her ultimate