Joyce Carol Oates's 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?'

Question 4, Pg 1153 After reading, Joyce Carol Oates’es Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? the readers are often frustrated with Connie’s hesitation and inability to take appropriate actions in the face of danger. This feeling of frustration in the reader is understandable and can be explained by the many suspicions signs that Connie fails to notice about Arnold. The first obvious clue that should tell Connie that perhaps Arnold Friend is dangerous happens when they see each other for a first time. Connie is with another boy at that moment, but when Connie and Arnold make eye contact, Arnold says “Goanna get you, baby (1142)”. This statement seems a bit strange, and should perhaps warn Connie that this guy could be dangerous. However, Connie doesn’t really give too much taught …show more content…
One other obvious sign that tells the reader that Arnold is dangerous happens when Arnold pulls into Connie’s driveway and is talking to her. Arnold Friend says “I know your name and all about you, lots of things … I took a special interest in you, such a pretty girl, and found out all about you like I know your parents and sister are gone somewheres and I know where and how long they’re going to be gone, and I know who you were with last night, and your best friend’s name is Betty. Right? (1146)”. At this point it’s very clear to the reader that there is something strange and wrong about Arnold Friend, the reader can tell Arnold has been stalking her, and is perhaps obsessed with her, because knowing this much information about a person you haven’t even had a conversation with simply shows the reader that Arnold doesn’t respect Connie’s privacy, and he will do anything to get her. At this point the reader is probably hopping that Connie will lock the door and call the police. However, Connie does the complete opposite, she ignores all these signs and continues the conversation with Arnold. Which just makes the