Joyce Carol Oates Satire

Joyce Carol Oates was born in a small town in New York in 1938. Not much is mentioned about Oates’ childhood, other than her passion for writing that started early. She wrote many stories and even constructed short books in her elementary years. Oates tried to publish her first novel when she was fifteen, but was turned down because it was thought to be “too depressing” for children her age. Although there were many bumps along the road to becoming a great author, she is now rendered one of the most creative minds of her time. Oates has written many stories that are highly artistic, yet socially relevant for people even in this age. Oates was raised as a Roman Catholic, which can be seen throughout some of her writings. Of all of her writings, …show more content…
Piwinski took a closer look at the possible meanings behind some of the numbers that showed up in the story. When Arnold Friend pulls up to Connie’s house that Sunday afternoon, she noticed three numbers that were painted across the side of his car. These numbers were: thirty-three, nineteen, and seventeen. Piwinski argues that “ . . . their sum being sixty-nine indicates Friend’s sexual perversion, which is in my opinion, quite consistent with Friend’s character” (195). Piwinski also suggests that the numbers could be a reference to Judges 19:17, in the Bible (196). Judges is the thirty-third book from the end of the Old Testament, so he argues that this shows some significance in Oates’ …show more content…
She realizes that this is something that she does not want to be involved with, and she tries to get Arnold to leave her home. As Arnold continues to threaten Connie, saying that he can break down any door to come in and get her (Oates 7), Connie experiences a panic feeling from this evil. This is where the full development of her spiritual growth is seen. Connie has experienced the true evil shown in Arnold Friend, and she is now given a better understanding and appreciation for life and her family. When Arnold gives Connie the ultimatum of either her safety or her family’s safety, Connie chooses her family. Arnold said, “You don’t want them to get hurt . . . Now, get up, honey. Get up all by yourself” (Oates 9). Connie got up and followed Arnold out of the house to her fate. Connie’s transformation is seen drastically at the end of this story. At the beginning of this story, she is indifferent towards her family. As the story progresses and she begins to grow spiritually, she begins to appreciate her family and her life more. This exposure to evil brings her to an appreciation for those around