Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Theme Essay

In Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been Joyce Carol Oates uses compelling themes to convey real life issues to the readers. She also exploits many references to well know fairytales through symbols and motifs. This short story shares the theme of good versus evil to the fairytales Cinderella, Rapunzel and Snow White. The theme of evil is first expressed through Connie’s and Cinderella’s afflictions with their sisters that shape the essence of sibling rivalry. Like Cinderella, Connie's sister, June is used as a comparison tool “June did this, June did that win[ing] praises all the time by her mother” (Oates 1). While the sisters are favored both Connie and Cinderella are devalued by their mothers for “Connie could [not] do a thing, her mind was filled with trashy daydreams’’ (Oates1). June and Connie often clash between each other because they have different views on adulthood. Connie is conceited, outgoing, and wild where as June “plain and chunky” still lives at home at the age of twenty-four, gets the approval of their mother. This form of approval and favoritism creates this idea of sibling rivalry expressing the theme of evil. On the other hand critics see the theme of good being portrayed throughout both stories when the two girls rise up to the occasion, through there circumstances and become the heroine. For Cinderella, she was always courageous and kind to her evil stepsisters even through her difficult circumstances. While Connie is a noble heroine by saving her family from the threats of Arnold when he states ‘“if you do [not] come out we [are] go[ing] [to]wait till your [family] come[s] home and then they [are] all going to get it”’
This idea of sibling rivalry, coming of age, and loss of innocence are challenges many teenage girls can relate to. The conflicts Connie face forces girls to question their own selves in problems that happen in today’s