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Where Are You Going, Where Have You? By Joyce Carol Oates
In the story Where Are You Going, Where Have You? Arnold friend’s character is likened to a serial killer. He laughed over nothing when Connie said she did not want to go for a ride with him. According to the author, He laughed as if she had said something funny (Oates 5). The laughter is weird in that; we only laugh when something is amusing or exciting. At this point, nothing seems to be enchanting or funny. Connie just gave a simple answer that she would not ride with them because she had many things to do. The laughter is then followed by a strange standing posture (Oates 5). The guy was standing as if balancing by leaning back against a car they had packed with Ellie at Connie’s home. His recovery from the strange laughter proved that it was all a fake (5). He was up to something fishy. He was manipulating Connie so that she could accept his offer. Most serial killers are manipulative and controlling.
His physical appearance was also a major prove. After putting off his sunglasses, Connie describes the paleness of his skin around his eyes to that of holes that were not in the shadow but instead in light. “His eyes were like chips of broken glass that catch the light in an amiable way,” (Oates 5). One of the dominant characteristics of serial killers is physical injuries in some parts of their bodies. The injuries are a connection to abuse that either occurred during childhood or from past events.

Many serial killers are more intelligent than the normal people. In the story, Arnold friend organizes his gestures, in particular, through his smiles and act of positive attitude. It is as if he can read Connie’s mind. He understands that she is only 15 and controlling her thoughts would be an easy task. In the beginning, before their conversation goes deeper, Arnold friend invites her to come and view the other side of the car after bragging about how cool it was. He says “Just for a ride, Connie sweetheart,”(Oates 5). He also calls her honey and smiles back trying to win her heart. He says he does not love fat women; he loves people who look like Connie (Oates 8). Unfortunately, Connie was a bit ahead of him. She could tell he was up to no good and she even closed the door to her kitchen because she felt insecure.
A tendency to display violent behavior is another characteristic of serial killers. After Connie refuses to get out of the house, Arnold friend threatens to come and get her all by himself. He even tells her that he would break in if he had to. This is after Connie threatened to call the police using the home telephone. According to the narrator, Arnold friend says. “This is how it is, honey: you come out and we’ll drive away, have a nice ride. But if you don’t come out we’re gonna wait till your people come home and then they’re all going to get it,” (Oates 9). He also threatens to harm her family.
Serial killers are quick to anger. He is angry at Ellie for talking to him and responds in a very angry manner when he says, “Ellie keep to yourself, this ain’t your date right? Don’t hem in on me, don’t hog, don’t crush, don’t bird dog, don’t trail me,” (Oates 10). This proves that he is quickly provoked by things that make him mad or do not go as planned. Lastly, the guy looks older about thirty and yet he wants to hang out with a fifteen-year-old girl (Oates 6). This seems strange because guys like him ought to be doing serious activities and not hitting on very young teenagers.
Work Cited
Oates, Joyce Carol. Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? Princeton [N.J.]: Ontario
Review Press, 1993. Print.