Introduction
A novelist who writes poetry, a poet, and at the same time a novelist — there are many examples of this kind in American literature of our days. Combining a novelist and a lyric poet in one person does not seem as unusual or unconventional today as it might have seemed half a century ago. The fact that Oates is primarily a prose writer can be seen by her poems, which strongly resemble her prose because she returns to her “prosaic” — developed in novels and short stories — themes and motives. There is a lot of symbolism and hidden themes in Oates’ works. Thus, the theme of inequality between the sexes is revealed in the work Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been.
Characterization
In the work, the author tells about a young girl, Connie, who is 16 years old and very pretty and understands this. However, she cannot find support, acceptance, and understanding in the family. Parents love their older sister more and always compare her to her.
Connie is not interested in spending time with her family (Oates 7). She likes to walk on the street with her friends and boys because she feels free there. But suddenly, when her parents left without her to relatives, and she was left alone at home, adult guys drove up to her in a car. They began to persuade her to leave the house and directly hinted that they wanted physical intimacy with her.
Connie initially denied it and tried to call the police, but her mind was changed. She looked back at the house, and everything seemed strange to her. She decided that behind the house was absolute freedom, and she voluntarily went to meet mortal danger.
The Style of Writing
The style of writing the work is prose. The language is quite simple and concise. Therefore, it is read quickly and clearly from the first lines (Oates 8). Throughout the work, readers see the picture only through the eyes of the main character, Connie. Consequently, there is a feeling that readers are in her head, but it is interesting to follow and empathize with her thoughts.
The house in which the main character works is a cage that keeps a woman in self-development and freedom. In conversation with obsessive men, she constantly looks back at the kitchen and notices dirty dishes, then a sticky floor. She does not see the house as a place of safety and shelter.
In this case, the street acts as the world of men, a symbol of freedom (Oates 9). She strives to get out “free” at every opportunity and walks the whole day around the streets and shops. Consequently, the stereotypes that a man dominates and enjoys freedom, and a woman is obliged to spend all day in the kitchen became a key factor for her why she chose to leave with men.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is essential to note that in the work Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been, the central theme is the inequality between a man and a woman. A young girl, Connie, who has not even reached adulthood, leaves the house with adult men because she does not see a place in the house where she can hide and escape. The men convince her that her house only looks like a safe place, but they will break down the door very easily if they want to. The work touches on an important topic and shows the consequences when young girls grow up under the onslaught of gender stereotypes.
Work Cited
Oates, Joyce Carol. Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? Rutgers University Press, 1994.