"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been"
"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been" is a short story written by Joyce Carol Oates, and was published in 1966.
Reason for Writing
Joyce Carol Oates dedicated this short story to American singer-songwriter, Bob Dylan. She has claimed that the story was inspired by his song "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" which reminded her of folk legends of "Death and the Maiden." Oates also based the story on murders that happened in Tucson, Arizona by Charles Schmid in 1965 (Ramsland).
Image on left shows Joyce Carol Oates.
"Smooth Talk"
"Smooth Talk" is a loose film adaptation of the short story adapted by Tom Cole and directed by Joyce Chopra (Ebert). It is said that Joyce Chopra directed the movie because she was eager to direct a narrative feature. The story "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been" also "hit a nerve" for Joyce Chopra. In a way, Joyce Chopra felt connected to the story due to "a brush with sexual assault as a girl" (Moore).
Image on right shows a screen capture of Treat Williams (left) and Laura Dern (right) in the film "Smooth Talk."
Story Summary
"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been" is a short story about a 15-year-old girl named Connie exploring her teenage identity and relationships with boys while dealing with her jealous mother’s criticism. Connie has an older sister, June, who is considered the golden child. Thanks to June going out with her friends, their parents also allow Connie to go out with her own friends. One day, while at the mall, Connie and her friends sneak to a diner to meet older boys. While going off with a boy, Connie notices a suspicious man watching her but doesn’t see him afterward. Connie and her friends meet back up and go home without a hitch. When summer starts, Connie's family goes to a barbecue, leaving her home alone. The suspicious man, Arnold Friend, appears in a gold car and tries to lure her outside. Despite her refusal, Arnold threatens her family, and eventually, Connie goes with him, realizing she has no way to escape. The story ends without revealing her fate.
Image on left is the cover of "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?"
Why It Matters
"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been" reflected concepts that Americans were battling around the time of its publication. Some examples are "the decay of the family, a focus on the superficial, women empowerment and independence, and a move away from religion". The public was worried about the rock and pop music making its way into society, a growing teen population which was becoming exceedingly sexually aware and active, an increase in teenage runaways who's views combated against their parents conservative views, and a flood of serial killers (Vaia Editorial Team).
Image on right of Treat Williams as Arnold Friend in the movie "Smooth Talk".
Below is a video of an interview with Oates, saying what about Bob Dylan and his song inspired her to write the story.