Pop Culture in "Where are you going? Where have you been?"

Essay by jeffm53High School, 10th gradeA-, March 2004

download word file, 6 pages 3.7

Downloaded 141 times

Whether it is the top movie at the box office this weekend, the song that is soaring up the Top 40 charts, the most widely read book or the highest rated television show, pop culture is always changing and influencing the targeted generation. Throughout the 50s and 60s North America went through many different changes with the introduction of a new style of music and movies, lead by Elvis Presley and his shocking dance moves. Sex appeal was becoming popular and pop culture was beginning to affect how people think on a large scale. In the short story "Where are you going, Where have you been?", written by Joyce Carol Oates, the author attempts to personify Bob Dylan and Elvis Presley as different characters in the story, Ellie and Arnold in particular. She does this to help the reader better understand her view of pop culture. The physical descriptions of Ellie and Arnold from the story are a description of how the author views Presley and Dylan and that she believes the pop culture they helped create is negative.

Throughout the 1950s Elvis Presley controlled the radio air waves with his hit songs. His dance moves were a major leap in the other direction of what was considered normal before his time. His fan base grew rapidly and many youths feel into the pop culture craze he helped start. A sharp comparison is visible between Ellie from the short story and the physical look of Presley. With his fair brown hair, the lock of hair that fell over his forehead, his distinct sideburns, and his shirt collar that was turned up all around with the very tips of the collar pointed out past his chin his description was the perfect one to fit Presley. During the 50s Presley was dedicated...