English Literature My Perspective: Grade 10: Where Is Here

1. VOCAB
WHERE IS HERE?
BY: JOYCE CAROL OATES

2. Vocabulary Words
01
Gregarious
Temperamentally seeking and
enjoying the company of others.
Syn: Sociable, social
Ant: Unsociable, reserved
Sent: She's a gregarious man who's always
good company
03
Stoical
Determined not to complain or show your feelings,
especially when something bad happens to you or pain.
Syn: Calm, cool, dispassionate
Ant: demonstrative
Sent: Few people at the company realized
that their accountant was suffering from
terminal cancer due to her stoical nature.
02
Amiably
In a friendly manner.
Syn: Complaisant, good-natured, obliging
Ant: Unpleasant, unfriendly, disagreeable
Sent: They were chatting quite amiably on
the phone last night so I assumed
everything was okay.
04
Conservatively
Resistant to change
Syn: Modesty, plainly
Ant: Liberal, unorthodox, liberally
Sent: Sally lives conservatively, shaped by
her faith and humble roots.

3. 05
Stealthily
To do something in a secretive, cautious, and
inconspicuous manner, in order to avoid
detection or notice
Syn: Quietly, Secretly, Furtively
Ant: Openly, boldly, conspicuously
Sent: The cat moved stealthily through the tall grass,
stalking its prey with silent determination.
06
Perplexed
Full of confusion
Syn: Confused, baffled, puzzled
Ant: Clear, certain,
Sent: She furrowed her brow, looking
perplexed as she tried to solve the
complicated math problem.
Vocabulary Words
07
Multifaceted
Something that has many different aspects, features, or
components
Syn: Many-sided, complex, diverse
Ant: Single, one-dimensional, uncomplicated
Sent: Her personality is incredibly
multifaceted; she is both outgoing and
introspective, adventurous yet grounded.
08
Tactfully
In a considerate and careful way.
Syn: Diplomatically, Thoughtfully,
Considerately
Ant: Bluntly, insensitively, rudely
Sent: She tactfully avoided discussing the
sensitive topic, steering the conversation
toward safer ground.

4. About the author
Joyce Carol Oates (b. 1937)
She began writing novels at age fourteen when she received a typewriter as a gift. In 1960,
she graduated first in her class from Syracuse University. Oates, who teaches at Princeton
University, is famous for having wide-ranging interests. She has written novels, short
stories, poetry, plays, and essays in many different styles and genres. Her writing often
combines the small matters of everyday life with violence and horror

5. CHARACTERS:
1. **Connie**: A 15-year-old girl who is portrayed as superficial and
rebellious. She is the protagonist of the story.
2. **Arnold Friend**: The antagonist of the story, a mysterious and
sinister man who preys on Connie.
3. **Connie's Family**: Connie's family members are also mentioned
in the story, including her mother, father, and sister, but they play
a relatively minor role in the narrative.

6. POV:
Third Person Point of View
TIME:
SETTINGS:
One November evening in the chill, damp, deepening dusk.
In a quiet residential neighborhood.