Where Are You Going? :: Literary Analysis, Joyce Carol Oates

Joyce Carol Oatess Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? tells the tale of a fifteen year elderly girl named Connie living in the early 1960s who is stalked and at last abducted by a man who calls him ego Arnold Friend. The short stratum is based on a true event, but has been analyzed by legion(predicate) literary scholars and allegedly possesses numerous underlying themes. Two of the most popular interpretations of the story are that the entire scenario is only dreamt by Connie (Rubin, 58) and that the abductor is rightfully the vex in disguise (Easterly, 537). scarce the truth is that sometimes mountain literally can just be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Connie, a victim of terrifying circumstance will be forever changed by her interactions with Friend.Oates drew the character of Connie very well - she possesses many of the qualities that teenaged children share. According to developmental psychologists, adolescents become highly critical of siblings, and con federate relationships take precedence over familial ties during these years (Feldman, 455). These traits are homely in Connies unflattering description of her older sister June, she was so plain and chunky (209) and the fact that Connie spends many nights out with friends, but refuses to appear an afternoon picnic with her family (211). In addition, a teenagers feelings of self worth are dependent upon the approval of others. Connie displays this as she practices checking other peoples faces to make sure her own was all right (208). And of word form there is also the explosion of hormones and corresponding sexual urges and fantasies. Oates makes all of these characteristics conk in her descriptions of Connies actions, thoughts and feelings.Rubin attempts to convey the idea that Connie falls asleep in the sun and has a daydream in which her intense desire for fare sexual experience runs headlong into her innate fear (58) and aspects of the story do seem dream like - for instanc e the way in which the boys in Connies daydreams dissolved into a single face (210), but the assumption that the entire episode is a dream does not ring true. at that place are many instances in which Connie perceives the frightening truth quite distinctly she is able to identify the many separate elements of Friends ikon - that slippery friendly smile of his and the singsong way he talked (214). But because of the lack of attachment with her own family, and her limited experience in relating late to others, all of these things did not come together (214) and Connie is unable to recognize the real danger that Arnold Friend poses until it is too late.