Initiation stories are stories in which a character, usually the main character, undergoes a transformation from childhood to adulthood. Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been is an example of an initiation story. The main character, Connie, lives in a tunnel vision teenage world. When she is suddenly faced with a deadly situation with Arnold Friend, a deranged murderer, she has an immediate realization of the real world. In Connie's case, if you have no personal identity, you cannot survive.
In an "initiation- story, a character, such as Connie, is usually portrayed as a child early on in the story. While Connie is not an actual small child, but instead a fifteen year old teenager, her actions direct the reader to seeing a childish side of her. "Everything about her had two sides to it, one for home and one for anywhere that was not home."" (pg. 1089) As with many teenagers, this is a common trait of Connie also, but it is one makes her seem immature. Connie is a typical teenager who is engulfed entirely in her own world of superficial things. She is described as having a "quick nervous giggling habit of craning her neck to glance into mirrors, or checking other people's faces to make sure her own was all right."" (pg. 1089) This directly shows that she has no true self identity, therefore, making the reader feel that Connie is very childish. Connie's close-mindedness is shown when the narrator says Connie, "knew she was pretty and that was everything."" (pg. 1089) In Connie's eyes, that is all that matters to her. A world of fun, friends, and physical features is all that revolves around her. The reader of this initiation story however, may realize that there is more to life than those superficial things. Connie does not yet realize this and therefore is seen as a child. It is a crucial part of this story that the reader feels the character, Connie, is immature in many ways in order for them to see the initiation later on.
Connie's sister goes out with her friends so would Connie. ... Connie left her friend at the restaurant to go with him. ... " Connie hurried away from Eddie without him even knowing. ... Connie asked Arnold "How old are you?... Connie told Arnold "I think you should leave....
Both Eveline from "Eveline" and Connie from"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" ... Connie also experiences the same psychological strain from her mother. ... The constant verbal abuse from Connie's mother brought on feelings of uselessness. ... Connie is a sexual object being held in bondage. ... However Eveline and Connie are both slaves to society. ...
Connie is also wearing a jingling bracelet, which is not only again reflecting light, which in turn represents innocence about Connie but signifies adolescence. ... As the story progresses, Arnold unrelentingly demands Connie to come with him for a ride in his car, but Connie feels pressured and threatened by Arnold. ... Connie uses music to induce her daydreaming. ... Her mother warned Connie about being so self-centered. Connie is mutually innocent and self-centered. ...
a teenage girl, Connie, is filled with many mixed feelings. ... Connie and her mother argue throughout the story. Connie's mother would act as if she liked her sister better. ... Pressure gets even thicker when Connie meets Arnold Friend. ... With these qualities Connie tried not to get attached. ...
Connie, the main character of the story Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?... Connie had deep brown eyes that reflected nicely off of her blond hair. ... Joyce Carol Oates overall described Connie as a pretty, young girl. ... Connie was not different. ... Connie had the traits commonly found in a fifteen year old girl. ...
Connie often lies about where she is going, and what she has done, and this lying puts Connie's character in danger. ... Oates uses symbolism through Arnold, Connie, and music. ... He is more of a conscience to Connie. ... Although the story is mainly about Connie, Connie herself symbolizes many teenage girls in that time period. ... What Connie comes to realize when Arnold comes to her house, is that drinking and drugs not only hurts Connie, it affects her whole family. ...
The story evolves around a teenage girl named Connie. ... The book portrays Connie as a much more believable character. Connie is about as rebellious as a teenager comes. ... Connie wishes her mother would just die, because she attacks Connie's character so much. ... Connie can be classified as a tease towards young men. ...
in a sense that the Connie has yet to deveop your own personality. ... This allows the readers to hear and see what Connie is feeling. ... We see each character as Connie sees them and get her understanding. ... As Connie is confronted with Arnold Friend she undergoes a change. ... Connie had to learn through a hard struggle. ...
Connie lives with her parents and nine-year-older sister; but it is an unhappy home. ... Connie's mother frequently compares Connie to her sister, who not only does chores, but also earns money to help the family. Her mother is jealous of Connie's youthful beauty, and the envy consumes her. ... Two sided personality of Connie is the result of two reasons which are beauty isolation where Connie's beauty is isolated by the jealousy of the mother, and wanting attentions of Connie which makes her act more attractive outside the house in order to get attention from the opposite gen...
