This is where most of the story takes place. Connie considers her home as her sanctuary, a world she has always known a home that failed to protect her physically. The only thing between her and Arnold is a screen door. Arnold compares Connie’s home to a cardboard box “This place you are now-inside your daddy’s house-is nothing but a cardboard box” (Oates 320) which means her situation has become dire. The boy in “Unprepared” recognizes right away how he placed himself in a situation that can become very dangerous. Keeping real close by him the one thing that will protect him, his trusting razor. On the other hand, with no one to protect her Connie has succumb to Arnold. Under Arnold’s control Connie crosses the threshold. The crossing of the threshold symbolizes her transition in which she leaves behind her childhood and enters her adulthood or leaves life to enter