Coming Of Age In 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been'

396 Words2 Pages
Coming of age is a process of maturation that one undergoes when the individual develops self actualization. Connie, the protagonist of Joyce Carol Oates’ short story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been,” embodies coming of age through her act of self-sacrifice, helping to depict her newly cultivated selflessness. From the pinnacle moment of the story to the denouement, Connie comes of age through the development of her selflessness, a major factor in maturation and self actualization, which in turn helps her to finally ascertain the importance of family as a result. Connie’s epiphanic moment occurs when she is given an ultimatum between either risking and endangering the lives of her mother, father, and sister or committing an act of
Open Document