Title
Joyce Carol Oates ‘Where are you going, Where have you been?’ tells the story of a young girl searching for her identity among her mother and society. The protagonist Connie amist being at conflict with her family's view, spends her time flirting with boys and exploring her newfound independence. Connie is put in a difficult position when a boy, Arnold Friend, shows up at her doorstep. Throughout the story, Oates uses setting, point of view, and symbolism to convey the theme of the story.
The 1960s was a time of change for many people. The youth were rebelling against many of their parents social and moral beliefs. Connie, a young teenage girl was beginning to explore her individualism and sexuality. Connie's mother did not agree with …show more content…
Connie is a narcissistic, but beautiful teenager. She is constantly having problems with her family. Connie enjoys flirting with boys. She will do anything to not become her mother or sister, June. Connie's mother criticizes her in ways such as, “‘Stop gawking at yourself, who do you think you are?’”,”’Why don't you keep your room cleaned like your sister?’ (Oates, 414).” Her mother always compared her to June,and it infuriated Connie. Connie believed that her mother is jealous of her looks. Connie enjoys going out on the weekends. “Everything about her had two sides to it (Oates, 415).” Connie's attitude throughout the beginning of the story is very self-absorbed and spiteful, but as the story progresses she becomes very fearful. When Arnold begins to tell Connie he saw her “‘that night and thought, that's the one’ (Oates, 423).” Connie soon becomes very fearful and believes that she may be in danger. Connie threatens to call the police, but becomes paralyzed with fear and cannot bring herself to call them. Once Connie realizes Arnold is not who he claims to be, she becomes hopeless. Arnold wants to Connie to give in and come with him. As the story comes to an end, Connie goes from being self-absorbed to sacrificing herself in order to save her
Joyce Carol Oates ‘Where are you going, Where have you been?’ tells the story of a young girl searching for her identity among her mother and society. The protagonist Connie amist being at conflict with her family's view, spends her time flirting with boys and exploring her newfound independence. Connie is put in a difficult position when a boy, Arnold Friend, shows up at her doorstep. Throughout the story, Oates uses setting, point of view, and symbolism to convey the theme of the story.
The 1960s was a time of change for many people. The youth were rebelling against many of their parents social and moral beliefs. Connie, a young teenage girl was beginning to explore her individualism and sexuality. Connie's mother did not agree with …show more content…
Connie is a narcissistic, but beautiful teenager. She is constantly having problems with her family. Connie enjoys flirting with boys. She will do anything to not become her mother or sister, June. Connie's mother criticizes her in ways such as, “‘Stop gawking at yourself, who do you think you are?’”,”’Why don't you keep your room cleaned like your sister?’ (Oates, 414).” Her mother always compared her to June,and it infuriated Connie. Connie believed that her mother is jealous of her looks. Connie enjoys going out on the weekends. “Everything about her had two sides to it (Oates, 415).” Connie's attitude throughout the beginning of the story is very self-absorbed and spiteful, but as the story progresses she becomes very fearful. When Arnold begins to tell Connie he saw her “‘that night and thought, that's the one’ (Oates, 423).” Connie soon becomes very fearful and believes that she may be in danger. Connie threatens to call the police, but becomes paralyzed with fear and cannot bring herself to call them. Once Connie realizes Arnold is not who he claims to be, she becomes hopeless. Arnold wants to Connie to give in and come with him. As the story comes to an end, Connie goes from being self-absorbed to sacrificing herself in order to save her