Character Analysis Of Connie In 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?'

Destination
An ordinary girl trapped by the critical decisions she has made, Connie has sent herself on a journey of misfortune and sorrow. In “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” Joyce Carol Oates gives an insight on real troubles faced in a teenage girl’s life. Connie represents many individuals suffering these unfortunate events. She is a self-doubting, insecure, fifteen year old, on the road to destruction. Her cliché acts such as the “quick, nervous giggling habit of craning her neck to glance into mirrors or checking other people’s faces to make sure her own was all right” show that she is not as socially mature as she hopes to appear (199). Connie’s mother disapproves of the way she acts, “Stop gawking at yourself. Who are you? You think you’re so pretty?” is just one common phrase from Connie’s mother showing how critical she is of her behavior (199-200). From Connie’s point of view, she is constantly criticized by her family; however, she blames the criticism on their “jealousy” of her looks. She uses her appearance as a front to keep people from seeing the truth; that Connie is really just a young, confused girl, searching for her identity in all the wrong places. The most important person to know is oneself, yet Connie lacks just that. She knows and understands everyone around her better than herself and that is what causes

When the character Arnold Friend appears at her doorstep, beckoning her to take a ride, Connie at first appears calm and collected. She goes on in her flirtatious ways until things get to a place where she is no longer in control of the situation. The so-called sexual maturity she thought she had is no longer present. She is now a frightened little girl wishing she had her mother back. Throughout the beginning of this story, Oates makes it evident that Connie has a childish hatred for her family, in particular, her