The decisions you make throughout life can make or break you; you just have to make the right ones. In Joyce Carol Oates' story "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" », the main character is Connie. Connie had an older sister but she was nothing like her. Her older sister always pleased her mother and Connie didn't care. Connie and her friend go out and go to the mall or the movies. One day they decided that instead of going to the mall, they would go to the restaurant across the street. She met a boy named Arnold. After that night, everything started to go downhill. “Where are you going, where have you been?” » demonstrates a teenager who decided to cross the road and become a woman. Connie was tired of the life she was living and she was ready to make decisions for herself and face the consequences. She knew that if her parents found out she was going to a restaurant, she would be in trouble. Connie didn't care about the consequences of her actions. She felt like it was time to grow up and become a woman. She wanted to start experimenting with her sexuality. Connie wanted boys to start noticing her and talking to her. Connie thinks that men could be her savior by helping her free herself from the pressure and anxieties of her sister and mother. By going out alone, she realizes that she doesn't have to please anyone, only herself. When Connie and her friend went to a restaurant, she met this guy Arnold. Clearly, spending three hours with Eddie in a dark alley and having dinner wasn't the best first decision for her. It's the one decision that will change his life forever. He was probably the first guy to pay attention to Connie. So obviously she's going to imprint on him and just... middle of paper...... grow and become her own person. She made a mistake that turned into an avalanche for her. She was tired of the life she was leading and she was ready to make decisions and face the consequences. You only have one life and you determine how you are going to live that life. In life there are many ups and downs, but always be strong and you will overcome everything. Connie chose the path she was going to take. You only have on life.Works CitedCaldwell, Tracy M. “Where are you going, where have you been? » by Joyce Carol Oates?. Literary contexts in short stories: “Where are you going, where have you been?” » by Joyce Carol Oates? ' (2006): 1-8. Web. February 19, 2014. Kennedy, XJ and Dana Gioia: , discussion, an introduction to fiction, poetry, theater and writing; Boston: Pearson, 2013..