In “Where Are You Going‚ Where Have You Been?”‚ the main character‚ Connie‚ is on the brink of adulthood and is experimenting with the sexual freedom that comes with it. On the weekends‚ Connie and her friend go to the mall or the diner and pursue older boys with which they will slip into dark alleys or cars. One night‚ when leaving the diner to go hang out with a boy‚ a man in a gold convertible catches Connie’s eye and says to her‚ “Gonna get you‚ baby”. Later in the story‚ Connie is tanning outside
Premium The Great Gatsby Jay Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald
while saving cats falling from trees? Does one have to be a hero by saving someone from a burning building? What qualifies as a hero? Many people have their own definition and vision of a hero. Heroism comes in many ways through attitudes and acts of oneself. I believe heroism is the intent of doing something for the benefit of others‚ and not caring about the consequences that might ensue. In Joyce Carol Oates’s "Where Are You Going‚ Where Have You Been‚" we see the character of Connie in a process
Premium Courage Hero Joyce Carol Oates
Miller 1 Timothy B. Miller Prof. Nicholas Young LITR-221 June 23‚ 2013 Where Have You Been‚ Where Are You Going: A. Friend’s View. His name was Arnold Friend. He was getting older but still liked the young ladies around town. Arnold came from a broken home. His father had been in prison since right after his birth for some reason or another and his mother did her best to raise him courting a string of good-for-nothing losers who were in and out of her life faster than crap through a goose
Premium Joyce Carol Oates English-language films Fiction
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
Premium Psychology Love Interpersonal relationship
The story “Where Are You Going‚ Where Have You Been” is essentially about a young woman’s strive for independence‚ which eventually leads to conflict. Girls today appear as mature women and in addition‚ are put into adult situations sometimes unwillingly. Oates portrays a social issue that relates to this current society by using symbolism and characterization while taking the reader on a journey throughout the thoughts and feelings of a teenage girl. There are two main symbols the author uses
Premium Beauty contest Beauty Childhood
“[Connie] 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.” (1) In the story “Where are you going‚ where have you been?” the author Joyce Carol Oates‚ deliberately shows us the level of innocence of the protagonist Connie‚ as well as the similar features an inexperienced young girl who lived in 1966 compares to those of a young girl who is raised in our era. Young teenage girls in 1966 are no different
Premium Woman Girl Short story
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
Premium Family Joyce Carol Oates Short story
Going through life‚ adapting to changes as you grow older and transforming from a young and reckless‚ naïve child into a working‚ responsible adult could be very fearful. Change itself is one of the biggest fears people encounter each and every day. Having to do things on their own‚ or figuring out if the decisions they make are right and if their experiences are going to help them or just hurt them more in the long run. In Connie’s experience with Arnold Friend‚ whether it is real or a dream‚ the
Premium English-language films Life Family
The decline of the societal and cultural values during 1960s can be seen through Joyce Carol Oates’‚ “Where are you going‚ Where have you been?” The story‚ which narrates the fatal destiny of fifteen year old Connie‚ shows the rise of a pop-culture/music guided society‚ it also shows the rise of the sexual revolution and the disregard for women‚ and the negligence of parents at the time. In the story the devil is represented by ARNOLD FRIEND‚ who at the end of the story seduces Connie into her own
Premium Elvis Presley Joyce Carol Oates
Be Careful What You Wish For Anything that is too much is harmful. The main character in "Where are you going‚ Where have you been?" Connie‚ faces the end conclusion of her shallow ways when she is approached by evil in human form. She had an excess of self-confidence. This self-confidence leads to a false sense of security and bad reputation. Connie also had a large amount of bad choices. She would do her best to impress boys with her looks; eventually she impressed the wrong guy. This
Premium