Symbolism In Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?
Connie is a fifteen-year-old who is trying to make the best of her life by seeking attention from others. Having the attention, she wants makes her feel superior, and make her feel like no one can tear down her ego. The only one trying to tear down her ego is her mother who wants her to be like her older sister June who is the opposite of Connie. She is mature and even helps the family out. For Connie to be taught a lesson of her conceded qualities, she encounters meet Arnold. Arnold is someone who knows every detail about Connie’s lifestyle and supposedly wants to be with her. The dialogue between her and Arnold makes her come to the realization of growing up. In, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” I believe that Oates is conveying the nature of adolescence through symbolism, tone, and …show more content…
One of them is reality vs. fantasy. From reading the story twice, I picked up on if Arnold is real or not. In my opinion, I do not think Arnold is real. Connie does not recognize him and is perplexed on how he even knows her at all. Another reason that made me think he is not real is how she passes out when she answers the phone, and he somehow had her phone number as well. Even if this was real or not, what Arnold was symbolizing was adulthood and how Connie needs to become mature. Another example of symbolism that is being used is the song “Baby Blue” by Bob Dylan. Arnold has similar characteristics of Bob Dylan. Arnold and Bob Dylan were both considered eerie and like a messiah figure. This also justified why I thought Arnold is not real. “My sweet little blue-eyed girl” (Oates 108). Connie did not even have blue eyes, yet Arnold stated that. This is another way of symbolizing Bob Dylan. Arnold was showing an obsession over Connie only, as Connie has an obsession over herself with what others think of her. Arnold and Connie’s obsessions are both examples of showing the nature of
Differences Between Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Book And Movie
947 Words | 4 PagesThe story presents a rebellious teenager named Connie who is also preoccupied with her appearance. She was approached by Arnold Friend in her house but before this,
Arnold Friend Symbolism
1412 Words | 6 PagesLiving “just an ordinary girl’s” life was no longer the lifestyle for a girl named Connie. Once a man told her that she was gonna be his, her life turned. Connie was no longer able to forget about reality instead she was forced into adulthood by a man named Arnold Friend. Connie is the main character in the short story, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”, by Joyce Carol Oates. The story is mainly about how Arnold Friend, a sort of stalker of Connie’s, comes to her house.
In Joyce Carol Oates 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?'?
2015 Words | 9 PagesAnd it’s all over now, Baby Blue” (Dylan). These two lines were represented when Connie’s conscience had to help her change and start over by destroying her fantasies. After the experience with Arnold Friend, Connie realizes how she can hurt herself which ends her threatening fixation. “The lover who just walked out your door / Has taken all his blankets from the floor / The carpet, too, is moving under you” (Dylan).
Literary Analysis Of Where Are You Going Where Have You Been
2215 Words | 9 PagesConnie who’s usual self-absorbed and seemingly in control of situations when it comes to boys her own age finds herself struggling for control when Arnold arrives at her door. “Connie stared at him, another wave of dizziness and fear rising in her so that for a moment he wasn't even in focus but was just a blur standing there against his gold car, and she had the idea that he had driven up the driveway all right but had come from nowhere before that and belonged nowhere and that everything about him and even about the music that was so familiar to her was only half real” (Oates 6). Connie begins to realize she’s not ready for the responsibilities of adulthood after all. In fact when she starts to realize the sexual advances from Arnold, she begins to panic. ” she was so sick with fear that she could do nothing but listen to it—the telephone was clammy and very heavy and her fingers groped down to the dial but were too weak to touch it.
Analysis Of The Story 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been'
692 Words | 3 PagesHis statement demonstrates a clear sense of ownership over Connie, as he objectifies her as his date and not a woman with the ability to make her own decisions. This highlights the patriarchal ideology of such men, who cannot see women as able to make their own decisions, rather as objects for a man to satisfy himself. Arnold’s manipulation techniques are also shown in display when he uses terms such as ‘lover’ and ‘honey’. By doing so, Arnold tries to force an emotional connection between the two, as if he calls Connie these terms of endearment, she has no choice but to believe she is his ‘lover’, ultimately giving Arnold the power trip and dominance he searches for within Connie. To conclude, as one reads the short story Where are you Going, Where Have you
Arnold Friend Character Analysis
1137 Words | 5 PagesHowever, this is countered when Connie notes that “he was much older—thirty, maybe more” (315), a fact that frightens her. What Arnold is to Connie is a challenge of her want to be an adult, and a trail of her ability to deal with adult issue. Such as a man who singles her out sexual reason. Her wish to be an adult is something she seeks while passively avoiding it. Her avoidance is marked by day dreams of puppy love romance, like a typical teenager; yet, her attractive flaunt to be mature is presented as if she seeks to be an
Joyce Carol Oates Use Of Foreshadow
321 Words | 2 PagesJoyce Carol Oates uses physical characterization to foreshadow early on what truly is going to happen to Connie. Arnold is hiding things about his physical appearance. No matter what Connie says or does, Arnold keeps talking, and yet he reveals nothing about himself. He never physically asks Connie to join him, but his words have the same force and pull as the actions he only threatens to take. "Soon
Symbolism In 'Where Are You Going Where Have You Been?'
700 Words | 3 PagesAlthough he’s older than Arnold, he’s only riding shotgun but he’s taking orders from Arnold which gives him the impression of being the Devil’s advocate. In conclusion, conclusion “For Bob Dylan”, reads the dedication in the story’s initial’s publication. Few years prior to this story’s initial release Dylan recorded a song “It’s All Over Now Baby Blue”, which has lyrics such as
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Theme Analysis
1255 Words | 6 PagesWhen Connie realizes that Arnold is much older than she thought, she is taken over by fear of what’s going to happen. This situation is much different than anything else she has ever
Examples Of Allusions In Where Are You Going Where Have You Been
854 Words | 4 PagesHe tries to seduce and persuade her to go with him for a ride similar to how the Devil lured Eve with a shiny and mysterious apple. Oates displays evidence of biblical allusions regarding Arnold Friend’s appearance and persona in the story by depicting his physical characteristics, his supernatural knowledge, and his demeanor as an image of evil. Connie wants to be desired for her sexuality and Arnold possesses this by his tone throughout the story. His appearance comes
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Arnold Friend Comparison
1190 Words | 5 PagesIn Joyce Carol Oates fictional short story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” the majority of the story lies beneath the surface. More specifically than just the story, you realize that there is more to the character Arnold Friend than what may appear. The author has always remained silent and ambiguous about the real meaning of Arnold Friend’s true nature and she leaves room for the readers to make their own interpretation of him. Readers can analyze Arnold Friend and see him as the devil, he could just be the personification of popular music imagined by Connie in a dream, but Arnold Friend could also be the result of drug use.
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Arnold Friend Character Analysis
1202 Words | 5 PagesThe short story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” written by Joyce Carol Oates, is about the main character Connie and her life. Connie is self-centered, preoccupied with her looks to attract boys. She despises her parents and wishes that she could escape from her family. Freedom and men are what she desires most but sadly, sometimes people are not careful for what they wish for. Arnold Friend is an evil and a physical manifestation
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.
Character Analysis Of Connie In 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been'
984 Words | 4 Pages“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.
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Literary Analysis
694 Words | 3 PagesOates’s biography explained her fiction writing as a mixture violence and sexual obsession. The writing style definitely fits the plot point of this story with both of her literary ingredients being present in not only Arnold Friend but in Connie as well. The Protagonist Connie is presented in a very self-centered way. She is obsessed with her looks and often fantasizes about all the boys she meets.
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