Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been by Joyce Carol Oates - Research Paper Example

June 5, Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been by Joyce Carol Oates The short story “Where Are You Going, WhereHave You Been” by Joyce Carol Oates is replete with literary elements that could be evaluated in greater depth and detail. One would hereby present a more intensive analysis of the characters in the story, as well as an assessment of their exhibited behavior. Likewise, one would also present the connection between Arnold Friend and Bob Dylan, as well as the social revolution that is being exemplified through the characters and events that evolved. The character of Connie is very dynamic and carefully crafted. Actually, her character epitomizes the typical teenager of contemporary times: curious, fun-loving, exhibiting tendencies to be narcissistic. One could actually examine the reasons for Connie’s character and traits to exude from the fact that, at fifteen years old, and having a sister who was 24 years of age, she could actually be looking for a source of attention and affection which she could not get from her parents or her older sister. As disclosed, June, her sister, is always admired and preferred by her mother, as compared to her. Likewise, Connie’s father was also revealed to be distant and indifferent. He was noted to be “away at work most of the time and when he came home he wanted supper and he read the newspaper at supper and after supper he went to bed. He didn't bother talking much to them” (Oates 1). Concurrently, Connie’s mother could be manifesting some inner jealousy for Connie who was noted to share similar physical traits and characteristics with her when she was younger. This was clearly asserted as follows: “her mother had been pretty once too, if you could believe those old snapshots in the album, but now her looks were gone and that was why she was always after Connie” (Oates 1). As such, from the indifference and scorn apparently exhibited by Connie’s family to her, she had resorted to the company of her peers for affection and to be duly appreciated. Another interesting character was Arnold Friend. Connie has a fleeting encounter with Arnold as she was riding in a car with Eddie. At that short instance, it was revealed that Arnold had been smitten by her beauty. This also provided the impetus for Arnold to search for her, research on her family and friends, and plan to visit her at an opportune time when Connie was left alone at her home. Through the events that transpired when Arnold visited Connie, it could be deduced that Arnold was the perfect antagonist. He played the part of a villain for luring Connie into a seemingly blind submission to his sexual overtures. He capitalized on Connie’s youth and immaturity to invite her out of her reclusive domicile which initially served as her safe haven. According to Mitchell and Urbanski, “Friend's mesmeric influence on Connie further supports my contention that he represents a superhuman force. ?Don't you know who I am? ... he asks in an eery fashion, as if she had encountered him before, as one does evil” (2). Likewise, another character, Arnold’s friend, Ellie, a minor character, who could be oblivious to what was happening and what seemed to have transpired between Arnold and Connie. He could embody society in general by assuming a spectator or observer’s stance and standing at the background by not doing anything to avert an untoward incident or a misconduct. Aside from the characters, another literary element worth examining in the short story is the theme. As revealed, there are apparently four dominant themes in the story, to wit: (1) the victimization of women; (2) youth and romantic fantasy; (3) the application of manipulative psychology; and finally (3) the story being considered an allegory (Notearama). From the decision of Connie to be submissive to Arnold in the end, it could be surmised that the author apparently emphasized that women, especially teen-aged girls like Connie, are easily victimized. Arnold Friend could symbolize the evils of society and openly lured Connie into submitting to his selfish desires. The weakness of women were embodied in Connie’s character as she manifested being naive. Although she might have exerted initial efforts to ward of Arnold, it was unfortunate that in the end, she succumbed to forces, which were apparently stronger than her physical strength and will. The theme of youth and romantic fantasy were clearly exemplified through the fun and thrills that Connie and her friends indulged in. As emphasized by David, “just like any teenager she sneaks around, going to a drive-in restaurant to meet boys rather than to the movies like she told her family” (par. 4). Thus, the secrets and escapades with friends and boys were deemed part of this stage of development as an adolescent. Her being approached and followed by Arnold could have been an appealing instance that could have been interpreted by Connie as a form of intentional pursuit out of romantic admiration. The application of manipulative psychology was explained by Holmen when she asserted that “Connie’s problems with her family, social life, and the people who, however unwillingly on her part, come to control her future are examples of some of psychoanalytic theory’s most prevalent ones” (1). Due to manifestations of these problems, Arnold had all the more the chance to use manipulation to lure her into submission. As emphasized, “a true crime serial killer named Charles Schmid, the Pied Piper of Tucson served as the inspiration for Oates's tale. She makes Arnold Friend into a smooth talking, play acting, and ultimately menacing suitor. When interpreted from this angle, the story becomes a cautionary lesson: "don't let this happen to you!"” (Notearama par. 4). Finally, the story being a depiction of allegory was exhibited through the layers of meaning that has been evident. It was revealed that “an allegory is a narrative with at least two layers of meaning: the literal and the symbolic. The story, when read as allegory, becomes a kind of coming of age dreamscape where evil (or death) arrives to corrupts what is innocence. Death escorts the woman away from her childhood self. You might interpret this death literally or symbolically” (Notearama par. 5). Finally, music plays an important role in the story as it symbolized the kind of activities or form of entertainment that is preferred and common to teen-agers, like Connie. The author was actually noted to have been inspired by Bob Dylan’s song entitled "It’s All Over Now Baby Blue" (Holmen; David). Arnold Friend and Bob Dylan could have shared similarities in terms of his acknowledgement of being familiar with Dylan’s song through the use of lines in his conversation with Connie; such as: “Friend refers to himself as Connie's lover, which is similiar to the line "Your lover who just walked out the door"” (David: Music par. 5) and “at the end of the story, Friend refers to Connie's blue eyes, a reference to the "baby blue" of the story. Oates, however, indicates that Connie's eyes are really brown” (David: Music par. 7). In addition, a form of social revolution is manifested through the behavior of Arnold and Connie; who, in the end, both decided to defy social norms and traditions to adhere to values and beliefs in chastity and abstinence. In sum, the Oates’ short story continues to intrigue readers and literary analysts who continue to scrutinize her work to present diverse reactions and points of views. It is therefore a work that entices readers to reflect on these various literary elements to have a more in-depth understanding of what the author originally intended to relay. Works Cited David, L.C. "Short Story Analysis "Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been?"." 2013. HubPages. http://lcdwriter.hubpages.com/hub/Where-Are-You-Going-Where-Have-You-Been-Short-Story-Analysis. 9 December 2013. Holmen, Nicole. "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue: Psychoanalyzing Connie in Joyce Carol Oates's "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?"." 2010. studentpulse.com. http://www.studentpulse.com/articles/181/its-all-over-now-baby-blue-psychoanalyzing-connie-in-joyce-carol-oatess-where-are-you-going-where-have-you-been. 10 December 2013. Mitchell, Marie and Olesen Urbanski. "Existential Allegory: Joyce Carol Oates 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?'." 2007. csun.edu. http://www.csun.edu/loverman/355/urbanski.pdf. 18 November 2013. Notearama. "Commentary on "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?"." 19 October 2010. notearama.blogspot.com. http://notearama.blogspot.com/2010/10/commentary-on-where-are-you-going-where.html. 9 December 2013. Oates, Joyce Carol. "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been." 1966. d.umn.edu. http://www.d.umn.edu/~csigler/PDF%20files/oates_going.pdf. 18 November 2013. Read More