Essay on Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? by Joyce Carol Oates

Oatess Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? is the story of a girl who has realized that she desires something that is not provided for by her immediate family background. From the onset, the author is keen to merge reality with fantasy through various techniques across different levels, such as psychological, figurative, and literal dimensions. In some moments, it can be difficult to draw the line between fiction and reality as the reader is taken through the different motions taking place within the characters. The author has set Connie as the main character, and it is this attribute that allows the author to develop the narrative that relies heavily on the tension between fantasy and reality (Wegs 67). Apart from the antagonist in some areas, the author discusses other characters through the lens of the protagonist. In the end, Oatess short story is designed to navigate the readers mind through the boundary that sets fantasy and reality; and show how thin that boundary can get.

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The tension between fantasy and reality is best reflected through Connies life in thought and practice. Connie comes across as a person who is immensely enveloped in her world and does not care much for others. Throughout the book, the author can show the different motions Anna goes through and their significance to her outside world. These two spheres have been juxtaposed in an intelligent manner that enables the reader actually to follow the real events taking place in real time. In one instance, Oates writes that Connies life was organized in such a way that she dovetailed between worlds depending on the occasion. She notes that Everything about her had two sides to it, one for home and one for anywhere that was not home (Oates 423).

However, Oates is also able to go deeper into the thought process and consider the impact of having two different perspectives to life. In Connie, it is clear that she does not wish to remain her present life for much longer. Everything about her thought process is designed to make the reader aware of her intention to break away from her mothers clutches. Her fight for independence is utilized by the author to create the tension between fantasy and reality (Wegs 69). At this juncture, it is not easy for the reader to immediately decide the best path for young Connie. At one instance, the author makes the reader appreciate Connies perspective with regards to her outlook on life. However, one cannot escape the grim feeling of doom and danger that existed in Connies future. The search for independence for Connie is one that has created a dilemma in the readers mind. A large part of this tension is also created by the antagonist, Arnold Friend.

From the onset, Arnold Friend is portrayed as someone that can distort the world which Connie has created for herself. For a long time, Connie has failed to appreciate the life that she lives in with her family and instead, sought for another (Oates 424). The introduction of Arnold into her life reveals that which she had sought for in a long time. The author uses symbolism and thematic significance to indicate the unfolding of Connies wishes. Arnolds surname is also symbolic as it can be used to indicate the nature of a persons fantasies. From Connies perspective, it is clear that she viewed her wishes to be better than her present reality. She found more comfort living in her thoughts rather than being with her family members. It is best reflected by her disdain of her mother and sister as she chose to stay alone in their house as they went for a barbecue party. It is interesting that Arnold was introduced at this juncture as a person who has the promise of offering more to an otherwise dull life. However, it is also satirical that his name would be Friend as he has contributed little to warrant that he can be perceived as one (Wegs 66).

As it is with the nature of fantasies, they may appear to be good and beneficial to a persons life, but they still possess the power to be unpredictable and destructive. Arnolds true demeanor and attitude are revealed as he interacts more with Connie. In the beginning, it was difficult for Connie to reflect the true identity of the person that was Arnold Friend. As Oates noted, it was difficult for Connie to decide if she liked him or if he was just a jerk (Oates 425). It is then at this juncture that the author uses her words to reveal the true hidden nature that best described Arnold Friend. In the first place, the author makes sure that Arnold is not perceived to be a friend to Connie. She becomes a predator intent on devouring her prey. The language that he uses may seem to be charming and friendly is quickly turned into a scary and dangerous voice. It is something that causes a change in the readers attitude, and it is a testament to Oatess ability to use symbolism as a way of crossing the divide between fantasy and reality (Wegs 71).

The use of symbolism is also expressed through Arnolds car which shows that hidden beyond the bravado of Arnold is an extremity that needs to be curtailed. From the beginning, Connie is not completely sure of what to make of him, but it seems that the car was the start point of this change (Oates 429). Arnold appeared to make the car his focal point and tactic of wooing Connie, but this tactic seemed to fail every time he used it. Connie was distracted by its color, by the phrases that were printed all over it and the person who was in it at the moment. On one side, Connie has to deal with Arnolds insistence that his car will transport her to a new and better life. On the other hand, she has to deal with her fears and the realization that Arnold has a dark and ominous personality. At this moment, Connie realizes that her fantasy world is not the reality of life that she expected. She quickly comes to terms when she hears him say, The place where you came from aint there anymore (Oates 430).

Throughout the story, Oates portrays Connies life in her fantasies as well as it happens in the real world. It is a tension in which it is not exactly clear as to the best action would be for her. Even as the short story comes to an end, it is not clear as to whether Connies final choice is the best one or not. There is a sense in which the future seems to be filled with fear and a hint of hope as well. Whether Connies choice was the best thing for her is left for the readers to decide for themselves. Again, the author has used her skill to cross over between fantasy and reality.

Works Cited

Wegs, Joyce M. "Don't You Know Who I Am?": The Grotesque in Oates's" Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" The Journal of Narrative Technique 5.1 (1975): 66-72.

Oates, Joyce Carol, and Tobias Wolff. Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? Difusion, Centro de Investigacion y Pubicaciones de Idiomas, 2013.