Adolescence is filled with the attempts to find sense of being and individuality. The search to find oneself is to find oneself is often accompanied with challenges and frustrations. This is present in the short story, "Where Are You Going Where Have You Been?," by Joyce Carol Oates. Oates shows how easily influenced one can be growing up. The story strongly depicts the themes of fantasy vs reality and the search for independence during adolescence. Both themes work hand-in-hand as the main character, Connie attempts to find herself in her fantasy. The line between fantasy and reality is untimely blurred as Connie lives a fictitious and dangerous life. When Connie gets trapped by the antagonist, Arnold's friend, she is forced to face a scary
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In the beginning, Connie is intrigued by him and is curious as to what adult sexuality is like with hopes she will find it in him. One evening, Arnold and Arnold's friend pull up in her driveway simply wanting Connie to go on a drive with them. Although, as their encounter lengthens it sparks fear. It seems as though Arnold's friend has two sides as well. The description of his physical appearance makes him seem normal, but his speech makes him seem less human, almost like the devil. Arnold's friend persona changes when he states, "Soon as you touch the phone I don't need to keep my promise and I can come inside. You don’t want that" (1149). His tone brought confusion, doubt, and worry to Connie's head as she realizes he obviously isn't who she thought he was. The way he is acting makes her fade in and out of her fantasy as she did not know how to react. The violent threats by Arnold's friend forces Connie to escape her fantasy and shift herself to the realities of being a woman. Although, by the time she realizes that, it is too late. Connie's search for independence has a brutal outcome when Arnold's friend stabs in the flee to call the police. As Arnold's friend is stabbing her, Connie is calling out for her mother to help. This proves that Connie is not the independent woman she strived to be and thought she is. Connie is confident living in her fantasy until she faces the harsh
In the beginning, Connie is intrigued by him and is curious as to what adult sexuality is like with hopes she will find it in him. One evening, Arnold and Arnold's friend pull up in her driveway simply wanting Connie to go on a drive with them. Although, as their encounter lengthens it sparks fear. It seems as though Arnold's friend has two sides as well. The description of his physical appearance makes him seem normal, but his speech makes him seem less human, almost like the devil. Arnold's friend persona changes when he states, "Soon as you touch the phone I don't need to keep my promise and I can come inside. You don’t want that" (1149). His tone brought confusion, doubt, and worry to Connie's head as she realizes he obviously isn't who she thought he was. The way he is acting makes her fade in and out of her fantasy as she did not know how to react. The violent threats by Arnold's friend forces Connie to escape her fantasy and shift herself to the realities of being a woman. Although, by the time she realizes that, it is too late. Connie's search for independence has a brutal outcome when Arnold's friend stabs in the flee to call the police. As Arnold's friend is stabbing her, Connie is calling out for her mother to help. This proves that Connie is not the independent woman she strived to be and thought she is. Connie is confident living in her fantasy until she faces the harsh