Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? Resources

Websites

Oates Home Page

From the University of San Francisco. Lots of good stuff here, including the full texts of some of her pieces.

"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?"

A full-text version of the story, from an authorized Joyce Carol Oates website.

Real-Life Inspiration

Oates was inspired, in part, to write this story as a result of the actual murder of teenage Alleen Rowe by Charles Schmid. You can read about Schmid here. He even stuffed his boots to make himself taller.

Documents

Background Info

In this Google Books preview, you can read Elaine Showalter's introductions to Oates's story and an essay from Oates on her story and the film, Smooth Talk.

Smooth Talk Review

The NY Times review the 1985 movie based on Oates's story.

Roger Ebert Review

Ebert's review of the movie – he gave it 3.5 stars.

"It's All Over Now, Baby Blue"

Lyric's to Bob Dylan's song, which was one of Joyce Carol Oates's inspirations for the story. (Oates dedicated the story to Dylan.)

Video

Movie Trailer

Check out the trailer for the 1985 movie adaptation, Smooth Talk.

Clip from the Movie

Watch a few scenes on YouTube.

Audio

Franz Schubert, "Der Tod und das Mädchen" ["Death and the Maiden"]

Lyrics and performance of a Schubert song based on a theme ("Death and the Maiden") that inspired the story.

Images

Death and the Maiden

A website exploring the "Death and the Maiden" theme in Renaissance art. Learn more about how this is connected to Oates's story in our discussion on "Symbolism."