Summary Of The Novel 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?'

The author of “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” and “A Good Man is Hard to Find” both employ dialogue to help readers understand the theme, evil is everywhere. “A Good Man is Hard to Find” by Joyce Carol Oates deals with the fifteen year-old Connie. Connie is a young girl who enjoys going out with friends and meeting boys. One night out, she glanced upon a guy staring her way, sensing no harm by the impression. A Sunday afternoon, Connie stays home alone while her family attends a barbecue. After a while, she hears a car pull up to her driveway, recalling it is the same guy from a few nights before. The guy, later introduced as Arnold Friend, asks Connie to join him for a ride. She kindly declined the request. He keeps insisting and becomes violent as the story progresses. He threatens to hurt her family if she calls the police. As the time passes, Connie becomes apprehensive and runs towards the phone, but Arnold seizes her before the call is made. At the end, she is left with no choice and joins Arnold for a …show more content…
The dialogue alternating between characters supports the theme. Connie and Arnold converse, after a while, she faintly says, “Maybe you two better go away.” Arnold cried, “What? How come?... today you’re with Arnold Friend and don’t you forget it! Maybe you better step out here.” His behavior appears to change, revealing his true intentions. He mentions, “I’ll hold you so tight you won’t think you have to try to get away…and I’ll come inside where it’s all secret and you’ll give in to me and you’ll love me,” implying rape. It is noted Arnold is a stalker and a dangerous guy. He is sick, an example of what is wrong with this world. In the end, as Connie makes a run for the phone, she is restrained and Arnold threatens, “You don’t want them to get hurt…Now, get up, honey.” She loses the battle against evil and walks out with him, fully aware of the upcoming in the