WAYGWHYB & "Seduction, Space, and a Fictional Mode" Reaction

I found Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been to be a very fascinating story that highlights many of the insecurities and fears of our world, especially for a rebellious young woman. Gillis’ analysis was even more interesting and focused on several aspects of Oates’ story that were very abstract and insightful.

                For example, Gillis emphasizes the invasion of space that is displayed throughout Oates’ Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been. I found it fascinating how she points out the theme of invasion that is seen throughout the book. I had noticed the literal invasion of Arnold Friend into Connie’s home, but there were a few other symbolic invasions that I did not originally pick up on. For example, there was the symbolic invasion of her innocence by the new and seductive life of partying at the drive-in restaurant.

                Another point that Gillis made that I found quite fascinating was the idea that personal invasion has become a much greater issue in the more recent times in which has led to fictional stories dealing more with the “evil represented as that which threatens the privacy of self” (Gillis 134). I find this particularly interesting because it related to some of the other readings that we have done in this class. One example being Benjamin Barber, who explains in his book, Consumed, that in our day and age, people are becoming increasingly privatized. He explained that we are beginning to focus more on the individual, rather than the collective and postulated that that led us to be vulnerable to the invasion of consumerism into our lives. This vulnerability to consumerism parallels the way that Connie’s vanity and focus on her own wants and needs rather than those of her family leaves her vulnerable to be invaded by Arnold Friend. If Connie had not been so vain in feeling the need to stay home from the picnic to wash her hair, she would not have been home alone and not have needed to deal with Arnold Friend.

                Gillis also explains that in its own way, Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been is a coming of age story, which I find to be an interesting interpretation of the story. She explains that “the tale catches its main character at a passage point where, it is implied, the future may depend precipitously on the past” (Gillis 135). I can see how Oates’ story could be interpreted as coming of age story, what with Connie, at the young age of 15, separating from her parents and going to the drive in, experiencing things that she has never before experienced. However, most coming of age stories do not have the dark undertone that characterizes Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been. When Connie comes out into the world, while she is greeted with the common seduction and temptation that is found in other coming of age stories such as Gatsby (as Gillis uses for an example), her experience is much darker and unfriendly, guided by the most frightening of all, Arnold Friend.

                Overall, both Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been and Seduction, Space, and a Fictional Mode were extremely fascinating reads that touched on issues that were very engaging. I felt that Gillis’ critical essay was especially interesting because of her illustrative analysis of Oates’ story.