Story to use is “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates
1,000-1,250 (4-5 page)
Prompt: Write an essay examining how a text (short story or poem) of your choosing makes a statement about a social issue (class, race, gender, ageism, cultural identity). What claim does the story seem to be making? How does it use literary devices to illustrate its point? Is the text speaking to a specific audience or society? How does the text show this?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Power Dynamics of Gender in “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates
Introduction
Joyce Carol Oates’ short story, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” delves into the complex power dynamics of gender and highlights the vulnerability of young women in a patriarchal society. Through the character of Connie, the story makes a statement about the objectification and control of women, emphasizing the dangers they face. Oates effectively uses literary devices such as symbolism, characterization, and setting to illustrate these themes, while speaking to a specific audience or society with its portrayal of societal norms and expectations.
The Claim of the Story
“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” makes the claim that women, particularly young girls like Connie, are subjected to objectification and control in a society dominated by male authority figures. The story highlights the dangers that arise when women are viewed solely as objects of desire and when they are manipulated by those in positions of power. By depicting Connie’s experiences, the story sheds light on the vulnerability and powerlessness faced by young women in a patriarchal society.
Literary Devices and Illustration of the Point
Symbolism
Oates employs symbolism to enhance the narrative and reinforce its underlying themes. One notable symbol is Arnold Friend’s gold convertible, which represents temptation and danger. The car is described as “painted yellow” and “shiny,” symbolizing the allure and seduction that Connie finds irresistible. However, this attractive façade conceals the sinister intentions and power dynamics at play.
Another symbol is Connie’s obsession with her appearance and her constant checking of herself in mirrors. This symbolizes how women are conditioned to view themselves through the male gaze and how their self-worth is often tied to their physical attractiveness. Connie’s preoccupation with her reflection represents the pressure on women to conform to societal expectations and maintain a certain image.
Characterization
The characterization of Connie further illustrates the power dynamics between genders. Connie is portrayed as a typical teenage girl, exploring her sexuality and yearning for independence. However, she is also depicted as vulnerable and easily manipulated by Arnold Friend. This characterization reflects the societal norms that often victimize young women and exploit their naivety.
Arnold Friend, on the other hand, represents the predatory nature of men who exploit their power over women. He exerts control over Connie through manipulation, intimidation, and psychological tactics. His character personifies the dangers faced by young women when confronted with manipulative individuals who prey on their vulnerability.
Setting
The setting of the story plays a significant role in illustrating its point. The suburban neighborhood where Connie lives represents the seemingly safe and familiar environment that can quickly become threatening. It symbolizes how danger can lurk even in seemingly normal spaces. The isolation of Connie’s home from her neighbors signifies the isolation women may experience when confronted with dangerous situations, as they often face these challenges alone.
Audience or Society Addressed
“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” speaks to a specific audience or society by portraying the societal norms and expectations that perpetuate gender-based power dynamics. The story addresses a society that often objectifies women and places them in vulnerable positions. It serves as a cautionary tale for young women, warning them about the dangers they may encounter when navigating a world dominated by patriarchal norms.
Additionally, the story speaks to a broader audience by shedding light on the pervasive issue of gender-based violence and raising awareness about the need for societal change. It calls for empathy and understanding from society as a whole to recognize and address the power imbalances that contribute to the mistreatment of women.
Conclusion
“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” makes a powerful statement about the power dynamics of gender in a patriarchal society. Through its use of literary devices such as symbolism, characterization, and setting, the story illustrates its claim that women, particularly young girls like Connie, are subject to objectification and control. By addressing a specific audience or society, the story highlights the dangers faced by women and calls for societal change. It serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing and challenging gender-based violence and power imbalances within our communities.
