What is the significance of the title of the story Where Are You Going Where have you been?
The allusion parallels Connie’s decision to sacrifice herself so that Arnold Friend will not harm her family. The title also points to the strained relationship between Connie and her parents, who nag her about her behavior but do not question her actions.
What is the role of identity in Where Are You Going Where have you been?
Identity in “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” acts to separate Connie from her family emotionally and then physically as Arnold Friend misrepresents his own identity to her.
Is Where Are You Going Where have you been an allegory?
“[The] story is clearly an allegory of the fatal attractions of death (or the devil),” Oates explains. “An innocent young girl is seduced by way of her own vanity; she mistakes death for erotic romance of a particularly American/trashy sort” (source).
What is the significance of the expression man the flying saucers on Arnold friend’s car?
She complains that the color of the car is so bright that it hurts her eyes, and she is puzzled by the phrase “Man the flying saucers” on the front fender, which was an expression that her peers used to use but that has fallen out of fashion.
Where Are You Going Where have you been feminist allegory?
The short story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates can be interpreted from a feminist perspective. There are many parts of the story that seem to symbolize the oppression of women. The story symbolizes the exploitation of women by men, and how women allow themselves to be controlled.
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been metaphor?
In “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been” the home represents the world of family and tradition. When Arnold Friend is threatening to collapse Connie’s home, he is threatening her childhood world.
Where Are You Going Where have you been theme analysis?
The main themes of “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” are appearance versus reality, the embodiment of evil, and self-sacrifice. Appearance vs. reality: Both Connie and Arnold have two-sided natures, presenting an appealing self when necessary and withholding another.
Where Are You Going Where have you been irony?
The dramatic irony of “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” conveys the tone of warning about temptation. Connie’s situation is that she does not feel appreciated at home and uses her looks and actions to get attention and appreciation from boys even if it is short-term.
Why is Where Are You Going Where have you been dedicated to Bob Dylan?
Oates said that she dedicated the story to Bob Dylan because she was inspired to write it after listening to his song “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue”. The story was originally named “Death and the Maiden”.