Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?

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The Reality of Fantasy vs. Real-World Horror

Experiencing fear in different environments can be brought to us as teachable moments. The feelings you release after fantasy horror and real-world horror are incomparable. The short story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates describes the life of a girl who was unexpectedly put into a horrific situation without wanting to be involved in it. The outcome of real-world horror is most likely to result in disaster. On the other hand, fantasy horror can be looked at as a positive feeling. Depending on either situation, there is something you can take out of it. Countless factors in people’s manipulative actions and words can draw others to make snap decisions about wrongdoing. …show more content…
People like the adrenaline that rushes through their entire bodies. Referring to the article “The Paradox of Horror: Fear as a Positive Emotion” gives a fine explanation of how positive emotions can result from horror. “Fear makes us feel alive: our senses are alert; our heart is bouncing; our attention is highly focused. The increased arousal of horror-induced fear is invigorating and can be experienced as a reward, especially if one wants to break the emotional routine without risking one’s life” (Bantinaki 390). Bantinaki summarizes the emotions that are triggered while you experience fear, what some might mistake and think these emotions are felt during every situation of fear, which is not the case. People adore these emotions because they can choose when to stop or keep going. “She cried out, she cried for her mother, she felt her breath start jerking back and forth in her lungs” (Oates 464). On the other hand, the emotions Connie felt were disturbing and unwanted. She did not have a choice, there was nothing she could have done to avoid the situation she was in. The difference in the outcome of both worlds is our own will to choose. Regardless, fantasy horror and real-world horror can help you to be more aware of future misleading
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