joyce carol oates where are you going where have you been facts, news, stories and more



'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?' is a short story by American author Joyce Carol Oates. The story was first published in 1966 in the literary magazine Epoch and later included in Oates' collection 'The Wheel of Love' in 1970.The story is a psychological thriller that centers around a 15-year-old girl named Connie and her encounter with a charismatic and dangerous man named Arnold Friend. Connie is a typical teenager who is more interested in her appearance and social life than her schoolwork and family. She is fascinated by Arnold, who is older and mysterious, and is flattered by his attention towards her.As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Arnold is not who he seems to be and that Connie is in grave danger. The story explores the themes of adolescence, gender roles, and the dangers of vanity and vanity. Oates also uses the story to critique the societal expectations of women and girls and how it can lead to their vulnerability.The story is based on the true crime story of Charles Schmid, who was convicted of murder in the mid-1960s. Oates has said that the story is not meant to be a literal retelling of the crime but rather an exploration of the psychological and societal factors that led to it.'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?' has received widespread critical acclaim and is considered one of Oates' best works. It has been included in various literary anthologies and has been the subject of numerous scholarly articles and essays. It has also been adapted into a feature film and a stage play.In conclusion, 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?' is a short story by American author Joyce Carol Oates that was first published in 1966. It is a psychological thriller that centers around a 15-year-old girl named Connie and her encounter with a dangerous and charismatic man named Arnold Friend.