Re: JCO: Where Are You Going and Vietnam

Hi William (or is it James?)
This is an interesting theseis/hypothesis ....

However, who is to say that it is "Oates' political agenda" per se ...
rather than that all good literature can be read with multiple levels
of understanding ........ and of course, reading your thesis has
expanded my appreciation of the work ..... as does virtually all that
I read of others' interpretations ... whatever view they may take.

I don't see Oates as a "political" writer with a political ideology (or
that she would write something to reflect Dylan's ideology).... unless
one views the "personal as political"

I see her as a collector of and speaker of all the many rich and
diverse stories of "America" ..... which I believe is her gift and her
talent and , perhaps her intent. She has certainly spoken of this in
her work.

I'd love to hear others' comments on your paper. Thank you for offering
it to us all.

in peace,
ruth

PS.
I'd be interested in what your relationship to the Vietnam War is ...
mainly, that is, how old are you? ..... (only if you wish to share
that, of course)

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Re: JCO: Where Are You Going and Vietnam

Hi William,

I also read the story a year ago and your point of view is really interesting and different. We analyzed the story only focusing on the social, superficial side of the characters. Connie simbolized a lost youth, one that based emotions and decisions upon songs and moments. Connie wanted to live once and for all, but she was naive enough to think that she could control those experiences, and she was proved wrong when she couldn't escape Arnold Friend. Arnold Friend represented a non-human force, kind of a demon, that symbolized all the things you cannot escape from. After reading your essay, and even afer noticing these major diferences in interpretations, both views have the same approach. Connie is helpless and Arnold Friend takes advantage of this. This sound familiar to you? Although I have to say that your thesis do sound a little like an X-files episode. I still enjoyed it.

Au revoir.

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