illustration of a young girl, Connie, reflected in the sunglasses of a man, Arnold Friend

Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?

by Joyce Carol Oates

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Student Question

What appeals to Connie about her dream world in "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?"

Quick answer:

Connie is drawn to her dream world because it offers an escape from the restrictions and pressures of her real life, such as school, parental expectations, and comparisons to her sister. In her dreams, she feels liberated and free to create her own rules, allowing her to express her desires and fantasies without inhibition. This world represents the life she wishes she could lead, free from the constraints of her reality.

characters: Connie
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In "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?," Connie's dream world is of her own creation.  She feels comfortable there because in her dreams, she does not have to worry about the restrictions and pressures of her normal teenage life: school, her parents, the repressive comparisons of her to her older sister.  In Connie's dreams, she can feel truly free, because she alone makes the rules.  She can let down her guard and free her inhibitions and desires all at the same time, entering into a kind of fantasy of how she wishes her life could be. 

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