The Story "Where Are You Going Where Have You Been?" by Joyce Carol Oates

The story Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? by Joyce Carol Oates is based on real events which took place in the beginning of 1960s.

Its a short fiction story about the young girl Connie and her teenager world which is so roughly disturbed by one tragic event one summer morning. Connie is a teenager preoccupied with her appearance, music and young guys. She has difficult relationship with her family. What she really enjoys is spending time with her friends and dating. She deceives her parents to get to the city and get some freedom to spend the time the way she likes it. Her attention was attracted by the very strange gaze of an unknown dark-haired stylish guy at the street. She didnt expect to meet him once again but one sunny Sunday his car stopped next to her house when she stayed home alone doing nothing. Connie is in a great surprise when she recognizes that stranger from the street in the driver of the car. Strangers name is Alfred and he came there wi th his friend to pick Connie up for a ride. Connie is enchanted and embarrassed with his attention in the beginning. Friendly talk of Alfred changes gradually to threats and promises to hurt Connies family if she refuses to join them for a ride. The story ends with Connies slow walking towards Alfred and we never know that follows afterwards. The story is full of symbolism and has the elements of mystics and irony.

Ive chosen the main character Connie for analyzing. She is described as a typical teenager in the beginning of the story. She lives in her own world and doesnt bother herself much with the problems of the others. At least we see it in the beginning of the story. She is described like a pretty, fair-haired girl of fifteen years old. There is one more noticeable thing in her description Everything about her had two sides to it, one for home and one for anywhere that was not home: her walk, which could be childlike and bobbing, or languid enough to make anyon e think she was hearing music in her head ... The author shows us how much she was interested in the opinion of others and how much she wanted to be noticed and appreciated by them. And how indifferent she could be sometimes to her family. The way she thinks about her mother and sister shows us that they were not very close and Connie looked down at them for their uninteresting style and colorless appearance. Self-centered as most of the teenagers are, Connie doesnt try to get to the inner world of the other people, even the closest members of the family. In her wish to express herself she chooses childish ways and works for public.

Being sensitive and romantic as we can see from the music she likes she still cares more about the prestige of having a boyfriend than about finding a true love. In her search of new impressions she is ready to deceive her parents not telling them about the places she visits and doesnt think much about the possible consequences. The wish to have a boy-friend is more important for her than to have a close person near and she tries to find the proof of her social status and her attractive appearance in others.

That is the way we see Connie in the beginning of the story. She is a typical girl of her age and there is nothing noticeable about her. New trait of character oozes in the end of the story when threatened by Alfred Friend - a mysterious stranger who promises to hurt the member of her family if she doesnt obey him she finds the strength to stand up and go with him realizing that that could be the end for her. She thought, Im not going to see my mother again. She thought, Im not going to sleep in my bed again. I think that is a very brave gesture for terrified young girl nobody could expect of her in the beginning of the story. Even the stale heAr t of Alfred was touched with the sincerity and nobility of her action: now theyre eating corn and hot dogs cooked to bursting over an outdoor fire, and they dont know one thing about you and never did and honey, youre better than them because not a one of them would have done this for you. The story and this character pArticularly made me think about the depth of human soul, generosity and love.

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Author:: Aaron SchwArtz
Keywords:: The story Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? by Joyce Carol Oates
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