Analysis Of 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?'
Paul Rider
Robert Baird
ENGL-1020-P34
1/31/2023
Formalist Analysis
The short story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates, presents how weak family bonds can lead to the loss of innocence in youth through Connie, a young, pretty teen with a poor relationship with her mother and an absent father figure, and Arnold Friend, a man posing as a teen to lure Connie into his arms. Joyce Carol Oates used foreshadowing, symbols, and a clever narrative structure to present this theme.
This story is set in the 1960s in America and follows Connie in the third person through her escape from family life and the loss of innocence. It begins with tension between Connie and her mother over her being too pretty and her rebellious teen nature. To relieve herself from her family feud, she went to shopping malls, restaurants, and met with boys with her ‘girl friends’. At the shopping mall, Connie is spied on by Arnold Friend, an odd man showing an unclear interest in her. The following day, Connie's lack of interest in a family barbeque at her aunt's house leads to isolation in her home until Arnold Friend pulls into her driveway. He manipulates Connie into leaving her house and into his arms after threatening to hurt her
…show more content…
The first half of the text explains the story in paragraphs while the rising action is textualized in dialogue between Connie and Arnold Friend. This structure was likely used to parallel the duality between the two main characters in how they present themselves to people contrary to their true selves. We see this in Connie in how she wears her clothes and does her hair at home compared to when she is out with her friends. Similarly, Arnold Friend is implied to be wearing a mask or makeup to hide his older age. His car is a symbol that reflects this: the old beaten car has a new paintjob over it to look shiny and cryptic characters to mimic
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Analysis Essay
545 Words | 3 PagesOates builds a tension that is released when Connie is forced to choose between her freedom and her safety through her descriptions of Connie's character, her encounters with Arnold Friend, and her choices. Connie's craving for independence and her susceptibility to Arnold Friend's scheming is understood by Oates, who highlights the need to make a responsible choice and the dangers of acting on instinct. Oates creates a strong contrast between these two forces via symbolism, imagery, and personality, finally leading Connie to face her mortality and the effects of her naivete.
Summary Of 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?'
219 Words | 1 PagesFrom the opening lines of, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” By Joyce Carol Oates, readers are immediately introduced to the character, as well as indicating the story is being told by a third person narrator. The use of a third person narrator lets readers know what connie is thinking allowing them to identify with her on a more personal level. The beginning of the story is also introduced in past tense. This could foreshadow the fact that something bad might have happened to connie, also suggesting the theme of violence.
Figurative Language In Where Have You Been Where Are You Going
1583 Words | 7 PagesConnie lives in a world where men enjoy exploiting women, so she doesn't see much of it. Connie respects Arnold's savage and forceful attitude as typical. Connie's house is like a cardboard box in the story. " In this location, inside your father's house, I can smash down any cardboard box."
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Arnold Friend Character Analysis
1344 Words | 6 PagesKevin Billy Professor Lane ENG152 Section 17 1 March 2023 An Old Fiend Elements from the Bible have been incorporated in literary works all throughout time. Characters in all sorts of stories throughout history have been subjected to the idea of resisting evil and being free of sin. A prominent example of this is in the story “Where are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates. This short story takes place from the perspective of Connie, who is an average high school student who has become particularly vulnerable to temptations people her age face.
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Arnold Friend Character Analysis
860 Words | 4 PagesIn Joyce Carol Oates short story Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been , the deception of appearances plays a colossal role in the development of the story. Characters are not what they seem and are portrayed differently than the person they truly are. When the main character tries to make herself become something she is not, she leaves herself open to a person doing the exact same thing. The story focuses on the protagonist, fifteen year old Connie, who believes that she is too far from adulthood and finds herself longing to be older.
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Character Analysis Essay
1092 Words | 5 PagesWhere Are You Going, Where Have You Been is a short story written by Joyce Carol Oates, centered on the protagonist 15 year old Connie. In this short story Oates sets the frame-work for religious allegory- the seduction of a young woman coming to terms with the hand she has been dealt as a result of her choices [you need to something here] similar to that of Eve (Urbanski, 1978). In the first paragraph, we are introduced to Connie who is an eccentric, and spoiled fifteen year old with middle class parents. We become aware of the fact that Connie has an unhappy home life, the story states that her father “was away at work most of the time," and he "didn't bother talking much to them,"(422); as a result, Connie never received any form of love
Analysis Of Where Are You Going Where Have You Been
1181 Words | 5 PagesThe 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.
Archetypes In Where Are You Going Where Have You Been
1428 Words | 6 PagesHome 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.
Symbolism In 'Where Are You Going Where Have You Been?'
700 Words | 3 PagesFriend himself. There’s so much symbolism going around this one character and his beloved car alone, that one could write a separate paper on the topic. Speaking of yet more symbolism, we get finally get a formal introduction to Arnold Friend, who’s name alone symbolizes trouble. Since Arnold Friend is symbolizing Satan a known shapeshifter, one could do a little reading into the several interpretations of his name. One, An old friend, this being Eddie, the guy she had burgers with at the mall.
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Literary Devices
688 Words | 3 PagesTherefore, the fake narrative that enforces the idea that popular culture is the most significant aspect of teenage life is represented through its grotesque religiosity. Additionally, the symbolism of youth revealed through the antagonist’s actions represents false assumptions about adolescence. For instance, Arnold’s wig and his fake tan create a false narrative of what being young is; on the contrary, Connie’s inexperience is a more accurate depiction. Overall, Oates’s symbols reinforce the message presented in the story that some life elements are not what they
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Arnold Friend Character Analysis
778 Words | 4 PagesIn Joyce Carol Oates’s Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been , there certainly is no clear cut way to interpret the story. Oates includes symbolism throughout the story that adds depth and requires the reader to look farther into the reasons behind the details that are included the work. She writes about a fifteen year old girl, Connie, who becomes a victim of Arnold Friend while left home alone . Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been was written in 1966, a time during which a social revolution for American women was in full swing. This empowerment that woman had, as they pushed for complete gender equality, inspired the character of Connie.
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Arnold Friend Character Analysis
969 Words | 4 PagesNot only does it represent how outdated and bold Arnold is, but it represents Connie too. Arnold has come to take Connie on a ride away from the stuffy home that she despises as if it were some kind of prison. When Arnold starts getting a bit more aggressive with Connie the house becomes her only means of safety, and the car becomes the thing that she must avoid the most because it is what Arnold will use to take her. Her family and home will no longer suffocate Connie in the way that bothered her so, but the car will be her new means of confinement. Once the inevitable happens, and Connie gets in the car, there will be no way of escaping it or Arnold.
Literary Devices In Where Are You Going Where Have You Been
804 Words | 4 PagesIn 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.
Analysis Of Carol Joyce Oates Where Are You Going Where Have You Been?
1777 Words | 8 PagesCarol Joyce Oates’ “Where Are You Going Where Have You Been?” presents how falling into temptation leads to giving up control and innocence. Though her mother is unapproving of her actions, Connie spends her time seeking attention from male strangers. Home alone, Connie is approached by a compelling creature who convinces her to leave her life and join him on his unknown journey. Through disapproving her family, having multiple appearances, listening to music, and her desperation to receive attention from boys, Connie gives up control of herself losing the purity of adolescents and contributing to her detrimental fate. It is imperative that one should not be controlled because of a desire to impress others.
Character Analysis Of Connie In 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been'
984 Words | 4 PagesConnie’s first encounter with Friend was at a diner when he stated to Connie, “Gonna get you, baby”(pg.1142). Because Connie was use to this type of attention, she did not view it as strange that an older man was calling her in such away. However, if Connie had seen Friend as dangerous instead of just another man, her kidnapping might have been prevented. Later in the story when Friend showed up as Connie’s house, she walked outside and talked to him instead of questioning how he knew where she lived or calling the police. Oates described Connie's interaction with Friend by stating,“Connie liked the way he was dressed, which was the way all of them dressed: tight faded jeans stuffed into black, scuffed boots, a belt that pulled his waist in and showed how lean he was, and a white pullover shirt that was a little soiled and showed the hard muscles of his arms and shoulders”(pg.1145).
More about Analysis Of 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?'
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Analysis Essay
545 Words | 3 PagesSummary Of 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?'
219 Words | 1 PagesFigurative Language In Where Have You Been Where Are You Going
1583 Words | 7 PagesWhere Are You Going Where Have You Been Arnold Friend Character Analysis
1344 Words | 6 PagesWhere Are You Going Where Have You Been Arnold Friend Character Analysis
860 Words | 4 PagesWhere Are You Going Where Have You Been Character Analysis Essay
1092 Words | 5 PagesAnalysis Of Where Are You Going Where Have You Been
1181 Words | 5 PagesArchetypes In Where Are You Going Where Have You Been
1428 Words | 6 PagesSymbolism In 'Where Are You Going Where Have You Been?'
700 Words | 3 PagesWhere Are You Going Where Have You Been Literary Devices
688 Words | 3 PagesWhere Are You Going Where Have You Been Arnold Friend Character Analysis
778 Words | 4 PagesWhere Are You Going Where Have You Been Arnold Friend Character Analysis
969 Words | 4 PagesLiterary Devices In Where Are You Going Where Have You Been
804 Words | 4 PagesAnalysis Of Carol Joyce Oates Where Are You Going Where Have You Been?
1777 Words | 8 PagesCharacter Analysis Of Connie In 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been'
984 Words | 4 Pages