Literary Critics on Where Are You Going Where Have You Been

Question:-

Literary critics have offered competing explanations of the significance of Connie’s ultimately getting into Arnold’s car at the end of Joyce Carol Oates’ “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”

Answer:-

The story “Where are you going, where have you been?” starts with quite generic scenario where Connie, a fifteen year old girl, gradually moves towards adulthood while making her way around the challenges thrown at her by her mother (Oates & Wolff, 2013). Her mother thinks Connie suffers from too much gawking, hair spray, and excess. In fact, it cannot be considered excessive and like all other teenagers, absence of her surname seems to be underscoring this typicality. However, the simple depiction converts into twist and complexity, which comes after the second entry of Arnold Friend. Influenced by him, Connie enters in the nightmarish situation of characteristic mid-century America. Settings, tone and symbol, and conflict depicted in the story point out the challenges a woman faced in making decisions for herself and led her to a failure in choosing the life she expected of herself.

The story is set in the suburban America during 1960s when sexual revolution was on the rise. And this can be considered as one of the motivating factor for Connie to revolt against what was in the tradition and make effort to choose something different. Connie can be considered to be a rebel, like all teenagers, who tried to choose a different path, which somehow not ended quite well. The patriarchal society of 1960s expected women to act within a confined premise and not tread otherwise. And it can be considered that somewhere it was in the subconscious of Connie, and that’s why she ended up following through the instructions of Arnold Friend. Though it can also be considered as a sacrifice she chose to make for her family, but there could be other way out of the situation instead of succumbing to the Arnold’s pressure. Possibly, if the same would happen today, then a woman may take recourse to other possibilities rather than simply moving on with Arnold.

Tone of the story gradually moves from simple and journalistic to surreal and unsettling. Initially, the story was nothing more than what can often be found in most homes – a rebel kid trying her way out to get something which her parents do not approve. But, it ends up not very well for the girl after the second entry of the antagonist. Car, actions of Ellie, behavior of Arnold, invasion into home, and surrender of Connie symbolizes the patriarchal society, where men always have the upper hand over women and can go a long distance to get what they want. Subjugation of women was typical of the society in which the story is set, and the same has been clearly displayed in the story.

Conflict can be seen the characterization of Connie. Initially she seemed like someone who does not care for her family and entirely sings for herself. However, later when Arnold makes attempt to victimize her and threatens to create problem for her parents and sister, an opposing character of Connie can be seen – someone who deeply cares for her family. Furthermore, conflict in decision making was shown within Connie as well. When Arnold attempts to persuade her to go with him, she had the choice to either fight, not give in, and let the problem make an appearance for her family, or to agree with Arnold. In this conflicting situation, Connie chose to sacrifice herself for her family.

In conclusion, it can be said that Connie’s actions has a broader significance or meaning of the story. The setting of the story closely integrates with what the author has tried to depict. The patriarchal society somehow won, despite all attempts of Connie to go against the tide. In a way, the story showed what every women must have felt and faced during that period. A situation of subjugation and subordination of women where they succumb to all kinds of threats and requests from men, willingly or unwillingly. The psychological impact of the situation was such that women could not think of alternative solutions or make attempt to revolt. Most would consider it the way of life and if someone decide to take possible alternative routes, then the outcome would not be satisfying. The sexual revolution of 1960s can be considered as an attempt get through this challenge women faced, but the outcome was not up to the mark with various health and societal problems emerging from it. Sexual relationships left emotional scars, psychological stress, anxiety, suicidal tendencies, breakdown of families, and divorces. The story, however, can be considered to be a significant contribution towards bring the issue of patriarchal society to the surface.