"The interpretation of "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" that makes the most sense to me is Larry Rubin's. He argues Connie is dreaming about the Arnold Friend situation, "Connie has fallen asleep in the sun and has a dream about a composite figure that symbolizes her fear of the adult world" (161). In Rubin's argument he points out three factors to prove his line of reasoning. Firstly Arnold and Connie's music playing at the same time and Arnolds voice. Rubin states, " His music and hers, Oates tells us, blend perfectly and indeed Arnold's voice is perceived by Connie as being the same as that of the disc jockey on the radio" (Rubin 162). Second the divergence between desire and fear, because in the story she freezes and cannot dial the phone for help. Rubin believes that Connie's inability to control the situation has a dream-like quality. Lastly Connie gives in to Arnold's threats and goes with him, but only after he gives her praise, "you"re better than them [her family] because not one of them would have done this for you" (Oates 159). This statement Arnold makes to her makes her feel dignified. "And in her dream she gives herself full credit for it" (Rubin 162).
The reason that this interpretation makes the most sense to me is because I agree with Rubin's argument. Rubin states, "Such physical paralysis in the face of oncoming danger is a phenomenon familiar to all dreamers, like being unable to run from the monster because your legs won't respond to your will"(Rubin 162). I have had a dream where something is chasing me and my legs will just not move, and I believe that the frozen state that Connie is in during the Arnold Friend situation is, in fact, a dream. Rubin states, "Connie's initial response to her first view of Arnold the night before, in the shopping center was one of intense excitement" (Rubin 162). So I also believe that Connie's sense of desire overcomes her fear, which ultimately leads to her going with Arnold.
