Week 4 DQs

Joyce Carol Oates`s Short Story `Where Are You Going , Where Have You Been ? `

The story `Where are you going , where have you been ' is a story about a girl about fifteen years of age and having behavioral problem originated from her poor relationship with her mother . She is described in the story as stubborn , rebellious , self-centered , and vane . The story is a tale of insecure woman and romantic but a skilled flirt and she is drawn in a situation where she could not handle

Connie 's relation with her family and

the way she thinks of them shows they were not close . Connie seemed to lament the way her mother would treat her and her older sister June to the point that she wished her mother was dead and she herself was dead and it was all over ' She lamented to her friends , She makes me want to be thrown up some times

Connie at fifteen still has childish behavior perhaps typical for young woman like her , showing little concern with house works as her mind was all filled with trashy day dreams . Connie 's behavior though seemed to be very selfish as she cares only of her looks and her own happiness as if she was her own world . She is less interested in family relationship as she would rather go with her friends than going with her family , or prefer to just listen to music

Her behavior is quite a little less to be described as a spoiled brat She seemed to lack positive traits particularly family values . There might have some reasons for these . First , her mother seemed to show favoritism as she is often compared to her older sister . Her ways and action are viewed as un-acceptable without considering that she is only fifteen and surely needs guidance . Her mother can only appreciate the simple or maybe almost naive orientation of her older sister June

Second , her father does not care of them , as when he comes home , he only cares for the supper , news and his bed . There seems to have no legitimate authority except her mother 's voice always scolding her which to her , she had a high breathless , amused , voice that made everything she said a little forced

The way Connie thinks of her self shows that she was not positively motivated to have a more meaningful outlook in life which at her age she suppose to have already . Her mind is full of fantasies about someone she meets and the imagination that comes along with it . Her relations with her family have not helped or motivated her toward having a more mature attitude and outlook in life

John Updike`s Emphasis on Marriage relates to larger American issues . In other words , do you think the marriages he portrays result from certain social conditions typical of the U .S

The novel Separating ' was about a couple who had lived together for quite long years , a couple with four young children who seemed to...