where are you going? where have you been?
In the short story, Where Are You Going Where Have You Been? by Joyce Carol Oats, Connie has one foot in the adult world and one foot still in childhood. Connie wants to be treated like an adult and have the privileges of an adult, but she still wants the benefits of being able to be carefree. Connie's home life establishes why she is like this. First, Connie's mother is always on Connie's back nagging; comparing her to her older sister June who is twenty-four and still living at home. Connie's mother seems to always have a snide remark towards Connie, "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" (Lawn 406). Connie seems to be in the shadow of her sister, as if she can never satisfy her mother. Connie is too young and innocent to realize she is putting herself in danger. "Walking around that shopping plaza in their shorts and flat ballerina slippers that always scuffed the sidewalk, with charm bracelets jingling on their thin wrists; they would lean together to whisper and laugh secretly if someone passes by who amused or interested them" (Lawn 407). Never once did she think her childish ways of flirting wer
She dresses scantily giving off this image of being promiscuous, which guys are looking to take advantage of. She wanted her childhood back but this time it was to late. Later she saw through his disguise and found out he is not the nice guy she thought he was. Because listen: why bring them in this?"(Lawn 419), it makes the reader realize she is embarrassed and scared of what her parents might think if they found out. This is why Connie seems to still be stuck in childhood because she lacks confidence and it puts her out to be vulnerable. Connie thinks she is full-fledged going to the drive in restaurant by the way she dresses and acts but little does she know it is going to get her in trouble and trouble she can't handle. Connie is still young and she cannot handle all situations that are placed before her and needs the guidance of her parents. For instance when Arnold Friend came to the house and she realized that it was not some prince charming that was going to sweep her away on his chariot; she could have had the back bone to stand up to him and tell him he needed to leave, but instead got scared and let him have more power over her. When Arnold implies "you come out here nice like a lady and give me your hand, and nobody else gets hurt, I mean, your nice old bald- headed daddy and your mummy and your sister in her high heels. She was tantalized by his good looks; she smiles but doesn't realize she could be getting herself into a dilemma. She wants the freedom to do what she wants, but if she is an adult then why does she lie to her mother about where she is going? Through out the book Connie never shows leadership by doing what is best, similar to when she leaves her friend stranded in the restaurant, so she could eat with Eddie. Her childish naive mind never saw this because she is caught up in the moment of being desired and enjoys the feeling of being wanted.
Common topics in this essay:
Arnold Friend,
Hair Spray,
Oats Connie,
Eddie Connie,
arnold friend,
,
scared parents,
adult world,
treated adult,
connie's mother,
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Acceptance Essays
