Take a look in the mirror; hot damn! As one grows older, she understands what society expects from her. One realizes the effect her looks have on others, whether she is hideous and terrifies the world, or she is so beautiful that no one can take their eyes off of her. In Joyce Carol Oates’ short story, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” the protagonist Connie displays the effects of her beauty. Connie, the beautiful fifteen-year-old self-absorbed adolescent, attempts to test her beauty by allowing boys to lust after her. Little does she know, by seeking validation for her looks, she is setting herself up for failure.
It is learned awfully early in this story that Connie is extraordinarily fond of herself. In only the first passage …show more content…
Arnold Friend is initially described by “...the singsong way he talked…” (325) which characterizes him as a benevolent individual. As Connie learns more about Arnold, she realizes the deception behind Arnold and how he is the opposite of what she expected him to be. Arnold is depicted throughout the story as a devil. Oates describes him with many devil-like characteristics: “He almost fell. But, like a clever drunken man, he managed to catch his balance. He wobbled in his high boots and grabbed hold of one of the porch posts” (328). The devil does not have feet; he has hooves. By Oates describing Arnold as not being able to stand properly, it allows the reader to infer that as the devil, Arnold metaphorically has hooves. While Connie was naive upon meeting Arnold, overtime her perspective on Arnold alters. She realizes that she no longer needs validation from him. Oates explains Connie’s awareness: “‘Shut up! You’re crazy!’ Connie said. She backed away from the door” (327). In this moment, it is clear that both Arnold Friend and Connie are round characters. At the end of the story, Connie is faced with the dilemma to either leave with Arnold or have her entire family killed. She decides to leave with Arnold and sacrifice herself for her family. Connie matures extremely quickly and decides her own
It is learned awfully early in this story that Connie is extraordinarily fond of herself. In only the first passage …show more content…
Arnold Friend is initially described by “...the singsong way he talked…” (325) which characterizes him as a benevolent individual. As Connie learns more about Arnold, she realizes the deception behind Arnold and how he is the opposite of what she expected him to be. Arnold is depicted throughout the story as a devil. Oates describes him with many devil-like characteristics: “He almost fell. But, like a clever drunken man, he managed to catch his balance. He wobbled in his high boots and grabbed hold of one of the porch posts” (328). The devil does not have feet; he has hooves. By Oates describing Arnold as not being able to stand properly, it allows the reader to infer that as the devil, Arnold metaphorically has hooves. While Connie was naive upon meeting Arnold, overtime her perspective on Arnold alters. She realizes that she no longer needs validation from him. Oates explains Connie’s awareness: “‘Shut up! You’re crazy!’ Connie said. She backed away from the door” (327). In this moment, it is clear that both Arnold Friend and Connie are round characters. At the end of the story, Connie is faced with the dilemma to either leave with Arnold or have her entire family killed. She decides to leave with Arnold and sacrifice herself for her family. Connie matures extremely quickly and decides her own