The short story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” is written by Joyce Carol Oates and talks about a girl named Connie who is a carefree fifteen-year-old girl. When she is faced with Arnold Friend, a man who is trying to flirt with her and tries to get her to his car, she does not want it. Connie did not expect this encounter and becomes afraid when she comes across Arnold. Connie, who made “. .sure her own [looks were] all right” (988), wanted to become independent and do things that not every girl her age does, faces a male who wants her, but she does not want him, she begins to become afraid. The story shows that Connie was not prepared for Arnold Friend’s despite her actions beforehand.
Connie is the opposite of her sister, June. June is a goodie-to-shoes while Connie wants to be her own person. Her mother always nags on Connie saying that she should be like June who follows the rules and is a good role model. Her mom tells her, “Why don’t you keep your room clean like your sister?.. You don’t see you sister using that junk” (988). Connie does this so that way she can see what she likes and what she does not like. Connie’s actions also coincide with her being fifteen.
Connie is exploring these new ways to express herself at too young of an age. “Everything about her had two sides to it. . .” (989) Connie will dress modestly when she is home, so she can please her mother, and the moment when she comes out of the door, her whole outfit will change to Connie’s