Amen Qureshi, Week 12

In the short story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates, the feeling of fear that readers experience is different from the one that horror movies stimulate. Movies often contain violent and gory scenes, which can be overwhelming for some viewers. On the other hand, stories do not have visual effects, so the frightening parts only exist in the reader’s creativity. Rather than showing scary images, stories describe them in detail, creating a feeling of concern and excitement. In the story, the character Arnold Friend is creepy, and his words and actions can make the reader’s skin crawl. For instance, his unsettling smile and the way he invades Connie’s personal space create a sense of unease that lingers throughout the narrative. In contrast to movies, where viewers can look away from the screen if it gets too scary, stories create an immersive experience that readers cannot escape because it all happens in their minds. Therefore, it is often more frightening and harder to forget.