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Analysis Of 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?'

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“Where are you going, where have you been?” Any Adolescence can be distracted or thrown off track very easily considering that they are at those vulnerable ages were they just want to fit in and feel important. In Joyce Carol Oates’s short story, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”, Connie’s mother did not make her feel pretty or important nor did her father. The title of this story can be interpreted many different ways. The title sounds like the sort of question someone would hear coming from their parents’ right before they leave the house or right after coming in past curfew. After reading the story, it is obvious that there is space between Connie and her parents and the title speaks about the distance between them. The story depicts disconnect between Connie and her parents by showing the absence of the father in the home, the constant put downs from her mother and the lack of concern they both show for her. In Mark Robson’s short essay, he explains how the numbers on the side of Arnold friend’s car were a code found in the bible. I agree with Robson’s short essay because after going to Genesis 19:17 in the bible, one can be sure …show more content…

That type of disconnect between a father and his daughter can steer any young girl in the wrong direction. In the story the author states “Their father was away at work most of the time and when he came home he wanted supper and he read the newspaper at supper and after supper he went to bed.” This quote shows how Connie’s father never spent time with her. Connie’s father spent so much time at work the only time she gets to see him is at supper. This is the only mention of her father throughout the story so it can be speculated that Connie is okay with not being as close to her father as she should

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