Summary Of Short Story 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been'

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The ending of a story can make or break the story as a whole. If the audience enjoys reading the book, but is upset with the ending, it possibly could ruin the entire book for them. A mysterious ending is a different approach, which could make the reader enjoy the book more. At first, one may think this isn’t true because the audience is left on a cliffhanger; however, it requires the reader to think about the ending and what they believe actually happened. Having a mysterious ending also encourages debate among fellow readers. The short story, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been”, leaves readers with an opportunity to decide Connie’s fate, which is more effective, unlike the movie Smooth Talk, which tells watchers what happened.
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Theories include my Arnold being a devil, and Arnold being a messiah. The one that was most believable was by Larry Rubin in the Explicator 42. He made a criticism in which he stated that he believed Connie fell asleep in the sun and dreamt everything that happened in the story. Rubin states, “The fact that Connie recognizes the sensual music being broadcast on Arnold’s car radio as being the same as that emanating from her own in the house provides another strong clue to his real nature- that of a dream-like projection of her erotic fantasies” (57-59). This theory is considering that Connie is dreaming of being with a guy she can’t have, someone older. The music is used a symbol to represent the dream. “‘You’re better than them [her family] because not a one of them would have done this for you’ -is exactly what poor, unappreciated Connie wants to hear. She is making a noble sacrifice, and in her dream she gives herself full credit for it” (57-59). Connie is giving herself the satisfaction she is craving for in real life. She wants validation and love. Which if the dream theory is true, she was successful in rewarding herself with two of her biggest desires in her
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