Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? Group

Question:

dannygunderson
dannygunderson
Student
Community / Jr. College

Why is Connie’s sister June included in the story? How does her characterization serve to highlight Connie’s own?

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Posted by dannygunderson on Wednesday March 5, 2008 at 7:59 PM and tagged with where are you going, where are you going, where have you been?, where have you been.

Answers:


  1. linda-allen Teacher
    High School - 10th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    June represents everything Connie despises. June is responsible; Connie is careless. Connie notices the dishes that were left in the sink and thinks that maybe she was supposed to wash them. June would have washed them without giving it a thought. June wears a dress and high heels to a barbeque and socializes with her parents and relatives. Connie dresses to attract boys at the local hangout spot. June serves "as the standard to which Connie's own behavior is always compared and found wanting. Connie believes she is better than her sister because she is more beautiful."

    I don't think Oates meant to say that Connie's behavior and manner of dress caused what happened to her. Connie is just a typical teenager, and the differences between her and June show just how typical Connie is. What ends up happening to her could happen to any girl.

     

     

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/where-are/characters

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    Posted by linda-allen on Wednesday March 5, 2008 at 8:38 PM