Writers write for a purpose, they write to express themselves and their thoughts to fill the emptiness that they see within the world. Joyce Carol Oates’ “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been” and Margret Atwood’s “Rape Fantasies” are major examples of writing pieces that attempt to fill the void within the world. Through their usage of symbolism, theme, style, and tone these writers are able to compromise the emptiness that they feel. They are able to withstand indifference and allow their writings to betoken enlightening ideas.
Oates’ usage of symbolism within the theme of conflict between fantasy and reality allows the reader to understand the enlightening idea represented in “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been”. The difference …show more content…
Atwood’s short story does not seem to be written as a formal piece of writing, instead it seems to be a type of directive for someone else to try and develop. She intentionally wrote six unusual scenarios that seem to pertain to the life of John and Mary. While creating different possible life scenarios that all eventually lead to one possible ending the inevitable death of both lovers. “The only authentic ending is the one provided here: John and Mary die. John and Mary die. John and Mary die” (Atwood 4). This remark allows the reader to question all aspects of life. It expresses the inevitability of every living thing having an ending no matter what the beginning may be. “John and Mary fall in love and get married” (Atwood 2). “Mary falls in love with John but John doesn't fall in love with Mary” (Atwood 2). Just by reading the first couple of sentences of part A and part B one can instantly infer that Atwood wrote these “parts” as different scenarios, potential scenarios even. Atwood shifts tones between the different scenarios. “They go on fun vacations together. They retire. They both have hobbies, which they find stimulating and challenging. Eventually they die. This is the end of the story” (Atwood 2). From having the lovers in a romantic relationship, living long and happy together eventually dying together. Being modified to, “He merely uses her body for selfish pleasure and ego gratification of a tepid kind He comes to her apartment twice a week and she cooks him dinner, you'll notice that he doesn't even consider her worth the price of a dinner out, and after he's eaten the dinner he f**** her and after that he falls asleep” (Atwood 2). This shows that the lovers are in an extremely vulgar and sexual relationship ending up with the same ultimate fate, death. Using
Oates’ usage of symbolism within the theme of conflict between fantasy and reality allows the reader to understand the enlightening idea represented in “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been”. The difference …show more content…
Atwood’s short story does not seem to be written as a formal piece of writing, instead it seems to be a type of directive for someone else to try and develop. She intentionally wrote six unusual scenarios that seem to pertain to the life of John and Mary. While creating different possible life scenarios that all eventually lead to one possible ending the inevitable death of both lovers. “The only authentic ending is the one provided here: John and Mary die. John and Mary die. John and Mary die” (Atwood 4). This remark allows the reader to question all aspects of life. It expresses the inevitability of every living thing having an ending no matter what the beginning may be. “John and Mary fall in love and get married” (Atwood 2). “Mary falls in love with John but John doesn't fall in love with Mary” (Atwood 2). Just by reading the first couple of sentences of part A and part B one can instantly infer that Atwood wrote these “parts” as different scenarios, potential scenarios even. Atwood shifts tones between the different scenarios. “They go on fun vacations together. They retire. They both have hobbies, which they find stimulating and challenging. Eventually they die. This is the end of the story” (Atwood 2). From having the lovers in a romantic relationship, living long and happy together eventually dying together. Being modified to, “He merely uses her body for selfish pleasure and ego gratification of a tepid kind He comes to her apartment twice a week and she cooks him dinner, you'll notice that he doesn't even consider her worth the price of a dinner out, and after he's eaten the dinner he f**** her and after that he falls asleep” (Atwood 2). This shows that the lovers are in an extremely vulgar and sexual relationship ending up with the same ultimate fate, death. Using