Joyce Carol Oates-Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?

Joyce Carol Oates was inspired to write "Where are you, where did you go?" after reading the story in Life magazine of the charismatic young man, but insecurity that had seduced and then killed several girls in Tucson, Arizona, during 1960's. Transformed into fiction, this story was first published by literary magazine Time in 1966 and was inducted in 1970 Oates short story collection wheel of love. Critical acclaim was so fast and safe as early as 1972, critic Walter Sullivan said it was "one of most widely reprinted stories and justice." Along with frequent appearance of history in textbooks and anthologies, Oates has been reissued in 1974 as title story of "Where are you, where did you go? This collection subtitle points to current interests of Oates in adolescence, especially psychological and social crisis that arises in this difficult period. His concern for these issues, along with his keen sense of special pressures faced by adolescents in contemporary society, is evident in “Where are you, where did you go?”

In Joyce Carol Oates "Where are you, where you went" there is the clear interpretation of evil in Arnold Friend and how he as the devil trying to pull Connie into dark world of sex and emotion. Oates seems to extract real-life scenarios and add to its history. Character of Arnold Friend is about what's really out there. Harsh reality is that Oates includes in his story is that there are demons as Arnold. Many people have interpreted character of friend as Pied Piper of Tucson was the serial murderer who killed teenagers. (Hurley 372). By incorporating more life, as realities in story, Oates can build wickedness of friends in an almost believable.

The main reason that the reader removes this evil symbol of the reading of the story is that Arnold's character has a striking resemblance to Satan. In the drive-in, Connie Arnold warns of his coming, when you move your finger and says "I'm going to get, baby" (Oates 581). Most of the story is Arnold Connie tempting to leave the safe haven that is their home and go for a walk with him in his car. The symbolism of evil is most apparent in the following quote: "There are no plans to enter the house where I belong, but only to come to me, the way you should you do not know. Who am I?" (Oates 589).

There are many clues in story that hint that Arnold Friend is no friend at all, but is actually the demon come to Connie away. When we first meet Arnold Friend, it is obvious that Connie has an uneasy feeling about him and feel violated by his presence. For example, right away Arnold begins to wonder if Connie "(She) Wanstead come for the ride." (Oates, 1012) Arnold seems to be pressuring Connie from beginning and it is clear that is not only to take the walk. "Walk" which speaks of Arnold might even have the ...