Essay About Age Story And Mysterious Man

Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been
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There are circumstances in ones life that force us
to advance our mentality. In Joyce Carol Oates
“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been.” Connie, a
young teen is faced with a life changing experience,
forcing her to transform from a young teen to a young
adult. In John Updikes “A & P” Sammy chooses to put
himself in a tight situation only to loose his job,
trying to be heroic to three young girls and failed,
as a result of his child-like decision. “Where Are
You Going, Where Have You Been” is an exceptional
example of a coming-of-age story, unlike John Updikes
“A & P”.
Connie from Joyce Carol Oates “Where Are You Going,
Where Have You Been” is your typical young teen that
lies to her parents in order to do what she wants to
do. She has no worries or concerns about the
consequences of her actions. A good situation in the
story that describes this is when Connies best
friends father drove them across town to go shopping
or to the movies. Connies sense of style is
juvenile as well. When she is home her attire is
child-like and innocent. When she is out with her
friends she dresses very titillating. An example of
her dramatic change of fashion is ” She wore a pull
over jersey blouse that looked one way when she was at
home and another way when she was away from home”
Oates 190. These examples show Connies immaturity.
Throughout the story she shows selfishness, until, a
mysterious man who arrived at her home forcing an
altimatum upon her which causes her to make a life
changing decision. The man tries to convince her to
“take a ride” but in reality, him and connie both know
it is so much more than that. Connie becomes hesitant
to go with him, so he threatens her by saying ” This
is how it is honey: you come out and well drive away,
have a nice ride. But if you dont come out were
gonna wait till your people come home and theyre all
going to get it” 202 Oates Connie chooses to go with
him, as a result the spring of her adulthood is very
self- sacrificing, awakening and mentally mature.
In John Updikes “A&P” the main character Sammy seems
to be very dependent