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The Theme Of Adolescence In Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been

613 Words3 Pages

Adolescence is regarded by many as the single most important stage in a person’s life: the step between childhood and adulthood. As a result of the psychological and physiological developments that occur during such age, adolescence has been thoroughly depicted in works of literature. For instance, in “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been” by Joyce Carol Oates the protagonist, Connie, is forced to give up on her innocence and youthful approach to life as she is forced to become an adult. In this 1966 short story, Connie’s confrontation with Arnold proves to be life-changing as it causes her to become more alert and observant, teaches her about the perverted nature of adults, and allows her to embrace the elements of childhood one last time. …show more content…

Having been previously surrounded by only teenagers in her social circle, Connie took Arnold’s age for granted the first time they met at the drive-in restaurant. As the omnipresent narrator relates, “she happened to glance at a face just a few feet from hers. It was a boy with shaggy black hair, in a convertible jalopy painted gold,” which thus confirms that she initially saw him as a “boy” (1). Once faced by this new acquaintance at her house, however, the protagonist’s fear is what ultimately leads her to infer his true age, “she could see then that he wasn't a kid, he was much older—thirty, maybe more. At this knowledge her heart began to pound faster.” Therefore, while the interaction shared by the two characters quickly becomes sinister, it nevertheless carries the significance of having woken up Connie’s skepticism and awareness of the world and those who make it

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Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Arnold Friend Essay

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Although the attacker may have not known about her motherly instincts of protecting her children from all evil in the world, it can be agreed that we put our family above ourselves just like Connie did. By going with Arnold Friend, Connie possibly saved her family from what most likely would have been their deaths. Friend is a psychopath that wanted nothing more than Connie and would probably do anything he had to too insure that he got her. Arnold Friend has gone through many drastic measures to lure Connie into his trap, at this point, nothing should be a

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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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Connie In Joyce Carol Oates 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?'

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During the years of adolescence, an individual goes through a period of time which causes confusion and curiosity, where finding themselves is inevitable. “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates takes the reader on an adventure of rebellion as the protagonist, Connie, sorts through a sketchy situation with her own self-experiences. Connie, through her confusion of life, creates a devilish nightmare that is a subconscious manifestation of her desires for attention from the opposite sex. The feeling of helplessness and loneliness is a major characteristic of a nightmare that seems to linger in Connie’s minds. Through her journey, she finds that she is a helpless heroin and cannot control the events occurring around her.

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Arnold Friend Character Analysis

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The story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been” by Joyce Carol Oates, is a one where the idea of how girl who struggles with wanting to be a mature woman, faces her demon full form. The protagonist of the story is Connie, a 15-year-old rebel girl, obsessed with her look; and through fault of her own, meets the antithesis of herself, the antagonist of the story, Arnold Friend. Connie seeks to be a mature adult and desires an emancipation from her family. Seeing herself as mature woman through the desires of her attraction by other boys and men, as well as her mother. Its this same desire which acts as the main fault for her character.

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

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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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Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Internal Events

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In her short story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” Joyce Carol Oates gives the internal events of her short story the sense of excitement, suspense, and climax usually associated with external action. This is accomplished by providing the thoughts of Connie to the reader; showing the effects of the setting on Connie; and Connie’s final realization of her fate. She connects this to the idea that Arnold Friend is the demonic adversary who convinces Connie to cross the threshold into adulthood and lose her innocence by shear persuasion and threatening undertones.

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Arnold Friend was there to take Connie away; away from her childhood and home, which never quite felt like home until her fantasy world deteriorated and reality set it. The next moment is pivotal, this is when Connie forgets her hedonism and becomes something of much more substance. Before Connie studies Arnold Friend’s abnormal personality and erratic behavior she is fascinated by him and even worries that she is ill prepared for this

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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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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.

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Comparing The Short Stories 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?'

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The transition to becoming an adult is a somewhat magical experience in many ways. An awakening of the senses, the ability to detect and verbalize deeper emotions and the new and exciting responsibilities of the adult world are just some of the new experiences individuals journey through while growing older. However, as we examine two short stories, Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? By Joyce Carol Oates, and The Man Who Was Almost a Man by Richard Wright, we see that perhaps this fragile stage of life isn't always meant to be taken lightly. The main characters of these stories, Connie and Dave, are examples of how exactly the transition to adulthood and maturity should not be welcomed before its time, and the dangers of attempting to grow up too fast can bring.

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

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In Joyce Carol Oate’s “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”, the coming of age message is to avoid living in your childhood fantasies so much that you can’t face the realities of adulthood. Connie is a fifteen years old girl who wants to act mature but constantly living in her childhood fantasies. When it comes to her craving of acting like a grown up, she goes to the Big Boy restaurant with her friends but left them behind when a boy is asking her to go out for dinner. When she gets home, she dreams that ‘the boy’ she met last night whose ‘sweet, gentle’ and just like ‘in the movies and promised in songs’(52). Sweet and gentle are being expressed as imagery to describe the boy that Connie met the night before.

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