Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Character Analysis Essay
Where 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 …show more content…
Oates portrays Arnold as an opposing force within Connie’s innocent fantasy world. Arnold is well aware of the fact that he can easily manipulate Connie and effortlessly corrupt the world in which she lives in, and nothing can prevent him from doing just that. He is the predator and Connie is his prey, he is committed to luring Connie either willingly or by force. Every extraneous detail about the appearance and behavior of Arnold epitomizes his dark and suspicious personality. A physical description of Arnold’s appearance indicates that he has “shaggy, shabby black hair that looked crazy as a wig” (424). His hair differs from Connie’s whose golden blonde hair is symbol of her innocence. When Oates describes the appearance of Arnold’s hair resembling that of a wig it is implied that this is a cover-up of some sort on his end. Arnold’s sunglasses send back images similar to that of a looking glass and they shield his eyes. The fact that his eyes are not visible to someone else it is a type of disguise he uses to cover up who he actually is. His sunglasses also constitute as symbol. His car symbolizes the dark nature of his appearance. The gold on his car epitomizes a flashy type of persona in order for him to appeal to younger
Arnold Friend Symbolism
2030 Words | 9 PagesWhen AF first appears at Connie’s home, she sees his qualities that are similar to the boys she likes: they all wore, “tight faded jeans stuffed into black, scuff boots, a belt that pulled his waist in and showed how lean he was, and white pull-over shirt that was a little soiled and showed the hard small muscles of his arms and shoulders” (par. 46). This man could be dressing to look like a person she would like, almost as if he was trying to fit in with his surroundings. He might be wearing a disguise to better his appearance because if he went out as the Devil, people would avoid him. Connie soon realizes this man is not who he says. Connie confronts about his age and continues to see more oddities about AF, “he had shaggy, shabby black hair that looked crazy as a wig” (par. 16).
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Arnold Friend Character Analysis
1112 Words | 5 Pages“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been,” written by Joyce Carol Oates is a story briefly filled with love, crime, and violence. Joyce Carol depicts serial killer Charles Schmid in her story. The character Arnold Friend lacks the potential to kill that the real life serial killer had. In the story Connie’s wild, carefree attitude draws the attention of Arnold Friend. He watched her from aside for a while but Connie was so caught up in what she was doing that she didn’t notice him until.
Why Is Nick Carraway Important In The Great Gatsby
1119 Words | 5 PagesHis money, fame, and expensive parties were all methods devised by Gatsby to impress Daisy after not seeing her for five years. The aspect of Gatsby’s life that best symbolizes his lavish lifestyle is his yellow car. Yellow is the color most easily visible to the human eye, perfect for catching Daisy’s attention. In The Great Gatsby, the color represents the wealth of the newly rich in West Egg.
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Character Analysis
592 Words | 3 PagesIn the story Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? by Joyce Carol Oates, the main character Connie is continuously trying to find herself and become more independent. Constant fights with her mother lead Connie wanting more freedom and to live her life the way she sees fit and finds an escape in music. Throughout the story, Oates places emphasis on music in each scene, whether it be related to Connie’s second personality, at the diner or the music being played in Arnold Friends’ car. This recurrence of music acts as a symbol for Connie’s hunger for independence.
Where Are You Going
1108 Words | 5 PagesTeenagers in the 1960’s were facing a time of change with the civil rights movement and the development of hip culture. The lives of teenagers contrast the lives of their family because they are both adopting different personalities with different interests in music and activities. In the story Where are you going, Where have you been, Joyce Carol Oates 's depicts a specific example of the changing 1960’s middle class America by describing the story of a teenage girl named Connie who undergoes her own tribulation with a older man who attempts to take advantage of her body. Family relationships are one of the main cores of a character in characters as they act differentlly depending their situation, and most of the time teenagers are rebellious.
The Theme Of Ignorance In Joyce Carol Oates 'Where Are You Been?'
1399 Words | 6 Pagesshows the readers that that vanity and lack of self-awareness can make some vulnerable and easily fall for the evilness of the world. Because Connie became vulnerable, she was easily persuaded by Arnold, who was portrayed as the Devil figure and the darkness that exists, to leave her the known safety of her home and to embark on the road to the unclear future. Oates’s story teaches the readers to be cautious of their surroundings and of the people that are unfamiliar to them that live in the same society. That is because even if someone appears to look a certain way they might have a mask that hides the true darkness and evilness that is in their body and
Symbolism In 'Where Are You Going Where Have You Been?'
700 Words | 3 PagesIn 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.
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Theme Analysis
1255 Words | 6 PagesConnie uses her attitude and appearance to attract boys. But she is not aware of the reality of the society in which she lives. Connie is living in a fantasy world, but when she gets trapped by Arnold Friend she is put into a scary reality. There
Examples Of Allusions In Where Are You Going Where Have You Been
854 Words | 4 PagesArnold 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.
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 Where Are You Going Where Have You Been
1203 Words | 5 PagesThe short story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates is about a teenage girl named Connie who is in the mist of her adolescent rebellion. She wants to prove her maturity to others and herself. In the story, Oates describes that Connie always lets her mind flow freely in between her daydream. She even creates and keeps dreaming about her ideal male figure in her mind to make her happy and satisfied. Oates allows the reader to step into Connie’s “dream world” through the appearance of Arnold Friend.
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Arnold Friend Analysis
817 Words | 4 PagesIn Joyce Carol Oates’s “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”, Connie is a fifteen-year-old girl, who does not necessarily get along with her family. During the week, she often times goes to a shopping plaza with some of her friends. However, they sneak across the highway to go to a popular diner where the older crowd hangs out at. At home, Connie is often times arguing with her family. One day her family is invited to her aunt's barbecue but Connie refuses to go.
Arnold Friend Deception
812 Words | 4 PagesWhen reading the story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” Arnold Friend shows an obvious masquerade to readers. His act of deception to Connie shows that he has done this before, and has succeeded. He tricks Connie by changing his appearance to make himself look younger than he actually is, playing the same music she listens to, and tells her he knows who her friends and family are. Connie is an easy target for Arnold because she is very boy crazy.
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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