Summary Of The Story 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?'
The story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates shows the reader the self-created illusion that the main character Connie has created in order to better understand herself. Connie’s reality is altered as she has this dream that has manifested due to her desire for attention from others. Throughout the story there are many occurrences that support the idea that the entire story is a dream that was made up by Connie’s subconscious. Throughout the story, Arnold mentions many things that there is no way he could have known. Arnold knows what her family is doing. Arnold says “Right now they’re uh-they’re drinking”. He also talks about the woman down the street who had died. If she died, then she could not have known her.
When Arnold says, “hey, you know that old woman down the road, the one with the chickens and stuff- you know her?” Connie says, “She’s dead!” Arnold knows that Connie’s father is not coming back to get her. He says, “No, your daddy is not coming and yes, you had to wash your hair and you washed it for me.” Arnold knows that her dad is not coming back for her, and once again he could not have known this had this not have been a dream. During the story, there are also many occurrences that are a bit unrealistic. When Connie falls asleep in the middle of the story, she is listening to the radio. When she hears that car pulling up, the car radio is playing the exact same song as the one Connie was playing before she fell asleep. Connie’s mind is causing her to create a situation where she needs attention from others in order to feel secure about herself. The book states that “ Their father was away at work most of the time and when he came home he wanted supper and he read the newspaper at supper and after supper he went to bed.” This leads the reader to believe that Connie’s father may have been a little neglectful towards her. This could have led to Connie striving for attention. The entire incident could be a dream that Connie’s subconscious created in order for her to get the attention she desires.
When Arnold says, “hey, you know that old woman down the road, the one with the chickens and stuff- you know her?” Connie says, “She’s dead!” Arnold knows that Connie’s father is not coming back to get her. He says, “No, your daddy is not coming and yes, you had to wash your hair and you washed it for me.” Arnold knows that her dad is not coming back for her, and once again he could not have known this had this not have been a dream. During the story, there are also many occurrences that are a bit unrealistic. When Connie falls asleep in the middle of the story, she is listening to the radio. When she hears that car pulling up, the car radio is playing the exact same song as the one Connie was playing before she fell asleep. Connie’s mind is causing her to create a situation where she needs attention from others in order to feel secure about herself. The book states that “ Their father was away at work most of the time and when he came home he wanted supper and he read the newspaper at supper and after supper he went to bed.” This leads the reader to believe that Connie’s father may have been a little neglectful towards her. This could have led to Connie striving for attention. The entire incident could be a dream that Connie’s subconscious created in order for her to get the attention she desires.