Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been?- Socratic questions

1) What was the name of the boy that Connie hung out with, and eventually decided she liked him?
    a. His name was Eddie. It is written, "... and her mind slipped over onto thoughts of the boy she had been with the night before and how nice he had been with the night before and how nice he had been, how sweet it always was..." (Oates).
2) Why does Connie's mother show Connie little affection?
    a. It is written in the story that Connie's mother is jealous of her looks, due to her loosing hers of old age. Although that's written in Connie's view. The reader may believe it's because of Connie's selfishness, her lack of behaving and interaction with her family. It is written, "She wore a pull-over jersey blouse that looked one way when she was at home and another way when she was away from home"(Oates).
3) How different is the discipline of parents in the 21st century, compared to the story?
   a. Connie's parents were not very strict. "Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been?", mentions a lot of youth running around. In the 21st century, to see a lot of kids outside is quite rare because they're inside catching up with new technology and inventions. It is written, "The father of Connie's best girl friend drove the girls the three miles to town and left them at a shopping plaza so they could walk through the stores or go to a movie, and when he came to pick them up again at eleven he never bothered to ask what they had done.
4) How does Connie's response explaining a girl as "dope", connect to how the author wants the reader to treat people?
   a. Connie pretty much doesn't care for anyone but herself. She spends a lot of time on her appearance, and she cares very little about how her parents view her. The reader can infer that the way you treat somebody to reflect your own image, can come back and hurt you in the future. It's ironic that she calls someone "dope", then she hears Arnold say to Ellie, "You miserable dope". Connie's character is reflected in Arnold at that moment when he yells at Ellie. She sees through her eyes how she has treated people in the past. Everybody should be treated with compassion and kindness, because that's the human thing to do. Treat others the way you want to be treated!
5) What is ironic about the characterization of Arnold Friend?
    a. When Oates explains Arnold, the reader(me) is drawn in. She explains, "...tight faded jeans stuffed into black, scuffed boots, a belt that pulled his waist in and showed the hard small muscles of his arms and shoulders". Connie is pulled in by his appearance, although she doesn't give in and go outside just yet. She looks past the outside and sees that he's not safe. The author wants the reader to do the same thing that Connie did, not falling for physical features, because the inside may be an ugly mess.