Going Places

 


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Going Places (By A.R. Barton)




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Introduction



  1. The story “Going Places” by A.R. Barton explores the dreams, ambitions, and fantasies of adolescence.
  2. It is set in a lower-middle-class neighborhood in England, where people lead simple, working-class lives.
  3. The protagonist, Sophie, is a teenage girl who constantly dreams of achieving glamour and success beyond her means.






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Sophie’s Dreams and Personality



  1. Sophie is imaginative and ambitious — she dreams of owning a boutique someday, though she lacks money or experience.
  2. She also fancies becoming a fashion designer or actress, seeking fame and admiration from others.
  3. Her imagination offers an escape from her dull surroundings, making her live in an unreal world.






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Jansie – The Realist Friend



  1. Sophie’s friend Jansie is practical and realistic. She knows they both belong to the working class.
  2. Jansie often reminds Sophie that after school, they’ll have to work in a biscuit factory to earn a living.
  3. Sophie, however, refuses to accept this harsh truth and continues to dream about a glamorous life.






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Sophie’s Family Background



  1. Sophie lives with her father, mother, little brother Derek, and elder brother Geoff. The family’s financial condition is modest.
  2. Her father is a hardworking man who enjoys football matches on television and doesn’t take Sophie’s fantasies seriously.
  3. Geoff, her elder brother, works as an apprentice mechanic. He is quiet, mature, and doesn’t talk much about his life.
  4. Sophie admires Geoff deeply and feels he lives in a world she cannot reach. She wants to be part of his adventures and freedom.






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The Imaginary Meeting with Danny Casey



  1. One day, Sophie claims that she met the famous Irish footballer Danny Casey near Roy’s shop.
  2. She tells Geoff that Danny spoke to her and even promised to meet her again the following week.
  3. Geoff doubts the story but doesn’t argue much. When their father hears about it, he laughs it off, saying Sophie's stories will cause her great trouble someday.
  4. Sophie, however, begins to believe her own story, convinced that she truly met him and that he will meet her again.






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The Meeting that Never Happened



  1. On the decided evening, Sophie goes to the canal to meet Danny Casey. The place is quiet, and she waits eagerly.
  2. As time passes, Danny never appears — yet Sophie keeps imagining his presence, replaying their supposed meeting in her mind as if it were real. 
  3. She returns home disappointed, shattered by her hollow fantasies, but continues to live in her world of fantasy, using imagination to escape her reality.






Theme and Message



  • The story presents a sharp contrast between fantasy and reality.
  • It reflects the dreams of adolescents who wish to “go places” but are restricted by their social and economic backgrounds.
  • Barton beautifully captures the inner world of a dreamer, showing how unchecked imagination can lead to heartbreak.
  • The story ends with a subtle message: it is good to dream, but one must remain grounded and practical.


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