Laura Hydrick Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Analysis Carter 6B

In Joyce Carol Oates Where are You Going Where Have You Been, literary
devices such as characterization, symbol, irony and point of view are used to reveal the
false allure and ultimate danger of independence.
Characterization plays a noteworthy role in the development of the plot. Each

Comment [O1]: I added this to develop my

thoughts better as it contributes to the theme of
this paper.
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because I feel the word significant is tired and trite

character is prominently defined by their speech, actions, and physical attributes.

Connie is a typical teenage girl, pretty and nave. Wanting so badly to be older and
unrestricted like her older sister, June, she acts older than she is, as her mother pointed

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unrestricted because free seems like a juvenile word

out that, Hair spray? You don't see your sister using that junk. There is also a tense
dynamic between her and her mother, as her mother would prefer her to be more
reliable like her sister, and also constantly nags at Connie and is very disapproving of all
that she does. This dynamic combined with the lack of attention from her father causes
Connie to be rebellious, continually tricking her simple minded mother. This makes her

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diction

feel more independent and free. Because of the way her home life is, she relies on the
attention of boys and is very concerned with her appearance and how she is perceived.

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and clarity of this statement

However, there is a significant character shift in Connie towards the end of the story
when she knows she has no choice but to go with Arnold. The shift from independently
cocky and confident to scared and defeated demonstrates quite clearly the warning
Oates was aiming to portray. She realizes that she cannot do things on her own and
independence was not after all what she wanted.
Arnold Friend, even judging by physical appearance, makes the reader feel
uncomfortable. Everything about him screams danger, from his creepy grin and

Comment [O6]: Additions to this sentence give

conformity to the argument and brings up the
unifying central theme

wagging finger to his over the top car that was painted so bright it almost hurt her eyes
to look at it.. The way he talks is peculiar. It is mentioned that he talked in a bright
monotone which is a contradiction. This type of speech even signifies the duplicity in
his character and the underlying bad intentions he has. Even when he later threatens
Connie his voice is still sickeningly sugary. The way he uses nice language in such a
sarcastic and grave way gives the reader a feeling of anxiety and discomfort.

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more sense and add a sense of uneasiness, as
Arnold gives connie that same sense
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Oates also uses symbolism to advance the plot of the story. Arnolds sunglasses
represent his secrecy and how he tries to hide his intentions for Connie. This idea of
hidden identity extends to Connie as well as she is very secretive to her mother and her
family of what she does. How she secretly goes out and hangs out with older guys and
even dresses differently when she is around her mother versus her friends. This idea of
secrecy and duality is woven throughout the story to add to the theme of false identity
and false appearance. Another symbol is Arnold himself because he symbolizes the
devil. The reference to his feet that seemed hooved and his deceiving nature match that
of Satan, because of how deceptive and truly evil he is, like Satan was in the Garden of
Eden when he tempted Eve with the forbidden fruit.
Irony plays a big role in this story because even the names of the characters are
ironic. Arnolds last name is Friend, even though this is entirely false, and his character
is very evil and enemy-like. It is also ironic how the reader can pick up on the hints of
danger and evil that Arnold emits. This is because of her immaturity and naivety. This
plays into the theme as well because it all has to do with deception and false
appearance.

Comment [O9]: Added a synonym for secrecy

Lastly, point of view is very important to the story. The reader is experiencing
things through Connies perspective. However, because it does not use I or other
pronouns found in first person, it means that the point of view is third person limited.
This also means that because the reader can only know what she experiences, it adds
to the mystery of Arnold. This ultimately adds another layer of discomfort to his
character as his identity is physically hidden by his sunglasses, and his personality is
dishonest, we also do not know what he is thinking and what his intentions are. But
because it is not first person, the narrator can give some insight into what is happening
in the surroundings. Descriptions of physical objects and settings help the reader to
better understand what is happening, because it adds a deeper understanding of how
ominous the situation is.
Overall these literary devices help contribute to the theme of false appearance
and the fake luster of independence. In the beginning of the story all Connie wants is
freedom and independence, then when she finally receives independence when she is
in trouble she realizes that it was not what she wanted, and she needs the protection of
her family, no matter how discouraging they are.