Comparison of "Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been?" and "Doe Season"
1. “Where are You Going? Where Have You Been?”: What is an allusion? Read the story with an eye to allusions of “Little Red Riding Hood”. What is an archetype? What archetype does the description of Arnold Friend suggest? What does Arnold’s car represent? What archetype do Connie and her description suggest? What archetype does the conflict between Connie and Arnold suggest? Can this story be considered as a cautionary tale?
An allusion is something that relates a subject or idea and is not necessarily acknowledged but should be easily recognized by readers. An archetype is a common symbol or imagery that implies a well-known connotation. The description of Arnold Friend is suggestive of an evil or devilish archetype. He is threatening and demanding to Connie with his requests and his appearance, described by the author as “shaggy, shabby black hair that looked crazy as a wig” and how his “eyes were like chips of glass” is questionable, possibly indicating a demonic nature. Arnold’s car is representative of the mode of transportation of Connie to her new life as a grown woman. It is the ‘vehicle’ that will allow the transition to her adulthood. Connie is described by the author as a the typical girl next-door when she is at home with her family, but a completely different human being in public with her friends as she is exploring her sexuality and searching for independence. The archetype between Arnold and Connie is suggestive of the struggle experienced by adolescent girls in their transition to womanhood. It is a period of emotional turmoil and the violent feelings expressed by Connie and the forcefulness of Arnold’s behavior really conveys the struggle experienced during the transition from adolescence. “Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been?” focuses mainly on major life changes that occur, which aren’t necessarily considered taboo. So, essentially, I would have to lean toward this not being a
An allusion is something that relates a subject or idea and is not necessarily acknowledged but should be easily recognized by readers. An archetype is a common symbol or imagery that implies a well-known connotation. The description of Arnold Friend is suggestive of an evil or devilish archetype. He is threatening and demanding to Connie with his requests and his appearance, described by the author as “shaggy, shabby black hair that looked crazy as a wig” and how his “eyes were like chips of glass” is questionable, possibly indicating a demonic nature. Arnold’s car is representative of the mode of transportation of Connie to her new life as a grown woman. It is the ‘vehicle’ that will allow the transition to her adulthood. Connie is described by the author as a the typical girl next-door when she is at home with her family, but a completely different human being in public with her friends as she is exploring her sexuality and searching for independence. The archetype between Arnold and Connie is suggestive of the struggle experienced by adolescent girls in their transition to womanhood. It is a period of emotional turmoil and the violent feelings expressed by Connie and the forcefulness of Arnold’s behavior really conveys the struggle experienced during the transition from adolescence. “Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been?” focuses mainly on major life changes that occur, which aren’t necessarily considered taboo. So, essentially, I would have to lean toward this not being a