In “Where are you going, where have you been?” by Joyce Carol Oates, the theme of this story can be closely related to that of the true story of Charles Schmid, the Pied Piper of Tucson. The inspiration for Oates can be seen not just in the actions of Schmid, but also the motivation behind his actions. The development of Oates’ story is driven by the same emotion that drove Charles Schmid. The guile that Schmid had to lure women for his murders, is the same feeling that is present in the words of Oates. This is the driving passion behind her words and the plot of her story. Oates also uses this story as a metaphor to describe a transition in life that is only learned through an individual’s life experience.

Schmid, a “naturally handsome man” (DailyNews) took advantage of his ability to coax younger women in order to feed his wretched passion for murder. His swagger was compelling but was far from innocent. Don Moser, a man who wrote a book on Schmid’s case, noticed how “despite his creepiness, ladies loved Schmid” (DailyNews) and he gave Schmid the title “The Pied Piper of Tucson” (DailyNews). This con-man style of living is what Oates used to drive the story of “where are you going where have you been”. Her character, Arnold Friend, carried himself in a way that Schmid would have approved of. Friend’s arcane personality is used to lure the reader the same way Schmid lured his victims. Oates uses this charisma in her character in such a way that leaves the reader feeling like they want to read more and see what Friend will do next. Captivating this persona is what made Oates’ story so intriguing. Oates’ saw created a character that was an example of a culture that many people were unsure of. She essentially created Arnold to have evil tendencies that were somehow irresistible. It is clear that when Arnold shows up to the home of Connie on Sunday night unannounced he was not a man who respected another individual’s boundaries (Oates 2). In this scene Oates makes it clear that Connie wants nothing to do with Arnold initially by saying Connie “spoke sullenly, careful to show interest of pleasure” (Oates 2). Ironically the reader does not know that Connie will eventually go with Arnold based on nothing other than his persistence to have her join him. 

What Oates shows us through her character Connie is an individual who does not see the greater picture of life. Connie lives in the present throughout the entire story. There is no evaluation in her mind of planning for her future, nor is there an aspect of evaluation from her past to help shape her future. This is ironic because the title of this short story depicts everything but the present. “Where are you going…” is a clear question as to what will the future hold for you, while “where have you been?” is clearly leading you to wonder what Connie has been through. In Michele D. Theriot’s analysis of this short story, she says, “The reader can discern that perhaps the story will reveal a journey from past to future for this person who is named Connie” (Theriot 1). This sense eternally present lifestyle of Connie is what pulls the reader in. Connie’s inability to see future repercussions for her present actions is something people can relate to as a young individual. She does not worry about her future when associating with this man Arnold who shows up at strange times and tries to win her over with quick witted remarks and vague intentions. This is the same mindset of the young women who Schmid so easily persuaded he meant no harm.

Schmid’s actions where not the only factor that Oates used to develop her story. The reasoning behind Schmid’s actions are equally as vital to what made Oates’ character so captivating. In his first murder, “on May 31, during a beer binge with his gal and another buddy, John Sanders, smitty blurted out: ‘I want to kill a girl’” (DailyNews). He proceeded to lure a 15-year-old girl out of her home by telling her they were going to a party with the help of his girlfriend. Instead, they took 15-year-old Alleen Rowe to the middle of the desert and killed her (DailyNews). This shows the type of man that Schmid truly was. He had a volatile personality that could lead to a murderous action at any moment. He was the type of man to do anything, at any given moment. Oates uses this to her advantage. She creates Arnold Friend in a way that makes the reader believe he is capable of anything at any moment of the story. Early on in her story, the first time the protagonist Connie sees Arnold, “He wagged a finger and laughed and said, “Gonna get you baby” (Oates 1). This is the first taste the reader gets of Friend’s personality but it captivates who he is perfectly. His first words are a promise to Connie that he will get her. She is obviously spooked by this by when she sees him outside her home later in the story, it only proves Schmid to be a man of his word.

Charles Schmid was born in a time period that was a transitioning period for America as a whole. Coming off World War II a feeling of optimism was backed up by the baby boomer generation and an even more booming economy. To everyone else this was a time to make something of yourself and provide to the benefit of society. The DailyNews reported that despite being out of high school for years, Schmid never got a job and lived on handouts from his parents. This further backs an idea of self-entitlement that Schmid had. He believed that he could do whatever he wanted and should be given everything he desired. This is closely related to his actions that resulted in taking the lives of innocent women for his personal pleasure. The theme of Oates’ story is closely related to this idea of selfishness. Oates’ first description of Connie immediately leaves the reader feeling as though she is self-centered and naïve to the world around her. Her mother often catches Connie staring at herself in the mirror where she tells her to “stop gawking at yourself” (Oates 1). This is important an example of Connie’s way of always living in the present and being only concerned with how she looks and is viewed now. This mindset eventually spills over into her actions and choices regarding Arnold. She does not see what the future may be in regards to what Arnold may do to her. While Oates does not directly tell us, it is safe to assume that Arnold forces himself upon her and eventually kills her. This is closely related back to the mindset of those girls who fell victim to the actions of Schmid the same way Connie did to Arnold.

Oates’ used the historical story of the “Pied Piper of Tucson” not just to create a character and story, but to help show a culture and lifestyle of many individuals. She used the conning ability that Schmid possessed to help drive her story and metaphorically give a lesson of life in regards to actions and consequences. 
