Character Analysis Of Joyce Carol Oates Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?

Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? In Joyce Carol Oates short story, Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? the reader is immediately introduced to the main character, Connie; a young girl who obsesses over herself and puts little value on her family or loved ones. Throughout the story readers are also introduced to a man named Arnold Friend. Oates uses this character to reveal to readers the true psychological flaws of Connie that are most likely a result of the lack of a male figure in her life. Readers are also introduced to a man by the name of Arnold Friend. The story displays Arnold friend as a “stalker,” because prior to developing a friendship with Connie, he already knows too much about her personal life.

Oates makes it very clear that Connie is very concerned about her looks and associates all hope and happiness with the way she looks and the attention she will receive because of what she wears and how she acts. Within the first sentence of the short story, Oates introduces readers to Connie by saying, “Her name was Connie. She was fifteen and she had a 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” (Oates). This quote displays Connie 's longing for self perfection. Readers can infer that because Connie is constantly being put down by her family, she feels that she needs to look elsewhere for attention, and resorts to perfection as a way to get attention from other people, particularly older boys. Connies underdeveloped psyche also plays a role in this. A major reason for Connie 's promiscuous actions is her distant relationship with her

Throughout the story, Arnold Friend is portrayed by Oates as a creepy, provocative stalker. When Friend is first brought to the attention of the reader, it is when Connie is out with friends. As she walks by Friend’s car, he “wags a finger” and says “Gonna get you, baby.” This also displays how underdeveloped Connie 's psyche is. This first notion sent by Arnold Friend should have startled Connie, but she payed no attention to it, she was too concerned with the moment of attention she was receiving from Eddie and all the people around her. Arnold Friend comes to Connie 's home, knowing she was alone and attempts to persuade her to get into his car to go for a ride. This is the first time Connie has ever talked to Arnold Friend, but he already knows everything about her. He knows where she lives, where her parents are, who her friends are, and what her interest are. Connie questions how he knows all of her personal information and he replies with “I know your name and all about you, lots of things. I took a special interest in you, such a pretty young girl, and found out all about you” (Oates). This quote is a clear indication that Arnold Friend is a threatening, menacing stalker. All of these scenarios show Arnold friends underdeveloped psyche. He is somewhere around thirty years old, and does not know what is right and what is wrong. From Oates description of Arnold Friend and his