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Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Analysis

1328 Words6 Pages

In the story “Where are you going, Where have you been?” Joyce Carol Oates depicts the turbulent sixties, a time of change and rebellious character towards the reformable youth. Throughout this era, many teenagers willed to rebel against their parents and the ethics and values they upheld since their youth. Among the many disruptions towards the societal flow, the most prominent and influential were the new generation’s erotic choice of music. The parent disapproval of the new music genre only caused more attraction to it, causing the children to rebel from their elders morality. In her story, Oates conveys that the music style of the 1960’s had negative effects on the generation which lead to many problems causing a complete shift in societies ethical views. The story opens up on a rebellious, self centered fifteen year old named Connie that is fascinated in the new music …show more content…

According to John Market, “the songs reflected shifting social attitudes” to the “American fighting spirit” (194). This shows that the music genres were even affected by the war mentality and therefore affecting its audience. Connie demonstrates this influence when she is verbally fighting with Arnold Friend at her door. Joyce Oates writes Connie with an attitude of sass when Arnold Friend tries to talk her out of the house to come with her. In the story, Connie throws out fighting words such as, “Get the hell out of here!” and “I’m going to call the police” at Arnold to demonstrate her music influenced mentality (Oates 186). The songs changed her mentality from a sweet little girl to a person that relies of violence to feel safe. This symbolizes that the lyrics and suggestions in the new songs that the teen generation in the sixties were listening to will cause trouble in the future. It will lead the generation to bad decisions and dangerous

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