“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”: An Analysis
There are two themes that are central to “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates: the theme of independence and the theme of reality vs. fantasy, both of which are relevant in today’s society. Both of these themes are prominent in the interactions between Connie, a precocious fifteen-year-old girl and an ageless “Old Friend”, Arnold Friend, who can be seen as evil, or, the devil. The symbol of music is used as a dissociation from reality. This story is relevant to us today as we also struggle to come to terms with our own sense of independence and our own sense of keeping up appearances, as Arnold Friend and Connie both have done.
To begin with, the story centers …show more content…
fantasy. At first, his car is described as extravagant and gold but upon inspection, Connie remarks that it hurts her eyes to look at it and she notes that the expressions Arnold has written upon his car as expressions “kids has used the year before, but didn’t use this year” (p. 458). Connie begins to think things are not what they seem with Arnold Friend as he slowly becomes more demanding. Connie also realizes that Arnold Friend is keeping up appearances and makes note of this from the way he appears to be relaxed but isn’t, to the way he dresses, smiles and acts as though these are the standard “norms”. Music is once again portrayed here as Connie thinks there is a “perpetual music behind him” (p. 458) but also considers that things about Arnold Friend do not come together …show more content…
Connie realizes that this boy she took for a normal boy her age is anything but that and calls Arnold Friend crazy. In response, he takes a step forward and almost falls, wobbling in his boots as if “his foot wasn’t in it” (p. 460), which gives rise to the theory that Arnold Friend could be the devil in disguise with hooves in his boots instead of feet, “it pointed out to the left, bent at the ankle” (p. 460). Connie remarks then, that, “his whole face was a mask” (p. 460). Arnold Friend refuses to come into the house but threatens both Connie and her family should she go inside and call for help. Arnold Friend also mentions that there is no point locking the door as it is just a screen door. Arnold Friend, an Old Friend, cannot come inside her out with reason or permission to. Connie then realizes the full extent of what she has placed herself into in her search for independence and becomes sick with fear before she accepts her fate, leaving behind her family and venturing off with Arnold
There are two themes that are central to “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates: the theme of independence and the theme of reality vs. fantasy, both of which are relevant in today’s society. Both of these themes are prominent in the interactions between Connie, a precocious fifteen-year-old girl and an ageless “Old Friend”, Arnold Friend, who can be seen as evil, or, the devil. The symbol of music is used as a dissociation from reality. This story is relevant to us today as we also struggle to come to terms with our own sense of independence and our own sense of keeping up appearances, as Arnold Friend and Connie both have done.
To begin with, the story centers …show more content…
fantasy. At first, his car is described as extravagant and gold but upon inspection, Connie remarks that it hurts her eyes to look at it and she notes that the expressions Arnold has written upon his car as expressions “kids has used the year before, but didn’t use this year” (p. 458). Connie begins to think things are not what they seem with Arnold Friend as he slowly becomes more demanding. Connie also realizes that Arnold Friend is keeping up appearances and makes note of this from the way he appears to be relaxed but isn’t, to the way he dresses, smiles and acts as though these are the standard “norms”. Music is once again portrayed here as Connie thinks there is a “perpetual music behind him” (p. 458) but also considers that things about Arnold Friend do not come together …show more content…
Connie realizes that this boy she took for a normal boy her age is anything but that and calls Arnold Friend crazy. In response, he takes a step forward and almost falls, wobbling in his boots as if “his foot wasn’t in it” (p. 460), which gives rise to the theory that Arnold Friend could be the devil in disguise with hooves in his boots instead of feet, “it pointed out to the left, bent at the ankle” (p. 460). Connie remarks then, that, “his whole face was a mask” (p. 460). Arnold Friend refuses to come into the house but threatens both Connie and her family should she go inside and call for help. Arnold Friend also mentions that there is no point locking the door as it is just a screen door. Arnold Friend, an Old Friend, cannot come inside her out with reason or permission to. Connie then realizes the full extent of what she has placed herself into in her search for independence and becomes sick with fear before she accepts her fate, leaving behind her family and venturing off with Arnold