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Thematic Analysis Of 'Where Are You?' By Joyce Carol Oates

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In the story WHERE ARE YOU GOING, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? By Joyce Carol Oates is an impeccable story. The story is so vivid and wildly written it takes you into a whole new world. When I first started reading this my whole mind when into a deep thought. I visualized myself there during every event that occurred. This is story is a definite easy read the imagery that is placed into this story is the best one yet. The theme of the story is what catches you and entitles you to continue reading. This story reminds me of how strong the power of temptation is. The level of intensity she gave the words made the words draw feelings to my soul. The temptation that went along in this book starting from being a disobedient child all the way to being one way at home another way in the streets then how it caught up with her and she couldn’t break away. …show more content…

Connie played with that spirit to such an extreme level. Connie wanted to be that girl that could do what she want and want to be free. Now her friends were no saint either they played with the same spirit, but I personally think that Connie went entirely too far with playing with it. Now growing up I always heard if you allow the devil to ride he will take over the wheel well that’s exactly what he did to Connie. Now don’t get me wrong part of it was on her parents, because her mother never stood her ground as a mother would and her father just simply went to work and did what he wanted. The common thread with parents is train a child up in the way they should go. Well, Connie never had that training she just had to learn by her mistakes. Arnold friend the guy that just wants to be your friend. HA! What a

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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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The short story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” was written by the author Joyce Carol Oates in 1966. Oates describes her idea for the story after briefly reading an article about the real-life murderer, Charles Schmid, who lured and murdered three teenage girls (Kirszner & Mandell 523). She uses this idea to create the character, Arnold Friend, and his victim, Connie. Connie is a typical teenage girl portrayed as naïve and self-centered. The short story appears realistic, given that the conflict in the story is based off of real events.

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Home is where the heart is, but what if home is no longer safe? Joyce Carol Oates explores this concept in her 1966 short story, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been”. On surface level, this story appears to discuss a rebellious young girl named Connie and her confrontation with Arnold Friend, a stalker. The ending leaves the reader to assume that Arnold Friend plans to sexually assault the young girl.

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