Joyce Carol Oates

In the short story, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been” by Joyce Carol Oates, Connie is out with her friends one night at the dine-in. As she was walking to the car with one of her friends, another guy smiles and waves his finger towards her while passing in his car. She does not think anything of it until later on one Sunday evening when her parents leave the house. Arnold Friend, the guy from the dine-in shows up at Connies home and asks her to go on a joy ride with him but she…

these things before they take a step back and realize that they should have taken their time. One who is especially in too much of a hurry to grow up is the character Connie from the short story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates. Connie is the main focus of this short story that shows us her constant desire to be separated…

In the Introduction essay of the book written by Joyce Carol Oates, she explains how you are going to think and feel after reading a few of these essays. She notifies you on the different types of essays you are going to be reading and helps you have an idea of the action you will face. I really enjoyed how she wrote little clips of some essays in her introduction to help you understand what she was trying to say. Oates defines the writings in this book as a piece of art and not just…

Joyce Carol Oates’ “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” can be argued in numerous ways. Critics assume the short story was just a feminist allegory; Friend has the power to enter through the screen door however, he persuades Connie to come to him, giving into his manipulative sexual promises. On the other hand some think Arnold Friend is a Godlike figure, saving Connie from her life; while others think Arnold is a Satanic creature, luring her into sin. However those theories were never…

In the short story Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been, Connie and Arnold Friend are both something close to a rebel and a criminal. Both have made a conscious choice to veer from the societal standard and the expectations of those around them. In an alternate telling, this could have brought them closer together and they could have had a positive relationship, in finding a companion in someone who shares the labelling of being different. However, this is not the case due to the sensation…

“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been” Rough Draft In the story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been”, there are multiple ways to interpret what it is conveying. Joyce Carol Oates managed to make a story where the genre can be seen as “psychological realism” and “realistic allegory”. In it, the main character, named Connie, is on a search for independence be hanging out at a restaurant. Through further analysis, it can be revealed that Connie and Arnold’s relationship mirrors that of…

The author Joyce Carol Oates uses characterization to convey that Connie had a terrible relationship with her family. Connie's mother always puts her down ("Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?). The author seems to be suggesting that Connie's mother likes her sister more. "Why don't you keep your room clean like your sister? How've you got your hair fixed-What the hell stinks? Hairspray? You don't see your sister using this junk" (Oates) Connie's mother loved comparing her to her sister.…

Analysis: Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? And he lifted up his eyes and saw the traveler in the open square of the city. And the old man said, “Where are you going? And where do you come from?” (Judges 19:17). Joyce Carol Oates wrote this story in 1966 by. Her fabulous short story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been” begins with a reference to the main character’s vanity. A compulsive habit of checking her reflection in mirrors to ensure she is better looking than others around…

What’s Really There?: The Underlying Themes of Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been Joyce Carol Oates’ famous short story presents a compelling tale of a girl, Connie, and her certain decisions she chooses depending on her setting and the people around her. As the story progresses, one of these lifestyles becomes overwhelming, and she becomes unable to effectively control her situation. Even though the story appears to be a shallow tale of a girl making poor life decisions, many underlying…

In Joyce Carol Oates’ “Where are You Going, Where Have You Been?”, Arnold Friend, an intimidating stranger, is responsible for the demise of Connie, an adventurous teenage girl. Arnold Friend and Connie never had a conversation or relationship with each other. Arnold Friend still carefully planned out the demise of Connie by threatening her, stalking her and planning out her kidnapping, without having any connection with her. Arnold Friend never had any relationship or communication with Connie…