"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" By: Joyce Carol Oates

Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? by Joyce Carol Oates for Bob Dylan was creepy. Oates builds suspense with very vivid details. Connie, the main character, is a somewhat rebellious teenager who doesn't get a long with her mom and spends a lot of time with her friends. She goes shopping and to movies like other teenage girls and she seems confused by her teenage years. Connie is very happy with the way she looks and thinks that she is very attractive to guys. Toward middle of the story two men are introduced, Arnold and Ellie. They appear at Connie's home and demand that she get into their car. Arnold and his friend Ellie are very scary and gave me the chills when I read how they approached Connie at her home. It was really scary when they described in detail where her family was and the fact that Connie knew they were much older men. She was frightened and so was I when I read it. The end left me a bit confused. I assumed that Arnold and Ellie forced her to go with them as she describes the future, "... so much land that Connie had never seen before and did not recognize except to know that she was going to it." She is walking in to an unknown situation that will probably harm her. I did not like this short story because it was frightening but, on the other hand, Oates creates a compelling story that draws you into the story.

Image that Captures the Mood of the Story:  This picture captures the mood of Connie's isolation and confrontation with Arnold and Ellie.

Link for Picture: https://www.pinterest.com/robyn81657/plantation-ruins/