Cultural Context Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been

Cultural Context Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been” is good representation of the culture of the 1960’s. The 1960’s was a changing time in American culture. The 60’s were radically different from the decades before it. The 60’s were a time when people started to change social norms and people really started to go against authority. The reader sees elements of this in the story. The story describes Connie as pretty and someone who looks one way at home and another way away from home. Connie’s looks and fashion show how the style of the 60’s was different from the time before it. Her mother often citizens Connie for her looks. Connie resents her mother for this and she rebels against her family. …show more content…
Then there is the character of Arnold Friend. Arnold comes across to the reader as a bad guy. It is unknown what he wants to do, but it is implied he might rape and or kill Connie. Arnold represent another part of 60’s culture. Witch would be the rise of serial killers and the growing danger in society. “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been” showcases the culture of the 1960’s The story shows how society became more rebellious and dangerous as well as less conservative. One of the many factors of1960’s culture featured in “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been” is how society became less conservative. The 40’s and 50’s were a more conservative time then the 60’s. The 40’s and 50’s were more innocent times. The 60’s however were more rebellious and the culture was the beginning of sex, drugs and rock and roll. The story shows this culture change in the way Connie looks. The story describes her as an attractive young girl. She also dressed to complement her attractiveness. The story does not go in to detail about the clothes Connie wears, but there is enough detail to know it is different than the fashion of previous …show more content…
Connie has a bit of a rebellious side to her. The way Connie rebels is by rebelling against the authority of her parents. Connie resents her mother for the way she treats her and she has barely any relationship with her father. In the story it is established that Connie is doing things her family would not approve of and that she does not want to spend time with her family. The quote of the story that sticks out regarding her relationship with her family is “She wore a pull-over blue jersey blouse that looked one way when she was at home and another way when she was away from home (Oates p.325).” She looked different when she was away from home. Implying that when she was out of the house she would look a way that her parents would not approve of. It is mentioned in the story how Connie and her friends go out and how one of Connie’s friends father is the one who drives them. It is said the father that drives them never asks what they had done. The fact that Connie looks different away from home and that the one adult involved in her outings does not care what her and her friends did is enough to tell the reader that Connie’s parent would not approve of what she looks like and what she does when she leaves the house. In the story it also makes mention of how Connie’s mother thinks she should look and dress differently, but Connie refuses to obey her mother a Connie even wishes her