Short Story “Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been?”

“Where Are You Going?” is a short story. “Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates centers around the lead character Connie, who exemplifies adolescent society. There has been much debate about whether the short story has any new meaning or is just an impression of the past. Nonetheless, considering the fact that it was published over forty years ago, it also has some contemporary significance in terms of multicultural culture. Oates’ short story is set in mid-1960s Middle America, a period marked by social and moral conventions in every part of the world. Besides, the period was proceeding World War II and the materialism and optimism among the Americans was constantly being questioned. Additionally, the story appeared at a time marked of the civil rights movement, adolescent sexuality, feminism, and rock bands popularity. From the first part of the story title “Where are Going” brings some insights into the future with the last part “Where have you Been” drawing some insights into the past. The paper seeks to support that the story stills has some relevance in the modern society with reference to teenage culture and expressed ideas and themes.

Through the story Oates is able to highlight some perceptions on the teenage culture while outlining the lifestyle and their plight in the society. However, some critiques have argued that the story is merely a narration of past events with no modern relevance. In their view,

Though the story is more than forty years old from the time it was written, the expression on how the teenagers mainly through the main character Connie still shows some similarity in the manner in which teenagers think and behave. The vivid description of the lifestyle and behavior of Connie is something that effectively relates to the current state of teenagers across the globe.

Connie, the he main character displays many instances of rebellion towards her parents through the short story. Other than displaying a discourteous attitude towards her parents, Connie also repetitively lies to them on several occasions about where she goes, what she does, and who she hangs around with. This is generally similar to modern teenage culture which is also characterized with many lies of the same kind. Besides, most youths do not wish their parents to know what they do, who they hang out with, and where they go. In most instances, the modern youths tend to live a secret life for fear of being rebuked or being denied the freedom they enjoy. Similarly, Connie’s mother was simple and kind enough to believe the words of mouth from her daughter, a habit that is generally the same in the modern society. Most parents today to o be busy for their children or provide them with more freedom as well as being so kind to their youthful children. Thus the story appears accurate and a representation of today’s teenagers and there behaviors with regard to secrecy and while also continues to exhibit several types of rebellion towards their own parents including constant lies as exhibited by Connie.

Additionally, Connie, the main character appears to have no sense of the future or the past or future. This is a perception that is still relevant in the modern teenage culture with many living a present life without thinking of past or the future. For nearly the whole period of Connie’s story, she is tied in the present, just like most current youths, she values her present with no consideration of the future or past sense of the past. This show a shared common pattern from the period the story was created and the modern day perception of life and lifestyle in which the teens tend to value more of the current, ‘living like there is no tomorrow.’

Moreover, it is relieved that Connie sees her identity and self-confidence placed centrally on her physical beauty. This notion is still held by many female youths who believe their beauty is the sole center of attraction and their only weapon in the society. The story revealed that Connie and other girls are so commonly glued on their mirrors. She uses the mirror to see her current state of beauty. Interestingly, in the modern society it is hard to separate girls from mirrors and the urge to decorate and enhance their beauty. Most ladies in the modern world use the mirrors to reflect on their lives with respect to the beauty of their bodies. Besides, Connie gets criticized by her mother for persistently examining her reflection in mirrors. It is revealed that even when an unidentified car stops to give her way, her initial reaction is fixing her rather than locking the doors. The practice is relevant in the modern society since women tend to value highly their beauty through applying various hair styles and taking their hair as one of their essential component of the body that must be protected, decorated, and preserved effectively.

The vanity in Connie’s life was used to enhance the rot in the society with regard to immorality and prostitution. In the modern society, the increasing rot in morality including prostitution are enhanced by female teenager’s vanity since they gain excessive pride in their qualities, achievements, their appearance, and failure to practice moral principles. The rot in today’s society is enhanced by those people who tend to use their beauty to lure older men for purposes of living a better life or getting easy access to materialism and finances as perceived by many female youths. Similarly, it is believed that Connie’s vanity contributed to her downfall as she got involved in a life characterized by flattering and getting the attention of older men and sexual desires by virtue of her beauty. Besides, the theme of love was enhanced by the ambitious dream of Connie, a similar replication of most youth’s perception of love as an opportunity to get access to rich men. The culture of over ambitious youths and their perceived innocence founded on nave and romantic lust that predisposes youths to predators who are out to exploit the innocent females.

Additionally, the role of parents in effective bringing up of their children in the society is them that has been well expressed in the story that is also relevant to the current situation. Through the story, Oates demonstrates the profound dysfunction within Connie’s own family. Since her parents are supposed to shield her from eminent vulnerability in the society, the lack of effective parent-ship is failed as father is entirely uninterested in his daughter and wife’s sexual beliefs and views. None of the parents is mature and caring enough to constructively get involved in their daughter’s love-life to offer assistance and guidance. Besides, none bothers to ask where she has been or where she is going. This makes Connie vulnerable to outside slayers such Arnold Friend who are ready to abuse her by taking advantage of her yearning for different and dissatisfaction. This theme expressed is also relevant in the modern society as many parents fail to offer effective guidance to their children and consequently exposing children to various modern evils and immorality in the society.

In conclusion, the story seems very relevant in various ways with regard to teenage culture and various themes including role of parents in upbringing of morally responsible youths, love and ambitions for materials things, as well as vanity and prostitution or exploitation of youths by old rich slayers in the society. Thus the story has relevancy in the modern society despite it being written almost a half-decade ago.