Character Analysis Of Connie In 'Connie' By Joyce Oates

Connie is a fascinating example of the rebellious American teenage girl. She is cocky, flamboyant, and youthful; like the weiro or cockatiel if you will. And like the weiro, underneath those layers of splendor and beauty there is a fragile little being, insecure in reality but a goddess in her world. With the story where are you going, where have you been? by Joyce Oates, the girl Connie is presented in all of what she wants the world to see her as then slowly that splendiferous covering is slowly torn apart till we have the insecure child curled up in this hallow core of a existence. With her actions, attire, friends, and personality the author gives a easy point of speculation of why she is the way she is and up to her eventual breakdown. When Connie is first presented in the story, she is shown as a pretty young gal who has some of the generic mommy issues that come with the rebellious teens. With the beginning however, her sister June is brought into the story and the feeling of envy Connie holds towards June is particularly fascinating. June is older, bland and extremely average yet her mother absolutely adores this and praises the daughter for being this way. Her mother will also constantly be agitated with how Connie is and wishes the fabulous Connie to be more like mediocre June. This only causes …show more content…
To her parents and family she presents them the good side, and when away her flirty side comes out to play. What's interesting is that her good attire is normal like Jude's, almost as if trying to mimic her sister and to appease or be approved of her mother. The flirty side however, is eye catching and flavourful to the people she hangs around with. It's almost as if she's set aside what she personally likes to dress as and instead attempts to appease two opposite sides. This again points to her wanting to be accepted, and that the girl we see is not the real