Symbolism In 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been'

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There are many dangerous things in this world, and most people would never recognize them. Anyone can be dangerous, yet they would look so normal to the world. “Where are you Going, Where Have you Been” shows that exact thing. There are many threatening figures in the short story, and most people do not recognize them until they are right in their face. The symbols are the only thing that would show the danger’s true self. In the story “Where are you Going, Where Have you Been,” symbolism is one of the main literary elements used to reveal the ugly in the word. As Connie is an innocent child, she does not recognize all of the dangers that are in the world. There are points in the story where Connie does not comprehend the threats that are all around her. “Connie said she would meet her at eleven, across the way. "I just hate to leave her like that," Connie said earnestly, but the boy said that she wouldn't be alone for long.” (Carol Oates …show more content…

After the night Connie went out with her friends, and the night that Arnold Friend called after Connie, he showed up unexpected at Connie’s house. “Connie blushed a little, because the glasses made it impossible for her to see just what this boy was looking at. She couldn't decide if she liked him or if he was just a jerk, and so she dawdled in the doorway and wouldn't come down or go back inside.” (Carol Oates 3). Connie was still blind to how unsafe Arnold Friend was that she was blushing to little things that he would say to her, and that made Arnold even more infatuated with her. Arnold said, “You're cute.", and Connie would blushed and fidgeted with her fingers. "Don'tcha wanta see what's on the car? Don'tcha wanta go for a ride?" (Carol Oates 3). Arnold tried to convince Connie to go with him. He wanted to take her away, and that is where Connie finally realized of the terrible predicament that she was

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