Joyce Carol Oates is no doubt one of the greatest authors of her time it is obvious that her writings endure even today. Upon reading her biography and descriptions of her works it is inferred that Oates is a bit strange in the way she chooses to write. For example, the author explains that:

There have been changes in Oates’s writing habits in more recent years. While her first novels were all written on a typewriter, first draft through, then revisions, then final draft, the more recent novels have been written in longhand. (Westcott 3: 120)

Some may not view this as strange but if it is considered how many stories Oates has written and the length of many of these I am sure it is easily understood some viewing her as strange. No matter her form of writing though she is still essential to American literature even today. Perhaps, one of her most notable works is the short story Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?

“The material for Oates’s writing comes from everywhere [and] her characters are admittedly composites of real people” (3: 120) this statement could not be more true when you consider the origin of

Oates also touches on the subject of music a few times in her story, for example, she states “[Connie] went inside the house and turned on the radio to drown out the quiet” (Oates 151) this shows that music is very important to Connie and is considered some what of a stress reliever. In this time period music made the world seem safe and happy. The fact that Arnold’s radio was playing the same tune that her radio was and he was considered evil completely contradicts what music was supposed to be and understandably makes Connie uneasy. It is as if it is a sign that something evil is fixing to happen because they are associated in that manner. Connie states in the story “music [is] always in the background, like music at a church service; it was something to depend on” (150) to her music is associated with church and is considered to portray happiness and safety. This is why it is quite ironic that the evil being in this story is not only playing music but the exact same

The point is made that she is a very religious person so that it is easily conceived that she would be very touched by the murders in Tucson. The way Oates describes Arnold as “a boy with shaggy black hair, in a convertible jalopy painted gold” (Oates 150) initiates fear in the reader. Since Oates is very religious it is easily inferred that she associates Arnold with the devil because his hair is black which stands for evil and he is driving a old beat up jalopy which is unattractive like the devil. She also says that “he wagged a finger [at Connie] and laughed and said gonna get you baby” (150) the fact that he says he is “gonna get her” portrays the devil because at the time Arnold says this Connie is fixing to commit a sin and everyone knows who “gets you” when you commit sins. Connie is leaving the r

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