where are you going where have you been Questions
Question one
The story “where are you going where have you been” can be related to a fairy tale “The wishes and dreams our hearts makes“. For instance, Connie dreamlike escape is similar to that of Cinderella, although it promises her pleasurable moments, unfortunately, in the end, it brings her unresolved tension instants. This depicts the experience that occurs to many young women and men that despite the aspiration of attaining to womanhood, they become victims of masculine sexual appetite men who use them for disposal. Cinderella the girl in the story “The wishes and dreams our hearts makes “has the desires in the purity of heart to feel good and pretty, gain attention from main and be cherished. In the end, her dreams are devalued and she finds herself in a motif of pretence and pressures of a serious tragic in the concept of feminization.
Question two
From the story, Connie’s home has been used as a symbol. This is because the major actions between Arnold friend and Connie happen at Connie’s home. Therefore, the home symbolizes a world that Connie has always known, this is a world of family custom. While her position at the stop symbolizes the transition from the small world, home, to a wider world. It means that her home and family cannot protect her from the outside world, who is Arnold, that threatens to take her away and destroy her.
Home can be described as a motif in the story since it has contributed to the development of the theme. Home has developed the theme of independence. From the start of the story, it is clear that Connie does not like staying at home due to the strict rule of her mother and sister. Therefore, she goes out to seek freedom and independence. But at the end of the story she loses it all, that is her home, freedom and independence that she has been seeking all along.
Question Three
After viewing the film adaptation of the short story, it is clear that the film has managed to progress the story until the end. The main character in the story has remained intact but only now that there is additional of more characters to prolong the story. For instance, in the short story read about Connie’s mother and how she advises her in the beginning. In the film, we see her involved throughout, we can also get to hear the tone of her voice when talking to Connie about changing her ways.
Additionally, in the story, they only mention about Connie’s father being busy for her daughter, in the film we get to see that in reality and be able to relate to the plot. Also, in the story, we are told that Connie gets out of the story and leaves with Arnold, therefore, we are left in suspense at the end of the story. While in the film the producer extends the story and we get to know what happens to Connie’ the challenges she goes through and finally her regrets.
Therefore, from the film adaptation of the short story, it is clear to say that the producer has maintained has involved other characters but with main characters maintained. The producer has prolonged the story to clarify ion what happens at the end of the story.
Question Four
Yes, I agree with the article about smooth talk movie. The article opens my eyes about the story “where are you going where have you been”. Peter Dickson argues that the movie Smooth talks provide a symbolic and psychological interpretation that is used in the short story. The article explores the meaning of every motive based on different characters and moments in the movie. Dickson’s articulate his point about the movie by use of logical and evidence from the short story. Therefore, Dickson critically describes how Connie family led to her rebellious and deceitful attitude, which eventually leads to her sexual violence. The experience of Connie in the movie can be related to how a dysfunctional family can lead to a strained relationship among teenagers.
Question Five(A)
From the story, music plays a significant role in developing the theme of the story. It is evident from the story that music is something that Connie depended on, she spends most of her time listening to songs because it made her feel everything is good. This action can be illustrated to mean that, the lack of parental involvement in her, sent Connie to look for meaning in songs that made her feel delusional.
Additionally, it is the continuous listening of music that filled Connie’s life by directing her thoughts and actions. For instance, Connie worship music “left to bathe in the sun on Sunday” directs her imagination to call up Arnold, whose existence depends on that music. Eventually, the music from Connie’s radio and Ellie blend.
From the story, it is evident that music has driven the youths to various fantasies and ideal, which are categorized as sensational. When Arnold seduces Connie, this is symbolic of Connie comprehensive loss of her virtue. Body Dylan songs words “Rolling like a stone”, describes the concluding act of the story.
Works Cited
Cattrysse, Patrick. “Film (adaptation) as translation: Some methodological proposals.” Target. International Journal of Translation Studies 4.1 (1992): 53-70.
Dickinson, Peter. “Riding in Cars with Boys: Reconsidering” Smooth Talk”.” Literature/Film Quarterly 36.3 (2008): 202-214.
Oates, Joyce Carol. Where are you going, where have you been?. Rutgers University Press, 1994.