Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Music Analysis

Charles Schmid, the serial killer that Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? was based on, would try to look like Elvis Presley to lure girls to him. Music is a motif that shows up in the story multiple times. Joyce Carol Oates uses music to show Connie’s comfort, emotion, and the bait that lured Connie to Arnold. First of all, Oates uses it to show when Connie feels comfortable. For example, “... the music was always in the background, like music at a church service, it was something to depend on.” She is constantly surrounded by it, and that makes her feel satisfied. When someone are used to being around something, or hearing something, they can’t imagine their life without it. Another quote is,“She went inside the house and turned on the radio to drown out the quiet.” When everyone else went to the barbeque and Connie was left alone, she was uncomfortable that the whole house was quiet. Because she loves music, she decided to turn on the radio and eliminated the peacefulness.
Next, she uses it to express emotion.
“... her face gleaming with a joy that had nothing to do with Eddie or even this place; it might have been the music.” Connie was so excited and happy to be leaving with this guy, and the music accentuated that feeling. She emotionally connects with it. Another quote that illustrates this is: “And Connie paid close attention herself, bathed in a glow of slow-pulsed joy that seemed to rise mysteriously out of the music itself…” She not only emotionally relates, but spiritually as well. In this example, she is able to be relaxed when listening to music. An additional quote to prove this point is “...their thin shoulders rigid with excitement, and listened to the music that made everything so good.” Connie and her friends are addicted to listening to music, it’s almost like a drug to them. When they listen to music, they feel
joyful. Finally, Joyce uses music to show how Arnold lured Connie to him. “... and now Connie began to hear the music. It was the same program that was playing inside the house.” Arnold has been watching her, so he knows who she is, and what kind of music that she loves. He takes advantage of that by playing the same radio station. “ ‘Bobby King?’ she said. ‘I listen to him all the time. I think he’s great.’ ‘He’s kind of great.’ Connie said reluctantly. ‘Listen the guy’s great. He knows where the action is.’” He knows that she loves Bobby King, and he uses that as bait like a worm on a hook. A predator likes to play on people’s emotions, so he then starts flirting with her. Music is something that appears on numerous occasions. The author puts it in to show contentment, mental state, and how Arnold is able to attract Connie to him. Everyone listens to music, and it means something different for each individual. It might mean relaxation, expressing their feelings, or like Connie, to have comfort.