Feminism, the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities (Webster), has changed in so many ways since the 1960s. In the 1960s, women were expected to marry in their early 20s, start a family quickly, and devote her life to homemaking. (Tavaana) Now, in the 21st century, women are expected to get a job and virtually do everything a man does. In 50 years, feminism has came a long way and continues to improve/change even today. In Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been feminism and sexuality are themes frequently displayed throughout the story, whether it be Connie dressing provocatively, her mother being a stay at home mom, or her father working all the time. In the 1960s, the setting of the story, this was a typical
…show more content…
He saw Connie for the first time at a popular diner where she was wearing skimpy clothes. He said to her then, “I’m gonna get you baby.” He showed possessive actions and words toward her before she even knew who he was. Then, a few days later, Arnold shows up at Connie’s front door and tells her to get into his car, they were going for a ride. Arnold automatically expected Connie to come with him. He gave her no choice. Connie had to go with him or pay the consequences, which, with his words,” The place you are now-inside your daddy’s house-is nothing but a cardboard box I can knock down anytime.” Connie had no choice or say in the matter, her opinion did not matter, it was either she go with Arnold Friend or her family would get hurt. Arnold Friend’s decision mattered in the end. Feminism in this story is shown through the mother always picking and making decisions for Connie and her sister, June. The father would work all day, come home and eat the dinner the mother prepared and go to sleep. The mother interacted the most with Connie and June throughout the story. The mother controlled the household.. Although feminism isn’t completely equal today, it is still a lot better than it was in the 1960s. Oates successfully uses prime examples and uses stereotypes in her short story, Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been, to show us the differences in our two societies today and the importance of Feminism and
He saw Connie for the first time at a popular diner where she was wearing skimpy clothes. He said to her then, “I’m gonna get you baby.” He showed possessive actions and words toward her before she even knew who he was. Then, a few days later, Arnold shows up at Connie’s front door and tells her to get into his car, they were going for a ride. Arnold automatically expected Connie to come with him. He gave her no choice. Connie had to go with him or pay the consequences, which, with his words,” The place you are now-inside your daddy’s house-is nothing but a cardboard box I can knock down anytime.” Connie had no choice or say in the matter, her opinion did not matter, it was either she go with Arnold Friend or her family would get hurt. Arnold Friend’s decision mattered in the end. Feminism in this story is shown through the mother always picking and making decisions for Connie and her sister, June. The father would work all day, come home and eat the dinner the mother prepared and go to sleep. The mother interacted the most with Connie and June throughout the story. The mother controlled the household.. Although feminism isn’t completely equal today, it is still a lot better than it was in the 1960s. Oates successfully uses prime examples and uses stereotypes in her short story, Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been, to show us the differences in our two societies today and the importance of Feminism and