In the ‘coming-of-age story’ the major conflict of the story lies in the adult world. Rather than focusing on the change of the youth, in the latter story type the youth character is exposed to a confrontation with the adult world. In Oates’s story this confrontation consists of the fact that the youth world (Connie) is getting overpowered by the adult world (Arnold Friend).
At the beginning of the story, in the title, the reader is confronted with a twofold question pointing in two directions. “The very title of the story calls attention to duality: a future (where are you going) and a past (where have you been).” Therefore, in this term paper the following thesis will be examined: “The concept of duality is a basic feature of the ‘coming-of-age’ story.” It will be shown that in Oates’s “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” one distinctive feature of creating the story type of the ‘coming-of-age’ story is the concept of duality. While following the twofold pattern of analyzing the representation of the youth world and the adult world, further major techniques of creating duality in Oates’s story will be discovered, such as irony, ambiguity, grotesque, parody, allusions, deception, and allegory.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Concept of Duality in the Coming-of-Age Story
- The Youth World: Connie's Dual Identity
- The Adult World: Duality and Weakness
- Arnold Friend: Duality, Deception, and Disguise
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper examines the concept of duality as a defining feature of the coming-of-age story, using Joyce Carol Oates's "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" as a case study. It analyzes how duality is represented in the portrayal of both the youth and adult worlds within the narrative.
- The dual nature of adolescence and the challenges of identity formation.
- The contrasting portrayals of the youth and adult worlds.
- The use of literary techniques (irony, ambiguity, grotesque, etc.) to create duality.
- The critique of societal values and the weakness of the adult figures.
- The ambiguous and deceptive nature of Arnold Friend.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This section introduces Joyce Carol Oates's short story "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" and proposes to analyze the concept of duality as a central element of the coming-of-age narrative within the story. It contrasts the "story of initiation" with the "coming-of-age story," highlighting the latter's focus on the young protagonist's confrontation with the adult world and its critique of societal structures. The title's dual question, pointing to both past and future, is introduced as a key element foreshadowing the thematic exploration of duality.
The Concept of Duality in the Coming-of-Age Story: This section establishes the thesis that the concept of duality is a fundamental aspect of the coming-of-age story genre. It outlines the approach of analyzing the representation of both the youth world (Connie) and the adult world, promising to uncover techniques like irony, ambiguity, and allegory that contribute to the overall theme of duality.
The Youth World: Connie's Dual Identity: This section delves into the dual nature of Connie's identity, portraying her as a typical teenage girl navigating two distinct roles: Connie at home and Connie with her friends. Her contrasting appearances and behaviors highlight this internal conflict. The analysis explores Connie’s conflicting desires to conform to middle-class expectations while simultaneously seeking escape through fantasy and music, emphasizing her lack of a clear self-concept and vulnerability.
The Adult World: Duality and Weakness: This section analyzes the adult world, focusing on the weakness and superficiality of Connie's family and their limited moral guidance. The parents' lack of identity and their inability to provide meaningful direction for Connie are highlighted, contrasting sharply with the idealized image of the American middle-class family. The moral indifference of the adult world is further emphasized by the portrayal of Connie's friend's father.
Arnold Friend: Duality, Deception, and Disguise: This section examines the character of Arnold Friend as a complex representation of the adult world, offering a stark contrast to Connie's family. Arnold's ambiguous and deceptive nature is emphasized through his disguise, which allows him to seemingly embody Connie's desires while simultaneously representing a threat. The analysis suggests that Arnold's duality and the deceptive techniques he employs serve to highlight the larger critique of societal values and the vulnerability of youth in the face of adult manipulation.
Keywords
Coming-of-age story, duality, Joyce Carol Oates, "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?", youth vs. adult world, identity, deception, ambiguity, societal critique, teenage girl, Arnold Friend, irony, allegory.
Frequently Asked Questions: Joyce Carol Oates' "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" - A Study of Duality
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes the concept of duality as a central theme in Joyce Carol Oates' short story, "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?", using it as a case study for understanding duality in coming-of-age narratives. It explores how duality is presented in the portrayal of both the youth and adult worlds within the story.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The key themes include the dual nature of adolescence and the challenges of identity formation; the contrasting portrayals of the youth and adult worlds; the use of literary techniques (irony, ambiguity, the grotesque) to create duality; a critique of societal values and the weakness of adult figures; and the ambiguous and deceptive nature of the character Arnold Friend.
What are the objectives of this analysis?
The paper aims to examine how duality manifests in the coming-of-age story genre. It seeks to understand how Oates uses duality to represent the protagonist's struggle with identity, the societal pressures she faces, and the manipulative nature of the adult world.
How is duality represented in the character of Connie?
Connie's duality is shown through her contrasting identities: her behavior at home versus her behavior with friends. This reflects her internal conflict and lack of a clear self-concept, making her vulnerable. Her desire to conform to societal expectations while simultaneously seeking escape highlights this internal struggle.
How does the paper portray the adult world?
The adult world is depicted as weak, superficial, and morally indifferent. Connie's parents are presented as lacking in identity and unable to provide guidance, contrasting sharply with the idealized image of the American middle-class family. The moral indifference is further emphasized through the portrayal of a friend's father.
What is the significance of Arnold Friend's character?
Arnold Friend represents a complex and contrasting portrayal of the adult world, sharply contrasting with Connie's family. His ambiguous and deceptive nature, achieved through disguise, allows him to appear appealing while simultaneously representing a threat. He highlights the larger critique of societal values and the vulnerability of youth to adult manipulation.
What literary techniques are discussed in the paper?
The paper analyzes how Oates utilizes irony, ambiguity, and potentially the grotesque to create and emphasize the theme of duality throughout the story.
What is the overall argument of the paper regarding duality in coming-of-age stories?
The paper argues that duality is a fundamental element of coming-of-age narratives. It uses Oates' story to demonstrate how this duality is manifested in the contrast between the youth and adult worlds, the internal conflicts of the protagonist, and the deceptive nature of adult figures.
What are the key takeaways from the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries provide a concise overview of how the concept of duality is explored in each section of the story. The introduction establishes the central thesis, while subsequent chapters delve into specific aspects of duality as they relate to Connie, her family, and Arnold Friend.
What keywords are associated with this analysis?
Key words include coming-of-age story, duality, Joyce Carol Oates, "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?", youth vs. adult world, identity, deception, ambiguity, societal critique, teenage girl, Arnold Friend, irony, and allegory.
- Citar trabajo
- Andreas Keilbach (Autor), 2009, The Concept of Duality in Joyce Carol Oates’s “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/131031
