In “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”, to some, the story of Connie seems that of a naïve girl turned into a heroine, where she gives herself to Arnold for her family to be unharmed. To others, like Tom Quirk, Connie leaves with Arnold in a form of rebellion against society. It could be both, depending on how the reader takes in the words. Nonetheless, this rebellion that is mentioned by Quirk is apparent in most youth and it’s mostly displayed as defiance against the norms. This way of acting is all led by influence. This influence comes from every single factor in their lives. Even the smallest of things can affect someone’s feelings and actions, like a pebble thrown in water, no matter the size of the pebble, it will still create ripples in the water. In the short story, Oates’ comment on American society is displayed through Connie, revealing how in a teen’s life, family problems, youth culture, and society can influence the rebellion against social conventions.
Through Connie’s life, Oates explains this influence that caused the rebellion inside Connie that Quirk mentions in
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In youth generations, teens are more sensitive to things, since they are learning who they are. Family plays a big role in a person’s life; if a person’s upbringing was negative, they’ll most likely have this negative view of the world, though it’s not true for everyone. Youth culture is just as important for young people since this culture is where they learn how to be and how to feel. Like in today’s youth culture, it all revolves around what is trending on the internet and who’s doing what. Lastly, society, which is many times perceived as negative by young people; thanks to songs and media, sometimes they don’t feel like they fit in with the standards that are set by
From the opening lines of, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” By Joyce Carol Oates, readers are immediately introduced to the character, as well as indicating the story is being told by a third person narrator. The use of a third person narrator lets readers know what connie is thinking allowing them to identify with her on a more personal level. The beginning of the story is also introduced in past tense. This could foreshadow the fact that something bad might have happened to connie, also suggesting the theme of violence.
What genre of literature would you say teens are into the most? Turns out teens tend to turn to dystopian societies, now do you know why? Teens these days are just getting darker in all types of ways one of the ways they are getting darker is they are starting to enjoy darker genres of literature and movies. One of the ways to show you why they can relate to these stories is by talking about the movie The Giver based off the book by Lois Lowry directed by Phillip Noyce and the book Anthem written by Ayn Rand. Now teens these days like dystopian societies and one reason is because of how they can relate to them and for there darker nature.
Arnold Friend was there to take Connie away; away from her childhood and home, which never quite felt like home until her fantasy world deteriorated and reality set it. The next moment is pivotal, this is when Connie forgets her hedonism and becomes something of much more substance. Before Connie studies Arnold Friend’s abnormal personality and erratic behavior she is fascinated by him and even worries that she is ill prepared for this
However, 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
Connie does not have a relationship with any of her family members, and the author Bob Dylan uses this lack of relationships to illustrate her behavior outside of the house. The significance of a lack of a relationship with her father,sister and mother put her in a position of vulnerability and low self-esteem. In addition, because Connie is neglected in her family she feels the need to rebel to grab attention. Connie’s decision to go near the car of Arnold Friend and act in a sexual manner is a result of her poor family connections because her lack of family connections puts her in a position of vulnerability and puts her in a position of rebellion. As the climax of the story progresses Connie comes to the conclusion that being in a relationship with Arnold Friend is not a good idea.
In the short story, “where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” Arnold Friend tries to get Connie to do bad things to please him, which is revealed through arnold friend him Arnold Friend makes a promise to Connie at the drive-in-dinner In the short story it said “I'm going to get you baby”Oates. This foreshadows what is going to happen later on in the story it foreshadows that arnold will come for Connie and try to get her anyway possible .The
Again, the reader sees traditional values placed against changing times, reinforcing Connie’s internal struggle to define
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.
When 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
At the end of "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” I believe that Connie is a normal girl. Although Connie is illustrated as a self-indulgent and vein teenager I did see anything that stood out in the text with lead me to believe that she was particularly evil. The same goes for her being a good girl she didn’t do anything that I found profoundly good. The fact the Arnold Friend scares Connie into coming with him is a cause for concluding that he is evil.
In this story, Oates describes Connie character as a pretty young girl with “long dark blond hair that drew anyone’s eye to it.” (86) Because Connie led two different lives, she would dress and look different at home, then she would with
In 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.
In the story, Arnold came to take Connie away, and she is ultimately powerless to defy him. Oates’s recreation of Bob Dylan is purposeful, and meaningful particularly during the time period in which it takes place. In the 1960s, when Oates wrote “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” a social revolution was happening. American women were stating with confidence about their rights and getting independence from men.
“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.
Since they were from a different generation, they may not understand a lot that teens go through. Everything is different from when they were growing up. Gen Z has more access to information on the internet, so they grow up faster. Social media places pressures on Gen Z that their parents never knew. School is even different.