Oates, Joyce, Carol, “Where are you Going, Where have you Been?” RESPONSE
After reading Joyce Carol Oates’, “Where are you Going Where have you Been?” answer the following:
What is Connie’s home life like? How do you know? (quote from the text) Try to describe Connie’s life in one sentence (after providing some evidence).
Oates uses the repeated image of dream/sleep: First locate some images that are sleep or dreamlike. Then, think about what she (Oates) may be trying to convey with these images. Music becomes a central symbol in the story. What does it represent?
Certainly, religion and tradition are not the primary influences for Connie as they are for Eveline…so, what is Connie’s primary influence? How does it affect her decision-making process? Ultimately, you’ll need to determine… Why does Connie leave with Friend?
What inferences can you make about the title?
Based upon the primary distinction between Connie and Eveline, i.e., Eveline stays and Connie leaves, what is the major parallel that links the two protagonists and themes? Your answers may vary, but each must be substantiated by a close reading of both texts.
All responses should reflect textual evidence, but should not exceed 250 words. You may choose to bullet your response or use paragraph form.
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This is what my prof gave the students.
Link for reading : https://www.d.umn.edu/~csigler/PDF%20files/oates_going.pdf