Reflection Response for “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”.

There have been several interpretations for this story. Some literary critics have suggested that Connie’s story is a coming of age tale of a girl’s separation

from her family as she is transitioning into the harsh realities of adulthood. Others question whether Connie is imagining her fate in one of her “trashy daydreams.”

Additional questions include the following: Is Arnold Friend a perverted stalker (An Old Fiend) or the personification of evil, death, or the devil? Is he a

representation of Connie’s repressed desire for personal and sexual liberation? Is it possible that Arnold is Connie’s savior whose sole purpose is to rescue her from

a family who doesn’t understand her? Is it possible that Connie makes the ultimate sacrifice to save her family?
Take a stance and argue for the interpretation you favor. However, I want you to use parenthetical citations for any quotations or paraphrases you choose from the

selection to support your argument.
Your argument should answer one of the questions listed above and your borrowed evidence (quotations and/or paraphrases) should support your points.
Compose an introductory paragraph that includes the author’s name and title of the story. Remember that your thesis statement should be the last sentence of the

first paragraph. Include at least 2 to 3 paragraphs to support your argument and a separate Works Cited Page.
Review my sample response for information about the MLA format for the inserted page numbers, the identification information, a title that reflects your thesis,

the inclusion of borrowed evidence, and a Works Cited Page.
Discussion Board Assignments:
Your posts for each story should be a minimum of 100 words and your replies should be at least 50 words each. Be sure to reply to two students.

Discussion Board Question for “Greasy Lake”
Think of a pivotal moment in your life and describe what happened to you and how the situation changed your life.
Example:  My pivotal moment in college was the semester I earned two F’s and a grade point average of 1.3. Up to that point, I was doing just enough to get by. That

had worked for me in the past, so I thought I could just keep doing the bare minimum to pass my classes. However, earning an F in math and another one in a French

class was a wakeup call for me and I had to work twice as hard in all of my classes the next semester to boost my grade point average up enough to remain in school.

After that experience, I vowed to never to let that happen again, and I didn’t.

Question for “A&P” story
When the three girls walk into the local A&P, their presence challenges the social standards of the era and the story’s narrator, Sammy, is intrigued. After the

store manager assumes the responsibility of enforcing a store policy to maintain the status quo, Sammy immediately responds, but is left to contemplate his impulsive

decision. In your opinion, are Sammy’s actions heroic or foolish? Why?

Discussion Board Question for “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”
How would you characterize Connie? Do you think the early characterization of Connie prepares us for her later behavior? Why or why not?