Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been?

Task 1
I would have to say that the setting in the second half of the story is important because definetly creates a feeling of darkness and presents an ominous shade over the remainder of the story. In a way, this foreshadows the ending of the story because we're left wondering what happened to the girl, which if often times what happens in the dark; wondering where your next step will take you.
The description of Connie's character draws the reader in because she is someone that we all talk about and how we have no desires to become that, but secretly, and deep down, most of us want the beauty and simple advantages she has in life. What bugs me so much is her innocence and how she manipulates her mother for the early parts of the story with it. I think that she is a perfect metaphor for how disgusting most celebrities are in real life. They are so used to having everything done for them and it gives them the mind set that they're more important than the rest of us.
I think the author addresses the main conflict we all have with ourselves at one point or another in our lives. Every single on of use desires an affluent lifestyle without ever realizing what we have and how easily we're willing to sacrifice it all just have to wealth.
I think that this story appeals to so many different people is because it is different from anything else. Espicially the ending because it is a giant cliff hanger.
I believe that in the end, her innocence got the better of her and she was raped, and then murdered, much like what everyone else thinks.
I think that the male character in this story represents what becomes of us after we go through a sort of 'change' in lifestyles from a regular person to a celebrity figure. If you see, Connie is very hesitant at first, but she slowly begins to accept her fate, and in the end it is ultimatley her demise.

Task 2
1. Quick
2. Great theme
3. Metaphorical
4. Mysteries
5. Few characters
6. Vivid setting
7. Structured plot
8. A couple conflicts (inner and outer)
9. Narrator style
10. Smashing ending