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Review Of Short Story 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?'

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Leading Towards The End Of Her Life Would Connie had continued being stubborn and obsessed with herself if she knew what the consequences were going to be? In this story called “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” it involves a young teenage girl Name Connie who wants to act older and an old guy name Arnold Friend who is trying to seem young, to get Connie’s attention and ends up figuring out her information. The consequences that she gets put her life in danger and does not make it, to continue with her life. This story is about a 15-year-old girl who has a “habit of craning her neck to glance into mirrors” (p.176) and can’t stop looking at herself because she thinks that she is pretty. She has long blond hair that drew anyone’s attention and would wear charm jiggling bracelets (Oates, 177). According to the short story "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" She is not only obsessed at looking at herself, but also has a habit at examining at other people's faces. She has a double personality, one when she is at home, and another one when she is out with her …show more content…

Parents might think that their kids are in a good safe place when in reality they are somewhere that is dangerous for young kids. Connie went out with her best friend to go shopping or to the movies but ended up going to different places. Connie went to the famous restaurant who is known as a place for older kids to hang out (Oates, 177). She end up leaving the restaurant to go for a ride with a young boy that she did not know name Eddie. Wanting to feel freedom might seem nice, but it is not always a good thing to have. The reason why Connie lies to her parents about where she is going to spend time with her friend is because she wants to be having fun going out to places and act older. By her going out makes her feel like she finally has freedom and living the life how she think she is supposed to

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Comparing The Story 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been'

1135 Words | 5 Pages

The story Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been has similar elements in fairy tales. Yet, critic Christina Gills says the reader is “ forced to consider the distinctions between fairy tale and seduction narrative” (Gillis Gale). There are differences between a fairy tale and this short story. Differences include that the girl gets the prince and the villain gets killed, and they live. In life this does not happen, the so- called villain can get away and come after its victim again.

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Dual Nature Of Connie

525 Words | 3 Pages

She revels in the attention she receives from boys, seeking validation and romantic experiences. For example, she sneaks off with her friend to the local drive-in restaurant where she engages in flirtatious interactions with boys (Oates 3). This behavior reflects her need for independence and her wish to break free from the constraints of her family life. However, Connie's innocence and naivety leave her vulnerable to manipulation.

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Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Victim Analysis

955 Words | 4 Pages

Connie: The Victim To A Demon The “heroine” of the short story Where Are You Going Where Have You Been written by Joyce Carol Oates has been interpreted in many different ways by many different authors across the globe. They all have their own opinions on why Connie had left her home and walked into the arms of Arnold Friend. Larry Rain makes the argument that Connie was a noble heroine that “chooses the side with the devil [to save her family]” (Rain Gale).

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Arnold Friend Character Analysis

1137 Words | 5 Pages

However, this is countered when Connie notes that “he was much older—thirty, maybe more” (315), a fact that frightens her. What Arnold is to Connie is a challenge of her want to be an adult, and a trail of her ability to deal with adult issue. Such as a man who singles her out sexual reason. Her wish to be an adult is something she seeks while passively avoiding it. Her avoidance is marked by day dreams of puppy love romance, like a typical teenager; yet, her attractive flaunt to be mature is presented as if she seeks to be an

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Connie's Insecurities

1092 Words | 5 Pages

Most people who don’t have an inferiority complex wouldn’t feel the need to ridicule others. Oates also states, “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 1). This passage demonstrates that Connie’s insecurities cause her to consistently give herself reassurance about the way she looks by checking other people’s faces. She is actively comparing herself to these other people to give herself validation.

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

596 Words | 3 Pages

Where Are You Going Where Have You Been? By Joyce Carol Oates Psychoanalytic Criticism Question How are id, ego and superego represented in “Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been?” By Joyce Carol Oates?

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Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Arnold Friend Character

890 Words | 4 Pages

In what ways would you transform when presented with a life or death situation? In the prevailing and fast-paced short story, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been” by Joan Carol Oates we find out how much a person can change when crucial and demanding situations arise. In this short story the self-indulged protagonist, Connie will have to face her worse nightmares that she believed would be her ultimate fantasy. Connie is a fifteen-year-old girl who, like most young women, are ruled by their hormones and budding sexualities. She is a flighty teen who does not get along with her family and wishes to be an adult.

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Breadgiver Character Analysis

612 Words | 3 Pages

BreadGivers storyline is full of different types of relationships. There are familial relationships between Reb and the females in his immediate family, Reb and his son-in-law’s, and the daughters and their husbands. These relationships express one of the main themes of the novel, which is oppression. The men in the Jewish religion are viewed as the “bread-winners”, even though this is not true. They are given priority over women in most matters, and are the ones that dictate every situation.

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Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Literary Analysis

694 Words | 3 Pages

In Joyce Carol Oates’s short story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been” the main protagonist finds herself in a very hostile situation. With an all most fateful encounter with a man known as Arnold Friend. Forcing her to choose whether to run off with him or taking her by force. This man known as Arnold Friend to the reader comes off as almost a demon. A person who uses many temptations, word play, and threats to take advantage of the young protagonist Connie.

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The Theme Of Ignorance In Joyce Carol Oates 'Where Are You Been?'

1399 Words | 6 Pages

That also made her become more vulnerable to the real dangers and the evilness that exists in the world. That danger was represented by an old man who pretends to be an eighteen year old boy that seduced and kidnaped Connie. The end of the story Joyce Carol Oates leaves it open to the readers, because that way it makes the reader think of what might have happened, whether she got raped or whether she is killed, after the main character leaves with the antagonist of the story. Oates shows that ignorance, narcissism and the lack of

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The Role Of Parents In Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?

642 Words | 3 Pages

That is the main reason why Connie wants to leave with the first person who asks her to do so. From him she feels the attention that likes very much and does not receive from her family members. She does not feel supported by anyone in the family; everyone only criticizes her, tells her that her own sister is much

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Character Analysis Of Connie In 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been'

984 Words | 4 Pages

Connie’s first encounter with Friend was at a diner when he stated to Connie, “Gonna get you, baby”(pg.1142). Because Connie was use to this type of attention, she did not view it as strange that an older man was calling her in such away. However, if Connie had seen Friend as dangerous instead of just another man, her kidnapping might have been prevented. Later in the story when Friend showed up as Connie’s house, she walked outside and talked to him instead of questioning how he knew where she lived or calling the police. Oates described Connie's interaction with Friend by stating,“Connie liked the way he was dressed, which was the way all of them dressed: tight faded jeans stuffed into black, scuffed boots, a belt that pulled his waist in and showed how lean he was, and a white pullover shirt that was a little soiled and showed the hard muscles of his arms and shoulders”(pg.1145).

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Literary Devices In Where Are You Going Where Have You Been

804 Words | 4 Pages

In her short story "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?", Joyce Carol Oates utilizes a variety of literary devices to strengthen the story in its entirety. This short story is essentially about a 16-year-old girl named Connie and the conflict between her desire to be mature and her desire to remain an adolescent. Throughout the story, the audience sees this conflict through her words in addition to through her behavior. The audience is also introduced to Arnold Friend, a rather peculiar man, who essentially kidnaps her. This short story by Joyce Carol Oates functions and is additionally meaningful because of her usage of literary devices.

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Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Theme Analysis

1255 Words | 6 Pages

Connie uses her attitude and appearance to attract boys. But she is not aware of the reality of the society in which she lives. Connie is living in a fantasy world, but when she gets trapped by Arnold Friend she is put into a scary reality. There

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Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Psychological Analysis

657 Words | 3 Pages

The short story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates can be interpreted in a multitude of ways due to its ambiguity. A psychological lens, however, provides the most accurate viewpoint for analyzing the story as it clarifies certain obscure scenes and actions of Connie. One psychological issue of Connie that is easily inferred from the beginning of the story is her insecurity about her looks. Connie constantly worries about the way that she looks and takes any opportunity to do so, “craning her neck to glance into mirrors or checking other people's faces to make sure her own was all right” (1).

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