Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been?

The short story “Where are you Going? Where have you Been?” contains all the characteristics of a piece of literature. The author does a good job of developing the setting and the characters while also using metaphors and hidden meanings.

In this short story, Connie is the protagonist. Her character is fully developed so the reader knows her background, her appearance, and all her actions throughout the story. Knowing the inspiration of this piece of literature, some people might think that Arnold Friend was mean to be the protagonist, but in my opinion he is the antagonist because he is against the main character.

An important metaphor, Connie’s house, is also used in the story to explain the main character. Her house was in desperate need of repairs. As was Connie’s image of herself. Her mom was in the middle of making over the exterior so it looked two different ways, old and new. Connie had a similar appearance. She looked one way around her parents and another when she went out and about.

Another important characteristic of the short story is the use of symbols. One symbol used was the numbers painted on Arnold Friend’s car, 33 19 17. After researching, I believe that the numbers stand for a bible verse. If you count backwards in the Old Testament, the 33rd book is Judges. When you look at the 19th chapter, 17 verse it says, “and the old man said, ‘Whither goest thou? and whence comest thou?’” This is the title of the short story, “Where are you Going? Where have you Been?” In my opinion that is not a coincidence.

Finally, the setting was an important element of this piece of literature. Oats choose this setting according to her inspiration. Actual even that occurred in Arizona were very similar and in the same small town. I think if the story took place in another place, like a city, would not have the same effect. Being able to run across a highway to get to the local burger joint gives more of an opportunity to get in a bad situation with strangers. If you were to drive around in a car in the city you would be less likely to meat strange people. The setting provided allows for the reader to put themselves in the small town as well.

WORD COUNT: 390