In “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” it is a thrilling short story leaving the reader on the edge of their seat wondering what happened. It was published in 1966. Some other works written by Joyce Carol Oates are “Wonderland,” and “In the Region of Ice.” “Oates concerns herself with the formulation of the American dream and how it has changed” (Mann and Benson). Joyce enjoys writing about the dangers of the world, such as, rape, and murder. “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” is about an insecure girl named Connie who ends up getting raped, and murdered by a “devil in disguise,” Arnold Friend. Oates uses many forms of symbolism in this short story, all associating with darkness, childhood, and religion. Joyce also uses characterization …show more content…
Arnold Friend is a major symbolic character in this short story, relating with darkness. “Similarities between Arnold Friend and the devil: his disguise, his supernatural knowledge of the whereabouts of Connie’s family, his ability to lure Connie to him against her will, even his very name, which is very close to “Arch Fiend”” (“Where Are You Going”). An “Arch Fiend” is an evil spirit or demon, especially the devil. Arnold Friend’s disguise relates to the devil, because he is trying to pretend to be someone he is not. He signs an “X” in the air to Connie, which symbolizes a sideways cross. Also, the devil is capable of manipulating people, and knows everything about them. “I took a special interest in you, such a pretty girl, and found out all about you- like I know your parents and sister are gone somewheres and I know where and how long they’re going to be gone” (Oates). This symbolizes his relation to the devil, because he stated that he knows all of Connie’s, and her family’s whereabouts. He proceeds to list exactly what her family is doing in that very moment. Arnold Friend foreshadows the death of Connie, and foreshadows his symbolism of the devil, and darkness in the beginning of the story at the fly-infested restaurant. He wags his finger at her saying “Gonna get you, baby.” The author is putting these hints in the story to …show more content…
“A grotesque parody of a church, the building is bottle shaped and has a grinning boy holding a hamburger aloft on top of it. Unconscious of any ludicrousness, Connie and her friend enter it as if going into a “sacred building” which will give them “what haven and blessing that yearned for.” It is the music which is “always in the background, like music at a church service” that has invested this “bright-lit, fly-infested” place with such significance”” (“Where Are You Going”). This is an example of symbolism because Connie, and her family do not attend church. This is ironic, since a huge topic in this short story is about the devil, and death. “They went up through the maze of parked and cruising cars to the bright lit, fly-infested restaurant, their faces pleased and expectant as if they were entering a sacred building that loomed up out of the night to give them what haven and blessing they yearned for. They listened to the music that made everything so good. The music was always in the background, like music at a church service” (Oates). These symbols contain several ideas. For example, the “bottle shaped” restaurant represents a church, and the grinning boy on top could represent either God, or a cross. The author seems to be exploring the idea of religion, even though the short
The letter “x” is said to symbolize the “essence of evil” (Seltzer). While some may argue that Connie leaves her home to save her family from the Devil, the truth is not completely revealed in Oates story. Perhaps, Connie becomes possessed with the “x” drawn in the air forcing her to go with
Varsha R. Yerram Professor Baker Studies in Fiction October 12, 2014 A Tainted Fantasy Overtaken by Morbid Reality In Joyce Carol Oates’ short story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” there is a serious conflict between what is reality and fantasy. It is far too easy for individuals to create false fantasies and illusions regarding what they believe something to be.
Another example of usage of symbolism in this book would be Alcohol. Alcohol is used as a symbol to convey a deeper meaning. Alcohol in this novel symbolizes that many of the characters face problems and obstacles that are very difficult, but they don’t really face them head-on. They try to escape from their problems in many ways, and the main one is alcohol. The characters are having tough times in their lives, where they really don’t know what to do and how to handle their obstacles or setbacks to be happy.
Arnold Friend is being described as ominous; in other words, he is threatening. He is being described negatively and is extremely concealing of his true features. He keeps his face covered with sunglasses when he can. It can be argued that he conceals important features so he does not come across to victims as the devil. Arnold Friend’s similarities to the devil do not end there though.
Having good intentions for everyone can be a problem. Good intentions are when a person does not believe anyone is harmful. The story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” was published in January 2004. Joyce Carol Oates has written many other stories. Some other works that she is also known for is We Were The Mulvaney’s, Blonde, and The Falls.
In a book “Among the Hidden” by Margaret Peterson Haddix, symbolism is used to create a powerful feeling with a place or thing. For example, Luke (the main protagonist) was "... always safe and protected by the house and the barn and the woods. Until they took the woods away." (pg. 11) The woods were Luke’s playground where he didn’t have to worry about being seen, his only safeguard and protection from the Population Police.
The short story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” was written by the author Joyce Carol Oates in 1966. Oates describes her idea for the story after briefly reading an article about the real-life murderer, Charles Schmid, who lured and murdered three teenage girls (Kirszner & Mandell 523). She uses this idea to create the character, Arnold Friend, and his victim, Connie. Connie is a typical teenage girl portrayed as naïve and self-centered. The short story appears realistic, given that the conflict in the story is based off of real events.
Literature helps individual’s express their emotions, gain knowledge, and become informed, making it vital for education. Joyce Carol Oates’s short story’s plot, ‘’Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” is brilliantly inspired on true events. Oates effectively uses the story’s main characters, Connie and Arnold Friend to share with readers the murders of Charles Schmid. Making the short story informative yet entertaining.
Home is where the heart is, but what if home is no longer safe? Joyce Carol Oates explores this concept in her 1966 short story, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been”. On surface level, this story appears to discuss a rebellious young girl named Connie and her confrontation with Arnold Friend, a stalker. The ending leaves the reader to assume that Arnold Friend plans to sexually assault the young girl.
In the coming of age story “Where Are You Going Where Have You Been?” Joyce Carol Oates uses symbolism, conflict, and the third person to foreshadow fifteen-year-old Connie’s unfortunate, yet untimely fate. While one may think that the conflict stems from Connie’s promiscuity, it is clear to see her promiscuity is only a result to a much bigger conflict, her mother’s constant nagging and disapproval, alongside the lack of attention from her father. the author paints a vivid picture of what happens when a fifteen-year-old girl such as Connie goes elsewhere to find to find the love, attention, and approval that she lacks at home. All which is vital for her growth and wellbeing as a person.
Arnold Friend’s Biblical Allusions In “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”, Joyce Carol Oates tells a story of a young, innocent teenage girl, Connie who enjoys listening to music and begins exploring her sexuality and being with boys “the way it was in the movies and promised in songs” (Oates 198). In fact she catches the attention of Arnold Friend one night while at the mall meeting up with a boy. Not knowing he would appear in her life, Arnold strangely shows up at her house assuming they made plans to get together. His character is seen as the devil.
In her short story "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?", Joyce Carol Oates utilizes a variety of literary devices to strengthen the story in its entirety. This short story is essentially about a 16-year-old girl named Connie and the conflict between her desire to be mature and her desire to remain an adolescent. Throughout the story, the audience sees this conflict through her words in addition to through her behavior. The audience is also introduced to Arnold Friend, a rather peculiar man, who essentially kidnaps her. This short story by Joyce Carol Oates functions and is additionally meaningful because of her usage of literary devices.
“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been,” is about a teenager named Connie who is trying to come to terms with her transformation from childhood to adulthood. Through this process, Connie attempts to act older than she is an tries to gain the attention of boys. In “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been,” Joyce Oates portrays Connie as obsessed with men to symbolize how one’s obsession and narcissistic attitude can cause danger to seem surreal. In the short story, Carol Oates describes Connie as having two different personalities, one being a narcissistic attitude.
Have you ever felt so umcomfortable in a situation it made you scared? WAYG, WHYB written by Joyce Carol Oates is a thriller about a stalker who preys on the main character connie. Through Arnold Friend’s persistance and determination for connie, as well as the biblical references, Joyce Carol Oates shows how Arnold Friend is the devil. Arnold Friend is the devil and this can be proven through his appearance. “Tight faded jeans stuffed into blacked scuffed boots” (Oates 4).
Many symbols are present in the novel, such as milk, light and dark, and home. Milk is associated with youth, immaturity and innocence because it’s white and a very common drink for infants and children. The fact that it’s laced with hallucinogens is representative of corruption of innocence, just like the horrible youth in their society. The idea of light and dark are specifically symbols for Alex, in which light represents danger and darkness is safety. For instance, the doctors that force him into the cruel Reclamation Treatment are always wearing white coats, and the police are always out in the daylight.