Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?

Set in the 1960s American suburbs, a time of growing teen culture, evolving gender norms, and limited avenues for female autonomy. The era’s social expectations shape Connie’s longing for independence and the protective, tense dynamics with her mother. The lack of instant communication amplifies the isolation she feels when danger arrives.

The story mostly unfolds around Connie's family home and its immediate surroundings, including the driveway and a later Sunday barbecue. It also situates her in familiar teen spaces like the mall and a drive-in restaurant where she first encounters Arnold. These locations juxtapose safety and vulnerability, highlighting how ordinary, everyday places become stages for tension and intrusion.

🕷️ Predation

The narrative centers on a predator who uses charm to prey on a vulnerable teenage girl. Connie’s budding sense of autonomy collides with Arnold’s coercive manipulation. Knowledge of her life and threats to her family blur the line between attraction and danger. The encounter reveals how fear can override judgment in the face of calculated intimidation.

🌱 Coming of Age

Connie’s brief moments of happiness and self-awareness symbolize the fragile process of growing up. The story contrasts her yearning for independence with the invasive pressure of an older man. This perilous moment marks a painful transition from childhood to adulthood, leaving ambiguity rather than triumph.

🗝️ Power and Coercion

Arnold weaponizes knowledge about Connie and the threat of harm to exert control. The home, meant to be a haven, becomes a site of intimidation as familial safety is leveraged against her consent. The scene scrutinizes who holds power over a teenager when adult influence is misused for manipulation.