Symbolism In Where Are You Going Where Have You Been
The story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been” is essentially about a young woman’s strive for independence, which eventually leads to conflict. Girls today appear as mature women and in addition, are put into adult situations sometimes unwillingly. Oates portrays a social issue that relates to this current society by using symbolism and characterization while taking the reader on a journey throughout the thoughts and feelings of a teenage girl. There are two main symbols the author uses to convey the central theme of this story, Connie and Arnold Friend. Connie is symbolic of young girls who try to rush and grow up too fast - The ones who want to be popular with the boys and gain more freedom. The girls that wear provocative clothing
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Situations like this happen every day and everywhere. Nowadays girls want to be socially cool and want to fit in so they do not take time to think about the scary outcomes that the world has to offer. Girls in the present-day want to get away from their parents, but in the end learn that they should have stayed under their protection, safe from harm. Researchers agree that “when adults don’t ask girls’ questions or encourage them to think critically…. A dangerous scenario emerges.” Females according to the article “Sex And The Single Tween” are “a marketing target. 64 percent of 12-14 year olds use lip gloss or lipstick, 84 percent wear nail polish, and 78 percent wear perfume” (Jones, Abigail ).The longing for adulthood continues. In conclusion, young women all across the country experience an overload of sexualization daily and a “new generation of girls [are] racing toward womanhood before even reaching puberty.” Today’s teenager is no longer a child but not yet an adult. “She is old enough to text, to want designer jeans, and use Instagram, but too young to have her own credit card and driver’s license” (Jones, Abigail). The teenage girl is in such a hurry to grow up often she does not realize the danger and pain adulthood can
Situations like this happen every day and everywhere. Nowadays girls want to be socially cool and want to fit in so they do not take time to think about the scary outcomes that the world has to offer. Girls in the present-day want to get away from their parents, but in the end learn that they should have stayed under their protection, safe from harm. Researchers agree that “when adults don’t ask girls’ questions or encourage them to think critically…. A dangerous scenario emerges.” Females according to the article “Sex And The Single Tween” are “a marketing target. 64 percent of 12-14 year olds use lip gloss or lipstick, 84 percent wear nail polish, and 78 percent wear perfume” (Jones, Abigail ).The longing for adulthood continues. In conclusion, young women all across the country experience an overload of sexualization daily and a “new generation of girls [are] racing toward womanhood before even reaching puberty.” Today’s teenager is no longer a child but not yet an adult. “She is old enough to text, to want designer jeans, and use Instagram, but too young to have her own credit card and driver’s license” (Jones, Abigail). The teenage girl is in such a hurry to grow up often she does not realize the danger and pain adulthood can