Notes

Vocabulary:

Lilt: According to Oxford Languages, lilt is a characteristic that describes a rising and falling of the voice when speaking.

Opaque: According to Oxford Languages, opaque is used to describe something that is not able to been seen through, or essentially not transparent.

Gawk: According to Oxford Languages, to gawk is to stare openly or stupidly. 

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1. The main character in Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been, by Joyce Carol Oates, is Connie, a fifteen year old girl. She is enthralled with her looks, obsessed with her surface level physical exterior, and spends her time thinking about boys. She wants to experience romance, in order to get away from her dreary daily family life. 

2. The setting of this story is Connie's family home, which is detailed as an 'asbestos ranch house' that was built three years ago. Connie often spends time in her backyard sitting in a lawn chair, thinking about boys and romance. The setting seems to be suburban, being that Connie & her friends go to a drive-in restaurant, and a shopping plaza where Connie spends time at with her friends.

3. This story seems to take place in the mid-1960s. I came to this conclusion through contextual clues, such as the radio being mentioned and Bobby King playing on the radio at that time, who was popular during that era. The social norms such as Arnold Friend's interactions with Connie in a controlling fashion, as well as the descriptions of the clothes that were being worn, such as tight faded jeans. 

4. Arnold Friend seems to be a complex character, who can be interpreted in many ways. Clearly he's been portrayed as aggressive, threatening, and controlling. To me, Arnold represents constant temptation while maintaining a sinful nature that attempts to influence teenagers, and in this case, Connie. He is likely the 'bad guy' that your mother told you not to spend time with, and it's for the right reason, as mothers are *always* right. He is essentially the voice in your head who tells you to do something that you know you should not do. Arnold attempts to draw Connie into his car while making sexually driven remarks and intentions, leading me to the conclusion that he is possibly a being that many teenagers experience through different means, in that teenagers are drawn to actions that would have a negative overall impact. In a time of growth and changes, such as your teenage years, you're often in a vulnerable spot, that unfortunately seems to be taken advantage of by many, being that teenagers are extremely impressionable. Arnold can represent temptations that many teenagers are faced with, as well as expediting one's adolescence into the consistently challenging adult-world. 

5. Connie complies with Arnold Friend due to manipulation, as Arnold alters her psyche by messing with Connie's fears and desires. Connie believes that Arnold is being sincere, unfortunately. Not only does Arnold implement manipulation tactics on Connie, but he also makes subtle threats towards her family such as suggesting they could be in danger. Connie seems to feel isolated and scared with Arnold in her home while they're alone. Connie could also be complying to further progress what the author was trying to portray in this story, Arnold being the 'bad guy' who influences teenagers to make poor decisions. 

6. The story does not directly say where they are going, as it leaves the reader to contemplate and interpret it on their own. Although it is noted that Arnold is taking Connie to a nice field out in the country where the sun shines, this is not necessarily meant to be taken literally. The destination is more used in a suspenseful format, to entice the reader to see Arnold as a manipulator and the thorn in Connie's side. Arnold psychologically antagonizes Connie, ultimately venturing to the field, which could symbolize Connie being significantly manipulated. 

7. This story certainly has me feeling uncomfortable. Not only did I not feel comfortable in the slightest while reading this story, but it unfortunately filled me with sorrow. While it did peak my curiosity, it was still a challenging yet interesting read, despite all of the negative assumptions I was making specifically towards the end of the story. I can relate to this story, as my teenage years were filled with grappling the issue of being manipulated. Unfortunately I was significantly manipulated in my teenage years for a bit, and can relate to that anxious and lack of control-esque feeling. I often felt that I had to comply with those around me and what they wanted me to do. I felt sorry for Connie, as many of those who are manipulated fail to stop the cycle that they've been put into, specifically those who are roped into a web of manipulation during some of the most vulnerable times in one's life, being the teenage years. 

8. The story concludes by Connie falling into what seems to be Arnold's trap. She finally went out to the field with Arnold's basking in the sun's glow. The end of this story leaves the reader to make assumptions and interpret the story, likely recognizing that this wasn't the ending the majority of readers had hoped for. Unfortunately, with this ending, it's clear that Connie has been manipulated and taken advantage of in one of her most vulnerable states. I'm satisfied with the ending somewhat, in that it gets the message across that the author was trying to convey. Whether it's the manipulation, threats, intimidation, feeling a lack of control, Arnold pulled out all the stops he possibly could in order to take advantage of Connie. The ending of the story doesn't end like a typical superhero movie, saving the town at the end of the day, but rather it ends in an unfortunate more realistic fashion with Arnold's manipulative tactics being successful, robbing Connie of her idyllic teenage years.