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

Number] Comparison The story “Where are you going, where have you been?” by Joyce Carol Oates, was written in the year 1966. It revolves around a girl, Connie, who is very self centred, though being only 15, she goes out with friends claiming to be going to the mall when actually going a restaurant where bad boys hang out. One evening she grabs the attention of a man who threatens to be watching over her. She takes this lightly and is astonished when one Sunday the man, Arnold, stands on her porch with his friend Ellie when her family is out on a barbeque. Arnold tells her everything about herself only which gets her in despair of what else he knows about her. He lies to Connie about his age but as Connie continues conversation with her, she finds out that he is actually much older and so is his friend. He tells Connie that he has come to take her for a ride only, but Connie refuses. Soon Arnold’s temper looses and his charismatic and charming voice becomes threatening and forceful, saying that he will harm her family otherwise. Connie is eventually compelled to leave with him and do what he likes. The story comes to an ending where Connie leaves the front porch and her fate is left mysterious. Meanwhile, the movie “Smooth Talk”, is based on Joyce Carol Oates’ book “Where are you going, where have you been?” The movie however being a little different than the book, the movie shows the same plot but the end showing that she went with him, came back into the house where Arnold’s side kick friend Ellie was waiting for them. The movie however, also keeps the fate of Connie mysterious. But later it is shown that her mother apologizes and she never speaks of the incident again. Comparing the story and the movie, the story describes the lead character, Connie’s, attitude so perfectly. While reading the story one can have a picture in their mind about how the girl may look like, but comparing the attitude of the girl in the movie, it is not up to the mark. Connie should have been a little more self-centred as described in the book. Also the book shows how the mother is always very cranky and always poking her nose in Connie’s business, should have been a little more obvious. The mother seems simply a normal mother who wants her child to do chores around the house instead of a mother who always nags about her child having so many attitudes. Also it is mentioned in the book that Connie’s dad usually stays out and is not stated frequently, but in the movie Connie’s dad is shown at various times in various places which actually ruins the idea of everything being under control when her dad is in town and at home. Also it is shown that when Connie’s dad is home, her mom does not stop talking and the situation are not quite under control. Speaking of Connie’s sister, June, the book shows that Connie’s mother is usually biased over June and is always nagging on Connie, but the movie does not show that Connie’s mother is biased over June. The book also mentions how June’s company is “plain and steady” however, seeing June’s company in the movie, does not show that it is plain and steady. Speaking of Arnold, the book gives us hints on how Arnold is actually drunk and is almost unable to control himself on certain occasions however the movie shows that he is completely fine and completely capable of handling himself. Also his side kick, Ellie, is shown as being the least bothered kind in the book and in the movie Ellie seems to be interested in the current situation. These are few pointers that probably the audience would have been expecting while watching the movie after reading the book. Even though normally movies that are based on the books leave a few things out for audience to take a broad perspective and think on the topic but here, the left out things should have been included because these are actually about the characters and a scenario description. The main thing missed out was the main protagonist’s attitude that had to be shown very clearly so that the viewers have an idea of how the character is centralized. Also during Connie and Arnold’s conversation, the change in expression was to be very vivid. Also the sexual nature of Connie is different in book and movie. In the book it shows that Connie is just a normal girl who likes to go out in summer nights whereas the movie shows that she is flirty and a tease and she does not mind going out with boys. This makes the conversation between Arnold and Connie a little less reluctant than it should have been. In the book, during Arnold and Connie’s conversation Connie is a little reluctant to speak, Arnold being a stranger means that she has to be a little reserved, and not only because of her family values but also because she is just a 15 year old girl who is home alone and there are two boys in the car and one of them knows practically everything about her. But in the movie Connie is confident enough to come right up and talk to Arnold. Also the books gives us a clear idea of how Connie stuck to her door and did not go through the front patio to talk the stranger but in the movie Connie barely has a word with Arnold and goes straight up to his car and leans on his bonnet and starts making the conversation. Even though the conversation that is printed in the book was used in the movie, because of the characters’ expressions of words and facial expressions changed the meaning of the conversation. Also Connie’s “trembling with fear” reaction was missed out and rather it was “confident enough to call the police” reaction was showed. The barbeque in which Connie’s family had gone also was shown in the movie. The book stated that her dad was a little worried about letting Connie alone whereas the movie had no sign of her dad being worried. The minor details of the movie that were missed out should have been added so that the movie could have been a bigger blockbuster. Collecting each and every minor detail has made a huge missing part in the book. But still the movie has done a fantastic job and it certainly deserved to be the film of the year in 1985. But still the movie could have made it to a higher success rate if the movie had not missed so much throughout and the characters should have been well placed. Also besides one or two, the songs could have been corresponded better. The music in the movie is given by Russ Kunkel and Bill Payne. The song “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue” by Bob Dylan should have also been included in the movie because it is said that the story was actually written because the writer was so inspired by the song. Throughout, the movie has done a good job of converting the book to a cinematic version, but it could have done better on the character and the minor details. Even though the movie came out after at least 20 years of the book, some changes can be acceptable but the others which change the whole point of the book should have not been over looked. Because after watching the movie no one wants to hear the people to be saying that the book was much better. Work Cited Oates, J.C. (1966). Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? US: Epoch Magazine Smooth Talk. (1985). Director Joyce Chopra. US: American Playhouse Read More