Approaching Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? by Joyce Carol Oates through a feminist lens significantly contributes to the development of the themes of female vulnerability and the oppressive nature of a patriarchal society. To begin with, Oates portrays the teenage girl protagonist, Connie, as a victim of societal expectations and male objectification. Connie’s mother constantly criticizes her appearance and behaviour, reinforcing the idea that a woman’s worth lies in her conformity to traditional gender roles. This message is particularly delivered as Connie’s mother says, “Why don’t you keep your room clean like your sister? How’ve you got your hair fixed—what the hell stinks? Hair spray? You don’t see your sister using that junk” …show more content…
The emphasis on Connie’s expectations suggests that her appearance and behaviour are constantly scrutinized, allowing for the revelation of the theme of women’s objectification and the pressure to conform to societal ideals. It signifies how patriarchal norms strip women of their individuality and independence, reducing them to objects of the male gaze and societal judgment. By comparing Connie’s behaviour and appearance to that of her sister, it becomes evident that women are constantly being compared and evaluated against each other based on their adherence to traditional gender roles. This also reinforces the notion that a woman’s worth is measured by her ability to meet these expectations, creating a sense of vulnerability and self-doubt. The contrasting expectations placed on Connie and her sister enable Oates to effectively highlight the gender inequality and oppressive nature of patriarchal norms, shedding light on the challenges faced by women in society. Moreover, Arnold Friend’s manipulation and coercion exemplify the power dynamics inherent within patriarchal …show more content…
The description implies that Connie is willing to give up her current life and embrace his offer, displaying the power dynamics at play. This manipulation reflects the larger system of patriarchal control, in which women are often lured into danger by men who promise them a better life but ultimately seek to dominate and exploit them. Through Arnold, Oates is able to illustrate how men can assert dominance and control over women by capitalizing on their vulnerability and manipulating their aspirations. Hence, Arnold’s coercion and manipulation demonstrate the power dynamics within patriarchal control and the risks faced by women who challenge or resist such control, revealing the need for societal change and women’s empowerment. In all, Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? explores the theme of feminism by giving forth to female vulnerability and patriarchal control. The objectification and sexualization of Connie highlight the oppressive nature of a patriarchal society, reinforcing the notion that women exist primarily for the male gaze and
Finally, Oates uses irony when Connie tells Arnold that he is "crazy"(72) and he responds by saying that she is the one who is "crazy"(72). This is ironic because it is clear to the reader that Arnold is the one who is truly unstable. Overall, "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" is a work of fiction that employs several different rhetorical devices to create a haunting
Throughout Joyce Carol Oates’s short story, “Where are you going, Where have you been?” (1966), readers follow the story of a 15-year-old girl who is trying to rebel against the social and familial structures of 1960’s American society. Joyce Carol Oates was inspired by the events in Arizona when Charles Schmid, a serial killer, took three women’s lives. She was attempting to share with the American public what those girls might have been thinking when they left with Schmid. In the short story, Connie is described as a self-centered girl who is too preoccupied with her looks, which draws negative attention to herself from her mom and older men.
The short story Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? Is about a girl named Connie and her encounter with a strange man calling himself Arnold Friend. Connie is a young girl in high school who takes great pride in her looks. Her looks mean everything to her and gives her a sense of vanity. However, she does not have a good relationship with her family members.
In the story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oats the overall theme is maturing as a woman. With this theme comes different experiences that main character Connie has experienced. Connie is a fifteen year old girl who is maturing and trying to step into womanhood as a teenager. Connies confidence is always debunked by her mother, she always scorns Connie insisting that she stops always looking at herself and being overly confident in herself. While Connie sneaks a date an older guy hits on her, this older man named Arnold Friend comes to Connie's home and insists that Connie comes outside for a ride or her family will get hurt.
The prejudice that the author brings forward strongly is the notion of feminism. The author’s main purpose of writing this novel is to examine the role of women played around
A novel by Joyce Carol Oates, "Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been?" explores the concept of victimhood and victimization towards an adolescent named Connie. In the course of the novel, Joyce Carol Oates describes Connie's reactions to various situations and conflicts in her life, such as the situation with Arnold and his friend. Because of her mother's unfairness, Connie is in the position she is in today. Thus, we should never blame the victims.
The story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been” by Joyce Carol Oates, is a one where the idea of how girl who struggles with wanting to be a mature woman, faces her demon full form. The protagonist of the story is Connie, a 15-year-old rebel girl, obsessed with her look; and through fault of her own, meets the antithesis of herself, the antagonist of the story, Arnold Friend. Connie seeks to be a mature adult and desires an emancipation from her family. Seeing herself as mature woman through the desires of her attraction by other boys and men, as well as her mother. Its this same desire which acts as the main fault for her character.
The 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.
Home 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.
In 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.
In 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.
In 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.
The 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.
Carol 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.
“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.