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 school Connie attends. Connie resents her family for their lack of thought towards her and her goals. She hopes one day that her dream boy will come on his valiant horse take her away and they will get married.
             Arnold, on the other hand is witty, manipulative, and evil. He is old and uses make-up to cover up his age of about 30 or 40 years. He is smart enough to know that the pop culture and language that the kids' use can make him look and act younger than his real age. It's not until Connie sees him up close that she sees how old he really is. He met Connie at a drive-in restaurant where the older kids hang out. Oates says, "He wagged a finger and laughed and said, "Gonna get you, baby," and Connie turned away..."(656). He then finds out where she lives and that her family is gone to a barbecue. He knows she will be home alone.
             Connie had gotten up the morning of the barbecue and washed her hair so it could dry all day long in the sun, she had no intention of going. So her parents and sister went on to the barbecue at an aunts' house. Before her mother had left she stated, "...