What conflicts are present in Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?

The most evident conflict in the Oates short story exists
between Arnold Friend and Connie.  This does not start out as conflict.  Rather, it is
one where her desire for attention and notoriety has been reciprocated by Arnold.  The
conflict emerges when Arnold becomes so emboldened with his advance towards Connie.  His
desire to have her come with him and, eventually, kidnapping her becomes the basis of
the conflict.  He uses psychological and physical manipulation in his attempt.  From
this, Connie recognizes that she does not want to go with him, but also grasps that she
has little choice, as Arnold Friend threatens her family and leaves her with little
choice.  Arnold demonstrates some slight conflict internally between his age and his
desire to appear young, allowing him to get close enough to lure girls like Connie. 
This conflict comes out in different points, such as when he speaks in different
vernaculars of youth, but overall, he has little problem in being the person who stalks
and victimizes Connie.

This development of Connie's
character as one who cares for her family is one that is not present at the start of the
story.  Connie is first shown to be in conflict with her parents and her sister.  Connie
seems them as too traditional and unable to fully understand her own predicament and her
need to be independent from them.  Connie's conflict with her sister is that she is too
"plain," and unable to grasp the need to be "hip" and popular.  In the end, Connie's
conflicts at the start of the story vastly contrast with her conflicts at the end of
it.