Where are you going? Where have you been?

 Expectations: What do you expect?

o from the title? from the first sentence or paragraph?
o after the first events or interactions of characters?
o as the conflict is resolved?

The title foreshadows ambiguity and doubt because it leaves open the questions of Connie's
whereabouts and where she has been. This ominous feeling is heightened in the opening
sentence, which also discusses Connie's longing for independence and her developing awareness
of her sexuality which leads her to often have issues with her mother.
The reader expects an intriguing interaction to take place between Connie and Arnold and
Arnold Friend shows up there since Arnold is a mysterious and scary guy. He is expected to be a
not so sweet and simple guy. The reader might anticipate a confrontation or some other sort of
resolution to the disagreement between Connie and Arnold which will evoke mixed feelings
about their interaction as the tension between them increases.
These assumptions are overturned by the story's enigmatic finish, which leaves the reader
wondering what happened to Connie. The reader is left to make their own interpretation of the
significance of the final scene because the conflict is left unsolved.
 What happens in the story?
o Do the characters or the situation change from the beginning to the end?
o Can you summarize the plot? Is it a recognizable kind or genre of story?
In the short story "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" by Joyce Carol Oates,
revolved around a teenage girl named Connie. She seeks independence and is quite conscious of
her sexuality which makes her proud of herself. However, it leads her to have issues with her
mother. One day, she is home alone when a man by the name of Arnold Friend shows up. Arnold
is wearing sunglasses and a wig, and seems much older than Connie, which makes her feel
nervous right away. Connie resists Arnold's attempts to convince her to go with him because she
believes he is not who he claims to be. The situation becomes more and more stressful as
Arnold's true intentions become more apparent, and it eventually reaches a frantic climax that
leaves the reader wondering what happened to Connie.
The circumstances and the individuals both undergo major shift during the narrative. Connie
starts out as a typical adolescent, worried about her looks and attempting to be independent. She
becomes more exposed and scared as the plot develops and she becomes more entangled with
Arnold. She loses her charm, confidence and carefree aura. Arnold also transforms from an
apparently endearing and charismatic stranger to a menacing and risky character.
Coming-of-age and psychological suspense genres can both be found in "Where Are You Going,
Where Have You Been?" plot. In particular, the novel examines the pressures young women
have regarding their sexuality and independence as it relates to the complexity of adolescence.
Moreover, it explains how young girls can get caught up in unforeseen issues simply because of
their physical appearance. How older men can believe them to be naïve and take advantage of
them. The story is tense and frightening, keeping the reader on edge and wondering what will
happen next.
 How is the story narrated?
o Is the narrator identified as a character?
o Is it narrated in the past or present tense?
o Is it narrated in the first, second or third person?
o Do you know what every character is thinking, or only some characters, or none?

The third-person narrative in Joyce Carol Oates's "Where Are You Going, Where Have You
Been?" does not reveal the narrator's identity as a character. The narration of the story uses the
past tense because it describes already-completed events.
The narrative is not told from the perspective of any one particular character. Instead, the
omniscient narrator gives the reader a window into the emotions and ideas of other individuals,
such as Connie and Arnold Friend. The reader may comprehend Connie's apprehension and
hesitation as well as Arnold's cunning and risky character. However, it mostly focuses on
Connie’s emotion, feelings and thoughts.
 Who are the characters?
o Who is (or are) the protagonist?
o Who is (or are) the antagonist?
o Who are the other characters? What is their role in the story?
o Do your expectations change with those of the characters, or do you know more
or less than each of the characters?
In "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" the main characters are:
Connie is a 15-year-old girl who is obsessed with her looks and her emerging sexuality.
Connie's home is visited by a mystery man named Arnold Friend, who tries to get her to leave
with him.
In this tale, Arnold Friend serves as the antagonist and Connie as the protoganist. Connie's
family members, including her mother and sister, are also characters in the novel, although they
are only mentioned in passing and have relatively minor roles. The purpose of these individuals
is to contextualise and set the stage for Connie's predicament and to draw attention to the
discrepancies between Connie's goals and those of her family.
As the plot develops, the reader's expectations and the characters' motivations shift as Arnold's
true goals become more apparent and Connie grows more concerned about her safety. There is
suspense and tension as the reader expects the impending conflict between the two characters
since they may know more about Arnold's intentions than Connie knows. The story's overall
effect is increased by the ambiguity of the finale, which leaves both the characters and the reader
unsure of the story's conclusion.
 What is the setting of the story?
o When does the story take place?
o Where does it take place?
o Does the story move from one setting to another?
o Does it move in one direction only or back and forth in time and place?

A suburban American town serves as the backdrop for Joyce Carol Oates' "Where Are You
Going, Where Have You Been?" As may be seen by references to popular culture and music, the
novel is set in the 1960s.
The majority of the action occurs in Connie's home, where she first meets Arnold Friend while
staying home alone. A few brief moments also occur outside of Connie's home, such as when she
visits the mall with a friend or when Arnold initially arrives in the parking lot.
As the narration gives glimpses of Connie's past experiences and thoughts while she is
encountering Arnold, the novel skips back and forth in time while remaining in one location. Her
thoughts focus on the past moments of her life and the present ones too.

 What do you notice about how the story is written?

o What is the style of the prose? Are the sentences and vocabulary simple or
complex?
o Are there any images, figures of speech or symbols?
o What is the tone or mood? Does the reader feel sad, amused, worried, curious?

The straightforward and vivid language used in "Where Are You Going, Where Have You
Been?" makes it easy to understand the characters' thoughts and actions. A vibrant and evocative
mood is created even with the use of simple vocabulary and descriptions.
The story's use of symbolism and imagery is one of its noteworthy features. For instance, the
song "He's a Real Gone Guy" that plays over the radio at the opening of the story can be
interpreted as a symbol for Connie's longing for freedom and independence as well as the peril
that comes with such aspirations. Similar to this, Arnold Friend's persona might be seen as a
symbol of sexual temptation, risk, and wickedness.
The narrative has a menacing and frightening tone because the reader is aware of Connie's
danger even when she is not aware. The narrative carries a mood which represents a sense of
dread and anxiety, which builds into a shocking conclusion for the reader.
 What does the story mean? Can you express its theme or themes
o Answers to these big questions may be found in many instances in your answers
to the previous questions. The story’s meaning or theme depends on all its
features.
The narrative can be seen as reflection on the challenges of adolescence, particularly for young
females who may be prey to older men's predatory behavior.
As Connie is forced to face the harsh reality of life outside of her cozy home, the story explores
the theme of the loss of innocence. She must deal with the negative consequences of developing
sexuality as well as the fallout from her rebellious and independent desires. As Arnold Friend
tries to dominate Connie, the story also addresses the issue of power dynamics and the risks of
manipulation and control.