Preview

Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Short Story Analysis

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
675 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Short Story Analysis
Joyce Carol Oates’ “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? (WAYG, WHYB)” shows readers that romantic and superficial ideas can lead to tragic consequences. In the short story, Oates uses the plot and symbolism to demonstrate the story’s perspective on fantasy love.
WAYG, WHYB is written in 1966 by Oates. In a time where women are beginning to explore their mind and the world. As we read this now in 2017 and the time has changed, many people can interpret this story many ways. What is Arnold Friend or Connie trying to represent? What is Oates trying to tell her audience? Most do interpret it as a girl being taken away from home by a monster. The ground situation of this short story is about a young and attractive 15-year-old girl seeking …show more content…
Arnold Friend is introduced to the audience to show us that Connie will do anything to grow up. Although there are many interpretations of Arnold, the most common is relating him to the devil. “… he had shaggy, shabby black hair that looked crazy as a wig and he was grinning at her” (457) Oates may have put this in here to compare him to the devil by symbolizing his wig as a form of hiding his horns. Another symbol to Arnold is his car. His car has his name “written in tarlike black letters” (457) and also the numbers “33, 19, 17” (458) on Arnolds car may be interpreted as a versus from the Old Testament saying, “And when he had lifted up his eyes, he saw a wayfaring man in the street of the city; and the old man said, “Whither goest thou? And from whence comest thou?”. This versus from the bible may sound a little like what Oates wrote about, but it can be interpreted as a scary line connecting Arnold Friend to the …show more content…
Another interpretation to the numbers above is referring to “John 19:17; “So they took Jesus, … the place of the skull.” Jesus was crucified at the age of 33”. Oates may have also meant the numbers to mean something more like this versus of the bible. There are many ways to interpret three simple numbers. We as the audience can imagine her being taken away by this monster to her death or just simply away from girlhood. “That place where you come from ain’t there any more, and where you had in mind to go is cancelled out… cardboard box I can knock down anytime…” (465) Oates put this part in the short story to let the readers know that Connie is ready to be introduced to womanhood by force. Then Oates gives us the best climax of the story, “She put out her hand… watching this body… moving out into the sunlight where Arnold Friend waited” (466) in the end Connie slowly symbolized she has given into Arnold. Many people may think of Connie has transition from the little girl she was at home to a now woman, but others see it as her being taken away to protect her family and getting raped and eventually being
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Character Analysis Of Arnold Friend In 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been'
    • 121 Words
    • 1 Page

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

    When the character, Arnold Friend, was introduced I did not expect that he would play the role of the enemy in the story, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been.” When he arrives at Connie’s home, I began to question my hypothesis. Similarly, Connie’s view of the mysterious man is reformed as Arnold’s true nature is revealed. The realization begins when he discloses all the information he knows about Connie and the whereabouts of her family. This is when I, the reader, and the character begin to suspect that Arnold is not a respectable guy. She then notices his eerily pale skin, aged appearance, unsettling remarks, and seemingly stuffed shoes. These suspicions were confirmed once he spoke of his intentions.…

    • 121 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Summary Of The Story 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?'
    • 139 Words
    • 1 Page

    Summary Of The Story 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?'

    When I finished reading the story Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? I couldn't believe the ending. The main character Connie is your average teenage girl, however, she is a little more conceited than others. In the story, the author describes that the setting is in the summer and that's why she is going out with her friends almost every other day. The author also gives a hint by foreshadowing the line "Gonna get you, baby," which shows what's going to happen in the near future. I think the theme of this story is that when Connie goes out with her friends, she is going through adulthood. For example, at the end of the story when she opens the door to go outside with Arnold, she is leaving her childhood and making a jump straight into…

    • 139 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Arnold Friend or Arnold Foe
    • 1888 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Arnold Friend or Arnold Foe

    Tierce and Crafton’s theory that Arnold is a savior is flawed because they misunderstand Arnold Friend’s intentions of freeing Connie from the limitations of a child. Tierce and Crafton believe Arnold Friend was conjured up by Connie’s imagination. Tierce and Crafton believe that he is a manifestation of all the desires Connie holds in her heart. Her wish to be a grown woman created a messiah named Arnold Friend, who came to her to take her away from her father’s home and set her free, saying to Connie, “we’ll go out to a nice field, out in the country here where it smells so nice and it’s sunny”(Joyce Carol Oates, 515). Taking the innocence and limitations that her age brings allows her to leave and go with Arnold Friend (Connie’s Tambourine Man: A New Reading of Arnold Friend). He…

    • 1888 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Are You Going, Where Have You Been? By Joyce Carol Oates: Summary
    • 1152 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Are You Going, Where Have You Been? By Joyce Carol Oates: Summary

    “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” is a short story written by Joyce Carol Oates. This popular short story made its debut in 1966. Dependent upon the interpreter, this short story may seem to be based upon many different themes, although my goal is to focus on analyzing the author’s use of stylistic devices such as a recognizable setting, and symbolism that Oates has effectively implemented in this story to convey the most important theme, which is maturity and coming of age. Oates uses many symbolic devices such as; words/thoughts, relationships amongst characters, and even objects to effectively symbolize Connie’s coming of age adventure.…

    • 1152 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Arnold Friend Analysis
    • 701 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Arnold Friend Analysis

    Arnold Friend, is a middle-aged man that uses himself as bait to fool and befriend young Connie. His choice of appearance for himself to project as if he is the same age as Connie is, “light faded jeans stuffed into black, scuffed boots, a belt that pulled his waist in and showed how lean he was, and a white pull-over shirt that was a little soiled and showed the hard small muscles of his arms and shoulders.” With this appearance that Arnold Friend presents to Connie…

    • 701 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Arnold Friend or Fiend
    • 952 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Arnold Friend or Fiend

    Arnold Friend has an interesting description in this story. He is described initially with “shaggy, shabby black hair that looked crazy as a wig.” He is also wearing metallic sunglasses that reflected everything. Eyes are known to be windows into the soul. The fact that his eyes were not able to be seen may suggest that he didn’t have a soul, another reference to the possibility of Arnold being Satan. He is also described has standing awkwardly, “He was standing in a strange way, leaning back against the car as if he were balancing himself” (468). He is has trouble walking, “She watched him take a step toward the porch lurching. He almost fell. But, like a clever drunken man, he managed to catch his balance. He wobbled in his high boots and grabbed hold of one of the porch posts” (472). It also says that the boots seem to be stuffed. Some argue the fact he “stuffs” his boots was to compensate for the hooves. The narrator also comments that his legs don’t seem to function like the average human legs. This could also be a reference to the hooves of Satan. His skin seems to be painted on, “His whole face was a mask… tanned down onto his throat but then running out as if he had plastered makeup on his face but had forgotten about his throat” (472). Satan can take the shape of his victim’s weakness. Connie’s weakness is boys, he is dressed as a teenage boy and Connie says that he isn’t bad looking but his demeanor is strange. She also doesn’t believe that he is just a “few” years older than she. He appears to be over compensating, using a dated expression such as “MAN THE FLYING SAUCERS” (469). This shows that he is trying to act…

    • 952 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Analyzing Joyce Carol Oates 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been'
    • 1247 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Analyzing Joyce Carol Oates 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been'

    “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been,” shows Connie’s double lifestyle brings her to a load of trouble. If only she would have let her family know where she was going, and where she had been, she would not be overpowered by Arnold Friend. Joyce Carol Oates writes her story as if it were a movie. The figurative language, setting, and plot assist the readers while reading this story.…

    • 1247 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Arnold Friend In Joyce Carol Oates Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?
    • 878 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Arnold Friend In Joyce Carol Oates Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?

    On a Sunday, Connie decides not to go to church and not to go with her family to a barbecue, drying her hair and dozing instead. In her moment of arrogance, Arnold Friend arrives to take her away, presumably to hell. On a realistic level, Arnold Friend is a creep preying upon young girls in his jalopy. One can deduce from his physical appearance, lustful nature, and other subtle symbolism that Arnold Friend is the devil in Oates’s short story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You…

    • 878 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Arnold Friend Character Analysis
    • 2082 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Arnold Friend Character Analysis

    The short story by Joyce Oates, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” leaves many readers uncomfortable with the actions of “Connie” the main character who is in the midst of adolescent rebellion. Connie is a character who argues with her mother and sister, neglects family life in favor of scoping out boys at the local restaurant, does everything she can to appear older and wiser than she is, and has a mind filled with daydreams and popular music that feed her unrealistic ideas of love and romance. When the stranger, Arnold Friend, arrives at Connie’s house, she must confront the harsh realities of adulthood, which bear little resemblance to her fantasies.…

    • 2082 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? -Joyce Carol Oates Essay Example
    • 989 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? -Joyce Carol Oates Essay Example

    Joyce Carol Oates creates an inquisitive plot that causes the reader to question events in the story, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” She develops this story featuring a girl named Connie, who has an encounter with a boy at a restaurant that she doesn’t know. “He wagged a finger and laughed and said, “Gonna get you, baby,” and Connie turned away…” (Oates 210). Startled Connie only saw this boy once that night, but the story goes on, and a few days later he comes to her house where she learns that the boy’s name is “Arnold Friend.” She is unaware how the boy knows anything about her, where she lives, and the fact that he knows all about her family and friends. In the short story, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” Joyce Carol Oates creates significant details that some readers might miss, revealing that Connie is actually having a nightmare where Arnold Friend is an imaginary character.…

    • 989 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Attraction In 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been'
    • 1739 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Attraction In 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been'

    In the story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been” by Joyce Oates, the audience explores the story of Connie, a normal teenage girl, who meets Arnold Friend, a seemingly harmless character at first, but we later come to find out that he has been stalking her and Arnold…

    • 1739 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Rhetorical Analysis
    • 507 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Rhetorical Analysis

    “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates is a short story that brings many girl’s nightmares to life. The story is one about a young, naïve girl named Connie, and her deranged abductor, Arnold Friend. Oates uses the setting in Connie’s life to create a very realistic situation. Oates also uses descriptive language to create vivid images of the setting, charters, and the emotions Connie feels. By analyzing Connie’s home setting and the descriptive language Oates uses, we will be able to further understand how Connie’s thoughts and actions were effected by her setting.…

    • 507 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?
    • 521 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?

    The look of different characters is a symbol. In the beginning of the story, the author describes Connie as that she has a "habit of cranking her neck to look into mirrors". The look represents the power of the characters. The one who looks at people has the ability to control people. Connie looks at Arnold so she controls him. Men look at Connie admirably while women look at Connie enviably. In the end, Arnold controls Connie through the use of his look for her.…

    • 521 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Where Are You Going
    • 1045 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Where Are You Going

    In the short story “Where Are You going? Where Have You Been?”, by Joyce Carol Oates. The use of the symbolism of Connie’s clothes, her fascination with her beauty, Arnold Friend’s car and Arnold Friend himself help to understand the story’s theme of evil and manipulation. The story, fill with underlying tones of evil. In this short story, Oates write about 15-year-old Connie, the protagonist of the story, a pretty girl who is a little too into her own attractiveness, which eventually gets her into trouble with a man named Arnold Friend. The story is liberally full with symbolism, from the way Connie dresses to the shoes on Arnold Friend’s feet. In “Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been?” As i was reading the story, I picked up on some of the symbols very easily, while others needed deeper thought. The subtle hints of symbolism throughout the story create a fascinating tale that draws people in. Connie finally surrender to Arnold Friend at the end of the story, it then becomes obvious that he represents the devil and the symbolism of her clothing and Arnold’s car all tie together to create a better understanding of the story.…

    • 1045 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Role Of Oppression In Short Stories
    • 888 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The Role Of Oppression In Short Stories

    Her confidence is only shaken when a man tries to oppress her in a sexual way. It is then when Connie realizes that she was not as strong as she thought she was. Due to the panic, Connie started to confuse reality from fantasy. Arnold Friend, takes advantage of Connie’s naïve personality, and tries to control her by threatening her. Joyce Oats describes oppression here as a form of sexual oppression, where woman are constantly being sexually assaulted because society has portrayed and symbolized women as sexual…

    • 888 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics