Joyce Carol Oates Essay

Joyce Carol Oates’ “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” is a modern interpretation of the classic narrative of evil tempting innocence. Oates’ version of the devil allegory combines this Christian model of temptation with contemporary secular society. Connie is a pretty fifteen year-old girl, beginning the process of maturation into adulthood. She begins to become aware of her ability to act of her own volition, but her naivete renders her ignorant to Arnold Friend’s layers of deception

In Joyce Carol Oates “Where are you going, where have you been?” introduces us to Connie a self-absorbed, rebellious, and very naïve fifteen year old who is tossed into this world of sexuality, and adulthood she believes she knows all about. As Oates explains about Connie to us we get introduced to what influences her to act out and not care what others think and go about dealing with problems herself. Her mom is brought in as an over protective mother who wants to see her daughter succeed but doesn’t

stories we read. Joyce Carol Oates uses dark events from her childhood and from reality as an influence in her story, Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? Notes of feminism is seen throughout because Oates is a strong feminist. Because of the violence Joyce Carol Oates experienced as a young girl and sees in society, she uses the themes of violence and rape in Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? and has adopted feminist views, which are also seen in the story. Oates first published Where

her. Despite the multiple warning givens to Connie by Arnold, that she needs to change her behavior or she will eventually be captured, Connie, oblivious, continues acting in a negative manner. In “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates, Connie’s sexual activities lead to Arnold the devil capturing her, which is revealed by the characterization and the surroundings of Arnold Friend. Connie, walks down an alley with Eddie, with the intention of engaging in sexual activities

Throughout the short story, “Where are you going, where have you been?” by Joyce Carol Oates, the most intriguing character was Connie. Oates portrays Connie’s sense of space as gradually diminishing by Arnold Friend as the story progresses. Arnold starts taking Connie’s least sense of space by threatening her family’s safety in return for Connie to go with him. Arnold continues to take more of her sense of space by giving her the indication that he’ll invade her house if she doesn’t put down the

Fiction Essay In “Where are you going, where have you been” Joyce Carol Oates uses exposition to illuminate the protagonists struggles with entering adolescence. Shaping a story that foreshadows a climax between the protagonist and the antagonist imminently exposing the unforeseen depravities of mankind. In this story we are immediately introduced to the protagonist Connie who is a 15-year-old girl trying to figure out her place in the world, as a young adolescence. She is described throughout the

name is Betty. Right?” (131) Everyone wants to feel wanted and appreciated, especially during the tough teen years where things are difficult enough trying to find your place in life. In the story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been” by Joyce Carol Oates, a beautiful fifteen-year-old girl named Connie; combats her mother’s constant criticism and disapproval. In addition to making Connie feel miserable, her mother continuously points out all of Connie’s flaw comparing them to her “perfect” older

shares his sexual intentions and tells her not to use the phone. At the end, she realices that she is not going to see her family again and she walks away towards him. This is a short story called “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates. This short story shares three main themes: Fantasy versus Reality, Importance of Family and the free Will. Throughout the whole story, Connie tries to present an image of a mature women who has well experience with men. Here is where it

The Devil in Disguise Joyce Carol Oates’s “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” describes the story of a fifteen-year old girl named Connie who does not seem to have a care in the world. The story takes place in the seventies. Connie is a girl who just wants to have fun and is all about her appearance and boys. In the beginning of the story, you understand the relationship between the mother and Connie. The mother appears to be malicious of her young and beautiful Connie saying such harsh

“where are you going where have you been” by Joyce Carol Oates follows the life of Connie. Connie is a young 15-year-old girl. Like most girls, she was very self-conscious. Not because she didn’t think she was pretty but because she always wanted to make sure others thought she was. “She was fifteen and she had a quick, nervous giggling habit of craning her neck to glance into mirrors or checking other people’s faces to make sure her own was all right” (Oates, 157) She loved going out with friends to