Oates' Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?

This story made me cringe inside. From the creepy-old-man nature of Arnold Friend, to her poor decision in the end, I felt uncomfortable reading the whole piece. However, I do have to give Oates some credit for being able to show this bizarre scene in such a vivid way. This story, like the previous story blogged about, revealed a lot about the mind of certain types of girls. Oates says that Connie dressed differently in and out of the house and her personality shifted as well. Connie created an adult alter-ego, if you will, to go to parties and grab attention from boys. As pathetic as this sounds, Connie needed to be told she was beautiful for her self esteem and this gave her that outlet. At home, she wasn't the favorite child. But out of the house, she was desired by everyone. 

I also want to take time analyzing the title and its significance in the story.  The question where are you going, where have you been sounds like the kind of question Connie might have gotten from her parents when coming home from her mysterious parties late at night. It also sounds like Connie's dilemma with Arnold, when he asks her to drive off with him and forget about his family. He says to her "The place where you came from ain't there anymore, and where you had in mind to go is cancelled out." I interpreted this line as both a threat and a reason for her to come with him. 

The last concept I want to briefly touch on is the blurred differentiation in the story between fantasy and reality. Oates keeps switching from a calm and collected description of Arnold, to a frantic and fake one. Connie has trouble telling these two versions apart. In addition, when Connie tries to call the police, she feels as though she is being stabbed when really she just gets flustered and afraid. Meanwhile, she's been in the sun all day and the heat could be blurring her vision and her perception of reality. 

The song Hide and Seek by Imogen Heap sort of reminded me of the story. I happen to love this song and its melody is beautiful, but the lyrics (my interpretation of them) sort of mimic the plot line. This is a link to the song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYIAfiVGluk. I couldn't really think of anything eerily similar to the mood but this will have to do. 

-s.sacks