Where Are You Coming Home?

A door to the beginning of her outcome is all that divides Connie in, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” from Arnold Friend, the devilish predator. Symbolism takes a big part in this story that gives a deeper meaning to Connie’s choices that ultimately extent to giving herself to Arnold. The author, Joyce Carol Oates in the short story, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” represents Arnold Friend as the real world by being challenging and malicious, and Connie as the innocent world by being defenseless and naive.

“Where are you going, where have you been” has been surrounded in a veil of mystery since it was first written by Joyce Carol Oates in 1966. This is largely due to the uneasiness caused by the story’s premature ending. Many different theories have been developed to try to make sense of the cliffhanger.

What does the term “home” mean? How does the idea “home” apply to the text you read?

The concept of home has a plethora of definitions. For example, one may feel at home in a multitude of places or with varying groups of people. In his TED talk, Pico Iyer, discusses questions about home, which aids in formulating a definition. One of his definitions is the place “where you find yourself,” which corresponds a discussion concerning home in Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (Iyer). Through Janie’s experience, a home for her is a place where she has a voice. This is paramount for Janie as it allows her to vocalize her opinions and feelings, thus aiding in finding herself. In nearly all of her relationships, however, this voice was taken from her, restraining her from learning about herself, her desires and needs,

“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” a short story written by Joyce Carol Oates, revolves around two main characters — Connie and Arnold Friend. Connie is a 15 year old girl, the protagonist in the story, who disrespects her family, and tries to act more mature than she actually is. Arnold Friend is the mysterious “villain” figure in the story that places Connie in an unpleasant situation that causes her to question the extent of her maturity. Throughout the short story Arnold pushes Connie’s comfort level, and tries to get her to be adventurous by getting in his car for a ride; however, Connie realizes that she cannot get out of this troubling situation on her own. Even though the characters’ overall personas are different, they both show arrogant tendencies, which serve as both of their greatest weaknesses in the short story.

2. Caldwell, Tracy M. "Joyce Carol Oates ' "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?." Literary Contexts In Short Stories: Joyce Carol Oates 's 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? ' (2006): 1-8. Literary Reference Center. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.

Each individual may have a different interpretation of Joyce Carol Oates' short story "Where Are You Going, And Where Have You Been?", but despite the differences in the way we comprehend the story, it is quite obvious that Joyce Carol Oates had based one of the main characters, Arnold Friend, off of something or someone. The title of the story and what is written on the pages not only marks a biblical allusion and symbolizes something much larger that many people fail to realize, but also points to a flaw seen in many teenagers.

Home is a dwelling where people unwind, mature, and can safely reside. Coates, Andreou, and Owen see home as a material structure and are chiefly concerned and focused on the importance of access to home. On the other hand, Shammas, Iyers, and De Botton view the abstract concept of home, which emphasizes that home, is about creating feelings and memories. Home is not a material place where it can be several different places and have no meaning. Home is a place where you create fond memories, feelings, and grow with the culture.

A psychological thriller that keeps its reader’s on edge, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” intoxicates the reader with spine chilling description’s of Arnold Friends character. This passage from the work is our first introduction to Arnold Friend, and a foreshadowing of what is to come. Joyce Carol Oates, the author of “Where Are You Going, Where have You Been?”, does an impeccable job at using this passage to draw the reader in and give underlying clues as to what we think might happen in this story. It is not till after re-reading this short story that one can realize the significance of these three sentences.

Imagine yourself on a nice, sunny day. You are sitting outside in a lawn chair waiting for you hair to dry when suddenly, a boy comes to ask you to take you out. Joyce Carol Oates presents this image in “Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been?” Not only is this a famous short story, it also presents symbols, motifs, and themes that people who read the story can relate to. Oates shows teenage rebellion and bliss in her short story. The title can provide significance with the relationship between Connie and Arnold Friend. Oates provides themes in the story that makes the reader wonder where Connie is going with her life including her independence, her maturity, and her world that’s fantasy against reality.

The word home is metaphor for the greater culture to which we belong and represents the influence of that culture on our way of thinking and acting. The sum of all of these forces then, defines who we are as individuals and serve to define what motivates us to action, our nature.

The word ‘home’ is something that is often misunderstood. Home makes up your identity and not many people know that. Therefore you ask me, ‘what is home?’ Home is not just in your house. Home is a place that surrounds you. It’s you environment and cause for emotions. Your home is where you are with the people that surround you (peers, family, and strangers), as well as cars, houses, stores, and/or toys.

After a long day of the real world home was a place to get away from everything on the outside. When I would step foot into my house every problem I had through out the day stayed out side on the porch. I never brought my problems home because home is suppose to be a problem free zone, a place to relax your mind. I did a lot a thinking when I was behind the walls of my home. Sometimes I would stay

What is home? If one looks in a dictionary the answer would come out to be, “The place where one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family or household.” However, for anyone who has had an actual home, they would know that such a term goes much beyond its concrete description. It is an impassioned aspect filled with values and foundation of nurturing. A home is not just an abode built to live in; in fact, that is just a definition of a house. Home is a place where one not only feels comfortable, but a place they look forward to opportunely live in every day. A home is built not by bricks or wood, but with the bond of family. A home is a place that reminds a person of countless memories and values when he walks through a

What does one call a place where they feel safe? A place where one is surrounded by loved ones? A place where one can forget the worries of the world for even a brief moment. A place where no matter what happens, they will always have a place to return to. They have the deepest of connections with those that live there; connections that they know will never be severed no matter what happens. That is home. Home can be defined as where a person lives or has a permanent residence, but it is more than that when pondering on the emotional connection it has with the heart. A common phrase that is constantly used is “there is no place like home”. It is not because a person misses their previous residence, but due to the many qualities it possesses that could possibly never be found anywhere else. Home is not simply a place where one lives, but a place where love, contentment, and tranquility are abound.