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Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Summary

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Journal Entry #8 - “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”

1. The the main character in Joyce Carol Oates’ short story is Connie. Connie’s character does change throughout the story. Towards the beginning, she plays a very headstrong and somewhat childish and vain character without guidance, but towards the end plays a weak, and vulnerable individual. Towards the end of the short story, the reader can begin to feel sympathy for Connie because she is in such a dangerous and awful position and chooses to make a decision that will hurt her but help her family. Connie seems to be a very ordinary and somewhat vain girl in Oates’ short story. In “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”, June and her mother serves as Connie’s foil.
2. The structure of the plot in “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” seems to be in chronological order. …show more content…

In “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” the author does not use flashbacks, although surprises are used throughout the story to provoke thought, like when Arnold was able to tell what her family was doing at any given moment.
4. Irony is used in Oates’ short story. Even the title of the short story is ironic due to the fact that the title is a question adults ask children a lot but is never asked of Connie in the story.
5. Symbolism is used throughout Oates’ short story. Wether it be from the car, to the music, Oates’ paints a vivid picture through symbolism.
6. Oates’ short story seems to take place in the 1960’s primarily Connie’s house and also a restaurant, a movie theater and a shopping center. The time period is extreme important to understand the symbolic aspects of certain things because you need to know the time period they were relevant or popular in.
7. Oates’ short story has a very serious atmosphere that only grows more serious as Connie’s situation with Arnold becomes increasingly more dangerous and potentially life threatening.
8. The story is told in 3rd person from Connie’s point of

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