To elaborate, in the movie when
Connie comes back after leaving with Arnold Friend there are many differences in the house and Connie's appearance (Chopra). In the short story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been “ Arnold Friend says, “that's good girl. Now, you come outside”(Oates). It can be inferred
that Connie ends up leaving with Arnold Friend, but it is the responsibility of the reader to conclude what happens after Connie leaves with Arnold Friend. Both endings allow the reader and viewer an opportunity to interpret an ending which has transpired through their own
interpretation of the text as well as the movie.
As a result, Oates' short story of Chopra's adaptation of Smooth Talk are very different.
The short story builds excitement and fear of the unknown which leaves readers to wonder after the story has concluded. The short story, to reiterate, also lacks an explanation of Connie’s lifestyle. The movie, however, seems to fall short in this build up of emotion and suspense but
elaborates more on the lifestyle Connie leads and the turmoil that has conspired between Connie and her mom.
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