where you are going, where you have been essay
Joyce Carol Oates' "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" is a short story that amplifies the importance of knowing where you are and what you are doing, especially your children. In this story the main character, Connie, is a 15-year-old girl who falls victim to a rape and murder by Arnold Friend, although the story doesn't take you that far. This story is set in the late 50's early 60's. Let's talk about Connie. She's a young, beautiful, naive, girl caught up in a dream world. Her mom is not interested in what she does, she constantly nags her about her looks, almost like she's jealous, telling Connie she should be more like her sister. Oates states, "Stop gawking at yourself, who are you? You think you're so pretty?" She would say"(655). Her sister June is 24, she still lives at home, and is also plain and chunky. She is the secretary at the schoo
Oates says, "He wagged a finger and laughed and said, "Gonna get you, baby," and Connie turned away. She looked out the window but did not recognize the car. He then finds out where she lives and that her family is gone to a barbecue. Before her mother had left she stated, "Stay home alone then" (657). Then she heard a car coming up the drive, she knew it couldn't be her family so soon. It's not until Connie sees him up close that she sees how old he really is. It is so unfortunate that her life is ending at 15 and she knows it. He met Connie at a drive-in restaurant where the older kids hang out. She hopes one day that her dream boy will come on his valiant horse take her away and they will get married. This is her first taste of reality and she finds herself scared and doesn't know what to do. Connie resents her family for their lack of thought towards her and her goals. It was the guy from the drive-in, how did he know where she lived? He said his name was Arnold Friend.
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arnold friend,
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