Final answer:
In Joyce Carol Oates' 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?', ambiguous comments foreshadow a dark and complex ending, hinting at the significance of Arnold's words as an omen for Connie's menacing encounter with him. The technique of foreshadowing keeps readers engaged, hinting at sinister developments, and ultimately conveys a narrative filled with tension and uncertainty.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the beginning of Joyce Carol Oates' short story Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?, the ambiguous comments such as “the words meant something to her that she did not yet know,” foreshadow the unsettling and possibly dangerous nature of Arnold and Connie’s confrontation, and more broadly, the story's conclusion. These early hints suggest that there is more beneath the surface of the characters' interactions, indicating a deeper, possibly sinister meaning to Arnold's words. This initial ambiguity sets the tone for the narrative, leading readers to understand that Connie will undergo a significant and potentially threatening experience that she is presently unaware of or doesn't fully grasp.
The foreshadowing technique used by Oates is effective in creating a sense of impending doom and a narrative tension that builds as the story progresses. The use of ambiguity in the dialogue not only captures the reader's interest but also serves as a warning sign for the darker elements that will unfold.
The unsettling end of the story is preceded by various clues, such as the enigmatic nature of Arnold's appearance and mannerisms and the careful construction of Connie's character as someone on the cusp of innocence and awareness. Throughout the story, the language and interactions between characters create a blurring effect between what seems real and what is not, leading to the climax where the full impact of the foreshadowing is felt.