Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Analysis

Fantasy Versus Reality: Connie In Joyce Carol Oates “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”, the point that is being made about coming of age is that the transition from child to adult is one Connie learns in a difficult way as she is forced to abandon her fantasies for the realities of what comes with being mature. Connie is introduced as a stereotypical teenager who has a strong focus on her looks, and her relationships with others. When Connie stays home alone one day she began to daydream about boys and how she hoped for her experiences with them to go just like it is in “movies and promised in songs” (52). The author’s use of symbolism through movies and songs demonstrates the fantasy world Connie has set up for herself as usually these forms of love tend to be very fictitious. Also, having Connie use …show more content…
In addition to this, Arnold Friend is another character who is introduced as someone who is looking for a good time as he attempts to lure Connie out of her house by trying to appear as the perfect teenager she desires. When Arnold Friend pulls up in his car, Connie notices an “expression” on the front fender that “kids had used the year before” (55). Connie was intrigued as the “words meant something” that she would soon find out (55). Connie noticing an old expression reveals the author’s use of indirect characterization for Arnold Friend as being much more older than he claims to be. Also, when Connie begins to question the meaning of the words it forces her to step out of her own fantasies and into reality as she must forget her desires of dreaming about boys and face the fact that Arnold Friend is older and can be of great danger to her. This adds onto the difficult way in which Connie is beginning to come of age as she gains new awareness through the abandonment of her childlike fantasies. Lastly, as Arnold Friend begins to appear more demanding for Connie’s love she moves “away from the door” as she begins to realize