Melissa Cruz week 5

Rena Korb, a scholar, examines many ways to understand “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” in her critical analysis. According to one interpretation cited in the essay by Korb, the tale is essentially a “inverted fairy tale.” According to this view, Connie, the main character, is a contemporary Cinderella who is tempted into leaving her comfortable home and entering a perilous world.

This perspective, in Korb’s opinion, is supported by a number of the story’s features. Arnold Friend, for instance, can be compared to a dark prince or other bad character who tempts Connie with the prospect of freedom and adventure. Similar to Connie, Arnold’s eventual dominance over her can be seen as her falling under his enchantment or spell.

This interpretation intrigues me personally since it brings out the story’s fundamental elements of vulnerability and innocence. Connie is initially portrayed as a young girl stuck between childhood and adulthood, much like Cinderella. She longs for freedom and adventure but lacks the knowledge to avoid the dangers that lie ahead.

This perspective also clarifies the expectations that society has for young women. In “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” Connie is shown as a man’s object of desire who is the victim of male manipulation, much like how women are frequently portrayed in traditional fairy tales as damsels in distress waiting for their prince charming to save them.

Overall, understanding “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” as an upside-down fairy tale helps us comprehend its themes and characters better. It serves as a warning about the dangers young women must avoid in a world where outward appearances can be deceitful