The characterization of Connie in the short story “Where Are You Going?” Where Have You Been?" affects the theme of who is responsible for the kidnapping by portraying Connie as a pretty girl who withdraws into herself, a childish teenager who can't decide who to be, and a reluctant girl who ignores her mother This characterization makes Connie seem immature. When Arnold sees Connie, Connie's ignorance and immaturity gives Arnold Friend the perfect opening to kidnap Connie is a pretty girl who realizes his attractiveness. ends up getting her in trouble with a guy named Arnold Early in the story, Oates says she had a "habit of craning her neck to look in mirrors or checking other people's faces to make sure." that hers was fine” (Oates). In the world we live in, this desperation exploits a sense of immaturity because it believes that everything revolves around whether or not a person is beautiful. Furthermore, the obsession with. Connie for herself is so tall that she knew she was pretty and that was it, which makes Connie look immature (Oa...