Themes Discussed in Joyce Oates Where Are You Going ,...

Where Are You Going , Where Have You Been by Joyce Oates It is well known that the most awkward and difficult time in one’s life is adolescence. One is faced with the challenges of discovering who one is and what one wants out of life. One finds themselves frustrated and confused in this particular stage. They are mid way between a bridge. They have left childhood but have not yet reached adulthood. They struggle to find some sense of being and individuality in the world. They are on a quest to find themselves, and in search of a path that will lead them to future happiness. â€Å"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been,† is a short story written by Joyce Oates .In her short story Oates shows how easily susceptible one is in this stage†¦show more content†¦The introduction of the main character Connie, â€Å"Her name was Connie,†signals that it is being told by a third person narrator. This narrative voice stays closely aligned to Connies point of vie w. The reader learns what her thoughts are, but the narrator provides no additional information or judgment of the situation. For instance, Connies harsh thoughts of her sister and mother are discussed: now (her mothers) looks were gone and that was why she was always after Connie, but it is clear that this assessment is Connies and not the narrators. The three female Characters (Connie, Her mother and her sister) are perfect examples of the effects of the drastic changes in the late 1960’s. Connie is portrayed as an average teenager. She is always wrapped up in herself and thinks she has all the answers. â€Å"She knew she was pretty and that was everything.†(p.120), â€Å"Her mother was so simple, Connie thought, that it was maybe cruel to fool her so much.†( p.124). Connie’s mother symbolizes an older era. Woman in her time were viewed as good for only two things, domestic house work and the bearing of children. It is clear that Connie mother is a li ttle envies of her. Stop gawking at yourself. Who are you? You think youre so pretty?(p.120). The society that Connie is growing up in is allowing more freedom for her then her mother had. To Connie’s mother, Connie is a consist remainder of what she has lost(her beauty) and what she could have been. This is wayShow MoreRelatedWhere Are You Going, Where Have You Been By Joyce Carol Oates And Eveline Essay1205 Words   |  5 Pages2016 In, â€Å"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been†, by Joyce Carol Oates and â€Å"Eveline†, by James Joyce, two characters prove to be completely different but share few similarities as well. In both short stories, the main characters, Connie in â€Å"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been† and Eveline in â€Å"Eveline†, are both teenage girls who face problems at home. Connie and Eveline who are both caught up in their own cultures in different times are Both girls seem like they have it all going for themRead MoreWhere Are You Going, Where Have You Been1249 Words   |  5 Pagesage has been seen as a determinate factor of maturity. And with this maturity, comes power. This belief is clearly defined in Joyce Carol Oates’ short story, â€Å"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been†. In this story, the main character, Connie, struggles to reach maturity. Wielding her sexuality in hand, Connie charges into the battle for power, leavin g her vulnerable to Arnold Friend’s temptation. Through the use of a symbolic figure, Arnold Friend, who represents the devil, Oates is able toRead MoreAdolescence Is A New Birth1106 Words   |  5 PagesThroughout the semester we have discussed adolescence in a literary sense applying it to characters and themes. In Latin, the word â€Å"adolescence† literally means â€Å"growing up†. Adolescence can be applied to literature in a sense of its broad message. According to Stanley Hall who wrote the article â€Å"Adolescence is a New Birth†, during adolescence â€Å"awareness of self and the environment greatly increases; everything is more keenly felt, and sensation is sought for its own sake.† (1844-1924) PsychologicalRead MoreEudora Welty a Worn Path12166 Words   |  49 Pageswritten permission of the publisher. For complete copyright information on these eNotes please visit: http://www.enotes.com/worn−path/copyright Table of Contents 1. A Worn Path: Introduction 2. Eudora Welty Biography 3. Summary 4. Characters 5. Themes 6. Style 7. Historical Context 8. Critical Overview 9. Essays and Criticism 10. Compare and Contrast 11. Topics for Further Study 12. Media Adaptations 13. What Do I Read Next? 14. Bibliography and Further Reading 15. Copyright Introduction EudoraRead MoreEudora Welty a Worn Path12173 Words   |  49 Pagesthe written permission of the publisher. For complete copyright information on these eNotes please visit: http://www.enotes.com/worn−path/copyright Table of Contents 1. A Worn Path: Introduction 2. Eudora Welty Biography 3. Summary 4. Characters 5. Themes 6. Style 7. Historical Context 8. Critical Overview 9. Essays and Criticism 10. Compare and Contrast 11. Topics for Further Study 12. Media Adaptations 13. What Do I Read Next? 14. Bibliography and Further Reading 15. Copyright Introduction EudoraRead MoreFundamentals of Hrm263904 Words   |  1056 Pagesmultiple study paths, to self-assessment, to a wealth of interactive visual and audio resources, WileyPLUS gives you everything you need to personalize the teaching and learning experience.  » F i n d o u t h ow t o M A K E I T YO U R S  » www.wileyplus.com ALL THE HELP, RESOURCES, AND PERSONAL SUPPORT YOU AND YOUR STUDENTS NEED! 2-Minute Tutorials and all of the resources you your students need to get started www.wileyplus.com/firstday Student support from an experienced student user