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   appletrees Teacher
   College - Junior

   eNotes Editor

   One interpretation of this title is that it's a statement made by someone else to the protagonist, Connie. Early on in the story Oats establishes that Connie is dreamy and distracted, and walks like she 'hears secret music in her head.' In this same way, Connie would imagine or only half hear things said to her by her parents. Connie's protective mother wants to know where she is, as she suspects her daughter is experimenting with sex. By suggesting this unspoken but plausible exchange, Oates creates a situation where Connie's mother suspects her daughter is engaged in potentially dangerous behavior, and we the reader also know this to be true. By asking her where she's going, where she's been, Connie's mother (theoretically) tries to control her daughter's behavior by being aware of her whereabouts. This kind of dynamic is common between adolescent girls and their parents; the former want to prove their independence and experiment with adult activities, while the latter want to keep their children safe from harm.

    

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   Posted by appletrees on Sunday August 23, 2009 at 12:57 PM