Vanity In Where Are You Going Where Have You Been

Naive Vanity
Society puts labels on everyone, and in some cases given based off of one's actions. Most labels are seen in a negative way, for example naive vanity. The word vain is defined as,
“proceeding from or showing pride in or concern about one's appearance, qualities, etc”
(Dictionary.com). Essentially it is being involved and having pride in your appearance. This is articulated in the short fiction story titled “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by
Joyce Carol Oates. The young girl in the story has very naive and vain characteristics. This story explores the dangers of naive vanity and rebellious behaviors of adolescent women.
The young girl's behaviors are punished with a harsh consequence resulting from her naive vanity and

The story states that, “She was fifteen and she had a quick, nervous giggling habit of craning her neck to glance into mirrors or checking other people's faces to make sure her own was all right” (Oates). This statement foreshadows the character's vanity and gives some insight into the character's behavior. The young girl goes by the name of Connie and her older sister June was everything that she wasn't. Her mother admired June, and her only wish was that Connie would turn into her sister. Not only was Connie vain, but she also had a rebellious attitude and behavior. When gathering with her friends, Connie would say she was going to one place but was actually going across the street to hang out with the guys in her town.
One man in particular noticed Connie and she brushed it off, as she wanted people's eyes on her.
The man later on finds Connie at her house and asks her strange questions and it is revealed that the man has been watching her and knows all about her. She tries to escape from the man but he stabs her over and over with no remorse. Connie was too self absorbed to think twice about the man watching her. The consequence is harsh but her vain and rebellious acts got her into a
dangerous

For example, “Studies were done on Generation X and followed until they were older. The overall vanity had declined” (Finder 22). Vanity may be declining in some people, but there are many things that have a long-lasting effect on someone due to being vain. A person's vanity is often associated with their life events. The same article also states that,
“The researchers also examined the types of life events people experienced. Participants who were vain at age 18 were more likely to divorce, had fewer children and had more unstable relationships” (Finder 22). All of these issues relate negatively to someone’s life and the lasting effects of these events can affect someone mentally. Vanity not only affects one person, but it affects the individuals around them. Just like the researchers stated, unstable relationships and divorce is something that involves more than one person. Many people do not want to be surrounded by vain behaviors, which in result leads to these vain people being alone. So even though these behaviors are associated with growing up, they can still have a long lasting effect on one's life.
Adolescent women are faced with dangerous situations during their lifetime. The