The story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” shows real life situations in the modern world today, such as, pedophiles hunting down children who end up being physically harmed or traumatized and get away with it. The story is about the safety of children, sexual maturity, and rape. In the text it states, “She cried out, she cried for her mother, she felt her breath start jerking back and forth in her lungs as if it were something Arnold Friend was stabbing her with again and again with no tenderness.” (Oates). Furthermore, a girl in the story named Connie was raped after being left home alone, but she could not call for help since she was threatened with her family. In my opinion, Connie gave in to Arnold Friend knowing he was going to rape her because of body experience. “She watched herself push the door slowly open as if she were back safe somewhere in the other doorway, watching this body and this head of long hair moving out into the sunlight where Arnold Friend waited.” (Oates). Rapists get away with things, since some people are threatened or give in to them just for sexual experience.
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2 thoughts on “Ismael Valerio Discussion 14”
Ismael, your comments are all well taken. However, the prompt asks students to refer specifically to one of the interpretations put forward in the literary critique by Rena Korb in Activity 2.
As a commentary on real life situations involving child safety, sexual maturity and rape, it is certainly valid. The story does paint a scenario in which a young girl, Connie, becomes the target and eventual victim of a predatory and manipulative man, Arnold’s friend. Connie’s experience is tragic and all too common, and the story is a cautionary tale of the dangers that can arise when young people are too trusting or too willing to take risks.
Your observation that Connie may have succumbed to Arnold’s friend because of her desire for sexual experience is an interesting one, and it does highlight an important aspect of the story’s exploration of sexual power dynamics. Arnold Friend is a character who exerts a great deal of control over Connie, both through his physical presence and through his ability to manipulate her emotions and desires. As you noted, this pattern is often played out in real-life incidents of sexual abuse and assault, where perpetrators use the vulnerability and desires of their victims to gain power over them.
Overall, your interpretation of the story is engaging and it highlights some of the important themes and issues raised by the story. By exploring how young people are preyed upon by those with more power and experience, and by portraying the traumatic consequences of such encounters, the story serves as a powerful reminder of the need to be vigilant and protect those who may be at risk.