A Devilish Predator in Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? by Arnold Friend

In where are you going, where have you been the major conflict is the lack of self-confidence and immaturity of Connie. From that, the complication of being stalked by Arnold arises. The author does not just tell us Connie is a naive girl but discusses her actions and lack of actions leading us to believe so. Because of that, by the time the complication start taking shape, the reader can almost guess what would be next, that is Arnold is one of the boys that are Connie’s age. Knowing a lot about Connie by now, we will guess after being reluctant for a while she will take off with him like she has done before so many times, there how ever is a surprise waiting. Once we start following the dialogue between Connie and Arnold and know more about his awkward looks and language we start understanding the symbolism Oates has been using. He is the prince of darkness and he is there to take Connie to her final destiny, the land of the dead. Talking about the old woman down the street who was also murdered he is

In “Where are You Going, Where Have you Been?” Joyce Carol Oates uses an allegorical figure of evil to illustrate the theme of temptation. Oates alludes to hell through the character Arnold Friend, as the devil, and his victim Connie, who invites him in by committing the sin of vanity.

Starting with “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been,” Connie is viewed by the readers as being in this dreamlike state, which is simply used as a nightmare to show Connie the reality of her life when girls decide they want to grow up too fast. Hence, the entire experience with Arnold Friend was just Connie’s subconscious demonstrating to her what her “big girl” attitude and behavior could result in, and how it could change her life. Furthermore, with the story not having a definitive ending, it also shows that this is not reality for Connie, but just a pure glimpse of her path and future. Similarly, in “Young Goodman Brown,” Brown is also dreaming of his “what if” future. Throughout the story, people are magically appearing and disappearing. For example, when Brown talks about seeing Goody Cloyse. The story gives no indication that she acknowledges him being in the forest, yet they have known each other since he was a boy. As soon as the devil

The short story “Where are you going, Where have you been” by Joyce Carol Oates was published in 1966. The story was purposely written for Bob Dylan, who’s song “It’s all over now, Baby Blue” had a great influence on the story. story Oates gives us many descriptions of the characters to give the reader a better understanding of what the character is feeling, thinking, and shows their personalities through their actions. The story also includes many signs and a great deal of symbolism. In this analysis, I will explore is Arnold friend representing an evil entity or is he simply genuinely trying to be Connie’s friend. A character by the name of Arnold Friend could potentially be a symbol of a demonic force, or even the devil.

In the short fiction Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? tells a story about a young 15-year-old girl named, Connie. Connie spends her time meeting boys, lounging around the house and going out with her friends. One night an unusual man makes a threatening gesture to her in the parking lot of a local drive-in restaurant. Until, one day the unusual man pulls up in her driveway in a gold colored car. The man introduces himself as Arnold Friend and asks Connie to join him for a ride. During their conversation, Connie is aware that Arnold is dangerous; his language becomes more sexual and violent, and he warns her that he will hurt her family if she calls the police. In the end, she leaves the house and joins Arnold. Connie is stuck between the lines of her sexual daydreams and reality up until she is entangled among by Arnold Friend and his infatuating music playing in his car. Everything about her had two aspects to it, one when she was at home and one for anywhere but home.

Not everybody is who they seem to be. Be careful about what you wish for, because it just might come true. In Joyce Carol Oates’ “short story” “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”, a fifteen year old girl named Connie comes face-to-face with a man named Arnold Friend. Oates successfully portrays the similarities between Arnold Friend and the Devil through plot, setting, and characterization.

There are many notorious characters in literature, all with their own menacing qualities and depraved actions. None, however, have struck such a devastatingly creepy chord as Arnold Friend of Joyce Carol Oates "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" Seducer of young girls and embodiment of Lucifer, Arnold Friend is anything but a friend. Arnold Friend is presented through both actions and appearances, and these combine to diminish his likeability, while adding to his devilish persona. Although Arnold Friend's traits are never stated outright, they are presented through his speech and interaction with other characters, which ultimately creates a more impacting effect and lasting impression.

Initially, when Connie sees Arnold’s car on the street, she’s excited, she wants to meet whoever is driving, even carefully flirting with him in the beginning. However, as she talks with him, she slowly realizes he’s not the “cool guy” she first thought he was. Some details about him, from his hair to his shoes and his way of talking, seem oddly displaced, she tries to evaluate him “but all these things [don’t] come together.” (325) Despite her awareness of the danger awakening, it is too late; Arnold’s deceiving appearance induced a false sense of safety long enough for him to have power over her. Even more, the mere name of Arnold is misleading, the irony between “Friend” and his horrible behaviour taking all its meaning at the end of the story. As Arnold true personality and the danger he represents are revealed, the deceiving nature of his appearance is

“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been” is a popular short story written by Joyce Carol Oates, a well-known American writer born in 1938 who is well-known for her literary works in various genres (“Joyce Carol Oates”). In her short story, Oates depicts Connie, a self-centered teenager, being pursued by a mysterious and potentially dangerous individual who claims to be named Arnold Friend. At the end of the work, Arnold finally convinces Connie to allow herself to be abducted by him and his friend which could lead to Connie’s death. Throughout Oates’ piece, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been,” hidden intent is continually observed, resulting from the mentions of Arnold Friend’s mirrored sunglasses and his mask-like makeup, which both symbolize masks.

Most of us have heard of the famous story by Oates called ‘Where Are You Going, Where Have You been’, featuring the infamous Arnold Friend and plenty of adult themes. So many possible theories stem from just one character from a short story whether he could perhaps be death, or the devil in disguise coming to take Connie away; or perhaps just a mental creepy man coming to kidnap and rape Connie. So many things that Arnold Friend tells little vain Connie can be interpreted in either direction, it is all in how you look at it.

He is always looking for his next meal. When he initially sees Connie, he perceives the way she acts as an invitation to claim her. Arnold, then, arrives at her house days later to claim his prize. When he first pulls up to Connie’s home, she is initially excited because a boy was coming over. Her first instinct to check on her appearance. Connie then notices that it is not the person she was hoping to see. Arnold comes rolling up with in “an open jalopy, painted bright gold that caught the sunlight opaquely” (161). On the side had the out dated phrase “MAN THE FLYING SAUCERS” (164). This car is a symbol. It’s an extension of Arnold: dangerous and not quite in touch with reality. The car is what clued Connie into see that something may be seriously wrong with Arnold. The phrase that was painted on car was used the year before it went out of style. That alarms Connie more that Arnold is not who he says he is. Arnold’s appearance alerts Connie that he is not to be trusted. Arnold wears shoes that looks like it too big for his feet to make him appear taller. Friend claims to be the same age as Connie, but he is not very convincing. The whole encounter revolves around Connie’s home. The house itself is a symbol. Connie starts out on the porch and the quickly retreats to the door of her home when Friend becomes progressively antagonistic. The home represents the only world she has ever known, one with friends, family, and traditions. The home,

“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been”, was published by Joyce Carol Oates. She was born on June 16th, 1938 in Lockport, New York. As an American writer, Oates published over 40 novels, as well as a number of plays, short stories, poetry, and nonfiction. Out of her works, one of her publications consisted of the short story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been”. This particular story was about a teenage girl, named Connie, who encounters an unknown, demonic “stranger” (Arnold Friend). Throughout the story, Arnold Friend caused much awkwardness and puzzlement, by his demanding actions and odd, but true knowledge. It had became apparent that he wanted more than a friendship with Connie, and never took rejection as an answer. Within

The story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been” is essentially about a young woman’s strive for independence, which eventually leads to conflict. Oates portrays a social issue that relates to today’s society by using symbolism and characterization. She takes you on a journey throughout a teenagers life, tells about her thoughts and feelings while also relating to naïve girls today. Connie is a symbol of young girls who try to rush and grow up too fast. The ones who want to be popular with all the boys.

In Where Have You Been, Where Are You Going? written by Joyce Oates, Arnold Friend plays a significant role in the short story by posing as the antagonist. The setting of the story takes place in the 1970’s when the Sexual Revolution begins and teenagers begin to rebel against their parents, and Arnold is a valid comparison to temptation arising with teenagers during this time period as he tempts Connie. Throughout the short story, many characteristics of Arnold Friend, his way of style, and car imply that he symbolizes the devil and temptation, and Oates shows similar qualities and characteristics through Arnold Friend and Charles Schmid, the serial killer that was the inspiration behind the character.

Joyce Carol Oates, author of the fictional short story, "where are you going, where have you been?" Emphasizes a taunting tone to convey Connie 's restrained reaction towards Arnold Friend 's presence. The film “Smooth Talk” portrays the visual imagery in the short story “where are you going?, where have you been?”helps the audience understand each character 's personality in the movie. Oates purpose was to make the audience view connie’s personality as a eager fifteen year old girl back in 80’s, who wasn’t really intelligent. Connie’s parent didn’t really care about her, so that also has an influence on her attitude in how she acts around boys. Oates portrays Connie mother as a mean and wicked mother who puts her daughter down. Connie’s sister June was viewed as the favorite child who was always compared to Connie. Oates made Connie’s friends as sneaky, and rebellious just as Connie was. Arnold friend’s character is as usual weird personality. Which made Connie uneasy when Arnold started talking to her.