How the Past Possesses the Present: Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?

When reading "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" by Joyce Carol Oakes, I thought it was a twisted version of Sirens trying to lure their prey to their deaths. But unlike the more than willing sailors, Connie resisted Arnold Friend because of the sense of danger. We all know the feeling: A sinking feeling in the gut. The tingle of warning in your limbs. Becoming hyper-aware of your surroundings. His "incantation" lured her out of her house, against her better judgement, which only made him seem more like a Siren. Why would anyone leave, knowing they were walking right into harm's way?

"Their song takes effect at midday, in a windless calm. The end of that song is death."

Well now, doesn't that sound familiar?

At one point or another, we have all had fight-or-flight feelings to a bad situation. For me, the sinking gut is the worst, it's a blunt reminder saying I could have been more careful and now I have limited options. How do I get in such a predicament? Why didn't I learn my lesson before? Granted, I have never had a creeper outside of my house trying to kidnap me (or worse), but I have been scared.

I don't know how many times I've heard the line "you're only human" as a justification for mistakes. True, but wouldn't life be a bit easier if we learned from our mistakes? We homo sapiens seem to get lured into danger time and again because "we're only human". It is a state of being for us. Being tempted into situations is par for the course, and being lured away from the straight and narrow is a tale as old as time. Psyche peeking at Eros, Bluebeard's bride unlocking the door, Pandora and the box, Eve and the Tree of Knowledge, Icarus flying too close to the sun.... They were ALL given instructions, they knew better, and they did the exact opposite anyway! Few of these stories have completely happy endings, if at all. I bet if they knew the consequences, they would think twice about going against the directions, but the lure of breaking the rules is just too great. The call of disobedience and danger is too appealing. Lucifer was thrown from Heaven for going against God. The threat of Hell wasn't enough to deter him.

What is with us? This pattern is eternal. Why? Because we just can't help ourselves. The idea of going against what we're told is enticing, going against what we know to be safe? Some people like that. Connie, though she knew it was hazardous, left her house. Throughout time this has replayed over and over again. Same song, different verse.

Along with that, is the motif of "if I can't lure you away, I'll make you". Persephone and Hades, Zeus with, well, everyone, or Idun and Loki. This is where the terror comes in. The thought of being forcefully taken is one of a woman's worst nightmares. Connie is tempted and taken by "an old fiend", a satyr in disguise. He has this persona of nonchalance and charisma, but deep down he is one wrong answer away from snapping. He ripples while talking to Connie, trying hard to keep up the facade but failing at times and giving her cause for alarm. How many times has the wolf tried to fool the sheep?

The past possesses the present in so many ways. The elements of fate, temptation, disobedience, and force are a tale as old as time. The Sirens have songs for us all. And we must either learn to fight it or to accept the consequences of our actions.