Each generation has something that ultimately defines it. The 40's had WWII, the 50's had the establishment of the American Dream, and the sixties had a little bit of everything. Vietnam was a huge controversy, Civil rights being fought for, and a blooming music scene were all taking root and creating a very interesting time in history. Authors and writers in turn had plenty to write and a lot of content started to show up.  The sixties were a huge turning point in the world. The music that was being produced, the rise of counter culture, Vietnam, and so much more made those ten years a pivotal moment in history. It was a time when a lot of new ideas started to surface and be voiced. In all actuality, it is almost contradictory to call it a peaceful time with loads of hippies and "good vibes" because it was dominated by an atmosphere of war, assassinations, and suffering. It was an interesting time to grow up in as well, with there being a sort of difference between the youth, and authority. The sixties brought on a lot of new things and experiences which in turn made some crazy things go on. Carol Joyce Oates wrote a short story, "Where are you going where have you been?" is loosely based off of serial killer Charles Schmid whom she heard about after reading an article in Time. The story is not just tying to model it's plot after a serial killer in Arizona, it does nicely to warn, and essentially shock readers into seeing the dangers of the world. Elements and ideas of the sixties such as, Vietnam, the sexual revolution, civil rights, and the hippie movement created new angles to view things and this is done in Oates' story.

The time was essentially a melting pot of events happenening or something new coming about. The muscic scene of the time was particularly important because  the songs and albums coming out promoted peace, togetherness, and the whole hippie lifestyle associated with the time period. Artists like Bob Dylan strted to write songs about the time's social injustices and these ultimately lead to a time of new ideas. Along with these advancements in music came a new culture to listen to it. People were certainly started to flirt with concepts of drug use, sex, and a general sense of rebellion was somewhat in the air. Vietnam was another huge part of the decade ans a whole lot of mess came along with that issue. The country, at the time, was seemingly split into two. Many protests came about and the public opinion at the time was not too supportive of the war. This split was quite evident because the two hd vastly contrasting opinions. This in turn created a very diverse field of thoughts and ideas flowing because there were many different views about issues of the time. Connie, a character in Oates' "Where are you Going,  Where have you Been?" does a good job to exemplify qualities found in the sixties. Connie is a fifteen year old girl who is described as very pretty, so much so she thinks her own Mother is jealous from all the scoldings she receives. Connie thinks she has it all figured out, as most fifteen year olds do, and is essentially ready to conquer the world. This is a recurring theme out in the world and a rather new one. Connie also exemplifies the sexual revolution going on, because often times in the story she is described going behind behind her parent's backs and sneaking off to a drive in to hang out with the older crowd. The sixties can be seen influencing Oates' story because it is almost written as a warning about what can go wrong in the new world.

What is wrong in this new day and age is exemplified by the character, Arnold Friend. Friend is a short but muscular guy, described as being relatively good looking but much older than Connie. He has a really dumpy car, and he is accompanied by his friend Ellie who is basically described as being on dope the whole time. Arnold friend is mentioned earlier on in the story as creepily waving to Connie saying, "Gonna get you babe."  The character for Arnold Friend is loosely based off of Charles Schmid, a serial killer from Tucson known also as, The Pied Piper of Tuscon. Schmid was about the same height as Arnold Friend and shares a lot of similar quirks, such as stuffing his shoes with beer cans to appear taller. Schmid was described as a likeable guy who seemed to be very insecure about himself as he frequently wore makeup and stuffed his shoes with items to appear taller. Schmid was a kind of cult leader alomost for the disenfranchised youth of Tucson. He drank a lot and did drugs, embodying that sect of the time period. Arnold Friend can certainly be seen as being influenced by the time period. On his car was written, "Man the flying saucers." This was a reference to Bob Dylan as this slogan was said to promote a sort of change or else people would man the flying saucers, and leave. This being painted on his car creates a creepy sort of feel, as if Arnold is influenced by the time period, but in the wrong way. The wrong way being that he ultimately abducts and does whatever messed up stuff he had planned like Charles Schmid often did. Oates uses Friend in this story almost as a warning to suburban families who may not think this stuff can happen to them. Much like Schmid, Arnold Friend is stalking and preying on the teenage girls of the area. 

The sisxties were a very important time in history because of the amount of totally new ideas that started coming forth. New music stemmed new ideas and evn lifestyles with the messages they were promoting. Also with things like Vietnam and the Civil rights movement in full swing, America was essentially split into two. These attitudes can easily be Seen in Oates' piece through the characterization of connie and Arnold Friend. 
