A Crippled Relationship In Joyce Carol Oates’ “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” there is no exact explanation of what happens to Connie. Connie is a fifteen year old girl with a bad relationship with her mother. Her mother is constantly praising her older sister, June, who is the perfect child. Connie’s father is always working, so the only parental relationship she has is with her mother. This has made Connie a very independent and rebellious girl. Connie’s father usually drives Connie to the plaza, where her and her friends sneak across the highway to the diner. They usually hang out with boys at the drive-in diner. One day Connie ditches her friends to have dinner with a boy by the name of Eddie. While they cross the parking lot,…show more content… This is the easiest theory to believe because of Arnold’s chilling features. It all starts when Arnold is lurking in the parking lot and talks to Connie. When he says “Gonna get you, baby” it reveals that Arnold is a creep. The mysterious man in the gold car doesn’t show up again until the end of the story. When he does show up, he is pulling into Connie’s driveway. This supports the theory that he has been stalking Connie and has plans to take her from her home. Connie’s family has left for a family barbecue and is home alone. On the side of his car are numbers thirty-three, nineteen, and seventeen. These numbers added together equal sixty-nine, which could have some sexual meaning to it. This would mean his future with Connie would be only temporary. The numbers could also we the ages of past murder victims. Arnold lies about his age to Connie which shows he cannot be trusted. When Connie becomes worried about her safety, she threatens to call the police. Arnold warns her not to do that or he will enter the house. Connie continues with her plan and goes through. She becomes disoriented for a while and reawakens with Arnold in the house. She then falls into Arnolds hands and goes with
