Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been Essay

“The end of the American dream” During the 1950’s and 1960’s America underwent a social revolution where many values that had long been taken for granted were now being questioning. The American Civil Rights Movement, the radical change of attitudes toward sexuality, and the hippie counterculture upended traditional forms of moral authority. Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?, is a remarkable story by Joyce Carol Oates, which asks the readers to analyze the frightening reality of the contemporary

Friend in the short story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been”. The impact of these words on the reader will vary based on how one approaches them. To some, they may be the soul of mundanity, with little to no significance or weight apart from some arrogance on the part of Arnold. To others, they may be indicative a deeper, much darker, reality within the story. Some critics have ventured to declare Arnold Friend as being the embodiment of Satan. Many before me have expounded upon the evidences

After reading the short story, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been” it makes me thinks about the society we live in today. There are many young girls that are just like the main character Connie, looking for attention in all the wrong places. Connie was willing to dress the part of being an older woman, but was still so very naïve little girl that does not have I clue about is going on in the world around her. It is very shocking how this author’s story from 1960s makes a strong connection

are hiding on the inside. Meeting new people can sometimes be easy for an outgoing person, but hard for someone that is hesitant to others. When you are given the chance to meet someone new and become acquaintances, you need to be cautious. If one is not cautious, issues may arise after their meeting. In the story Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?, the author, Joyce Carol Oates, digs into the reality of meeting new people and having it go the wrong way. As Connie, the main character, is growing

The 1960s marked the beginning of some new ways of life: young women had sex, drank alcohol, and stopped caring about the Church. Joyce Carol Oates’ main character, Connie, in her story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” is the perfect example of the typical teenage girl of that period. Oates demonstrates in her short story, through the use of music as a motif, her characterization of Connie’s parents, and her choice of title, that this lack of religion and authority in Connie’s life is

In the story “ Where are you going, Where have you been?” Connie is a young adult who tries to have the appearance of being a mature woman who is experienced with men, but when she meets Arnold it only tells us that this is only a performance. She tries to be more of an attractive adult through her clothing, hairstyle, and her behavior to get the attention she wants from boys. The love and romance that is evident in songs she listens to and the images of pop culture that surround her are a lot more

Joyce Carol Oates wrote “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” in 1966. The story is about a fifteen-year-old teenager named Connie who wants to grow up too early. She is on summer break and hangs around the mall with her friends, goes to the drive-in restaurant and tries to attract boys. One Sunday, an older man, Arnold, shows up at her door and forces her to leave with him by threatening to hurt her family. This story illustrates how teenage girls often want to grow up too fast. When

The Evilistic Nature Behind Mankind “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been” by Joyce Carol Oates is a haunting short story capable of taking a reader on a freighting but realistic journey of emotions. Revolving around a young girl in an adolescent rebellion phase, Oats creates a relatable character that goes on to demonstrate the dangers of immaturity. Such a threat emerges from the character who is often perceived by the reader as a predator. Throughout this story, these two main characters

The Importance of the Plot in “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” The progression of the plot throughout “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” written by Joyce Carol Oates reveals many interesting things about the characters of Connie and Arnold. As the story goes on, more is revealed about the character’s personality and nature. The conflicts, climax, and resolution ultimately reveal Connie’s self-obsessiveness and Arnold’s two-faced nature to the reader. The conflict between Connie

D” and “Where are you going, where have you been” are short stories written by Joyce Carol Oates; they are centered on the lives of two young teenage girls. Connie is the main character of “Where are you going, where have you been”; Lisette is the main character of “I.D”. In both short stories, Connie and Lisette are depicted as young naïve girls’, having eagerness for independence. Due to both characters’ lack of experience and knowledge, they do not realize that their poor decisions have consequences