The novel’s opening illustrates that there will be some recognition of the past and past experiences throughout the novel. Part of the novel’s title is an example of a flashback that illustrates the theme of a search for independence (Oats 7). In “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” calls for the exploration of the events of the past. A reader can derive from reading the part of the title that some events in the past will be explained. “Where have you been” creates suspense before reading the story as the reader seeks to know the implication of the title in the novel. The novel has sought to answer this question by exploring Connie’s past life. Through flashback, we get to find more about Connie’s past life and her surreptitious outings through which she meets Arnold Friend (Wegs 63). Arnold Friend is essential to the flashback in the story as he will later torment Connie and make her quest for independence seem useless. Arnold exploits Connie’s desire to abandon her childhood. Arnold subjects Connie to physical and emotional violence, and forcefully makes her transition to the adult world. Through flashback, we get to know Connie’s teenage life as she sought to get away from her parent’s influence (Holmen 54). Besides, we get to understand how her journey to independence was disturbingly hastened and unnatural.
Foreshadowing is another literary element that depicts the theme of a search for independence. A foreshadow into Connie’s life reveals her future aspirations and dreams. For example, immediately after seeing Arnold Friend, Connie shouts, “I will get you, baby” (Oates 2). This scene foreshadows Connie’s search for independence as she was then under the influence of her parents. However, she illustrates her willingness to be independent and befriend Arnold Friend despite her parents’ constant censure on the types of friends she should make. Another example of foreshadowing in the novel that illustrates the theme of a search for independence is page fourteen. Connie wakes from a nap and becomes disillusioned and temporarily disoriented. As she walks to the front door, Connie recognizes expansive pieces of sunlit land. (Oates 14). The foreshadowing indicates that Connie is presently disillusioned with her life hence her quest for independence.
“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been,” explores the theme of the search for independence through Connie’s mannerism and character. Flashback and foreshadowing are two literary elements that have been used to depict the theme. Through a flashback, we get to understand the second part of the novel’s title, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” Flashback makes the reader understand Connie’s yearn for freedom in the past and her steps to maturity. Foreshadowing explains the first part of the novel’s title, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” It describes Connie’s goal for the future and how she intends to use her independence she is looking for. Therefore, the literary elements have emphasized the theme and made it clearer.