The book (that’s written by Joyce Carol Oates in mid-2000 and republished in 2005) kicks off by introducing the main characters Betty and Teena Mcguire. Teena was a vibrant woman in her early 30’s until a horrible incident struck her that would affect not only her family but the entire community. After being brutally raped by a gang of criminal teenagers who were high on drugs her daughter Betty was left with huge responsibilities, from taking care of her wounded mother to struggling for justice
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Vee K English 102 October 17, 2014 A parent’s method of raising and teaching their children will shape how they will think and react to certain situations when entering adulthood. In “Where are you Going, Where Have you been?” Joyce Carol Oates carefully and ironically chooses the title in itself, along with other details in the story to show us how Connie’s parent’s lack of involvement and favoritism towards her sister, was a direct cause as to why she was so unprepared to handle what takes
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Joyce Carol Oates’s short story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” alludes to the mythical tale of Hades and Persephone throughout the story. The two stories express the relationship of life and death. The love and desire are emotions that are connected with life and death. The dark and wickedness invades the mind and thoughts of a person, and he or she cannot control that desire. The lust and desire for another person leads to drastic measures. Death is a natural way of life. Everyone
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In the short story, “Where Are You Going, Where have you been?” depicts a young woman Connie, who is trying to find her personal identity. Family struggles lead to Connie’s demise, as her mother and father neglected her in different fashions. As the story progresses, her youthfulness gets the most of her and leads to unfortunate events. Disgruntled Connie, endures the real world relatively quick, and soon finds out she isn’t ready to face it alone. Connie’s mother belittled her in bizarre variations
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been told about the forces of good and evil. Some say the devil is the personification of evil, the enemy of God and humankind, and the evil force that never seems to prevail. In a biblical interpretation of Joyce Carol Oates’ “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” one can see how Oates portrays one character, Arnold Friend, as the devil. The story is about a 15-year old girl, Connie, caught up in the insecurities and fantasies of puberty. After Connie sneaks to the movies with her friends one
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After completing the book, We Were The Mulvaneys, by Joyce Carol Oates, most of the questions I had about the book as a whole, were answered. However, I was left with a few unanswered questions in my mind. I also believe our TAI fits better with the second half of this book. There are more times in the book, where the places they live or don't live influence their lives. Before reading this half of the book, I was very uncertain about how it would fit in with the first half; but after reading
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In Joyce Carol Oates story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been” a young woman is influenced by two strangers to leave her home and go with them. Though this appears to be a dangerous situation, there is evidence to support that Connie has fallen asleep. Connie’s mother says, “Her mind [is] filled with trashy dreams. (Oates 201).” Connie is having an “exotic” or “trashy” dream about being saved by an older man from her home life. Connie and her attacker have an unsettling connection, she is
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The Effects of Distress in the Mind In “Where Are You Going Where Have You Been” by Joyce Carol Oates, Arnold Friend is a manifestation of Connie’s subconscious. Illustrated within the passage Connie, who is under emotional distress, seeks salvation from her family life. Neglection and abandonment from the family, subconsciously induced depressed and rebellious impulses within Connie. Arnold Friend is a figment of her imagination whose persona helps combat her depression with fear, this makes her
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Fantasy Versus Reality Fiction Analysis Oates Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?: Truth Blinded by Fantasy It's not uncommon to catch ourselves snapping out of a daydream only to realize how extent our Imagination was. Not only do we fantasize what isn't possible, but also what we want to believe disregarding how close it is to reality. Joyce Carol Oates, the author of a short story, "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" uses Connie's character to successfully
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COMPARE- and- CONTRAST Connie from “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” is odd from the people around her. She is the beautiful and pretty one in her family and she believes that she is atop her mother and her sister because of her beauty. In the book, she is so overflowing with some awkward teenage habits that are commonly seen in teenage girls and she does this when she is around her friends and boys. These habits involve nervous giggling and always constantly looking in the mirror. She
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