Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Arnold Friend Character Analysis

A door to the beginning of her outcome is all that divides Connie in, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” from Arnold Friend, the devilish predator. Symbolism takes a big part in this story that gives a deeper meaning to Connie’s choices that ultimately extent to giving herself to Arnold. The author, Joyce Carol Oates in the short story, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” represents Arnold Friend as the real world by being challenging and malicious, and Connie as the innocent world by being defenseless and naive.

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.

A psychological thriller that keeps its reader’s on edge, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” intoxicates the reader with spine chilling description’s of Arnold Friends character. This passage from the work is our first introduction to Arnold Friend, and a foreshadowing of what is to come. Joyce Carol Oates, the author of “Where Are You Going, Where have You Been?”, does an impeccable job at using this passage to draw the reader in and give underlying clues as to what we think might happen in this story. It is not till after re-reading this short story that one can realize the significance of these three sentences.

Based on the actions and appearance of Arnold Friend, he is the devil. Arnold portrays the devil in many ways. The author of “Where are You Going, Where Have You Been”; Joyce Carol Oates, shows Arnold by his strange appearances, supernatural abilities, speech, odd symbols, and clues that state that he is the devil. When Connie first sees Arnold from the distance he thinks that he looks young and around her age, but later on in the story when she sees him up close she could tell he was a older man that was just attempting to make himself appear younger than he really is. Arnold Friend could be seen as a devil- like figure through his appearance. The idea of him being devil- like because of the temptation element. In looking to attract another, the

In the story, Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?, Arnold Friend brings along his friend, Ellie Oscar, to come to get Connie from her home for a "car ride." The two drive to her home and pulled into her driveway as if they are her friends just stopping by together. His role in the story is he is a casual friend of Arnold and possibly his accomplish in his plot to get Connie to himself. He casually sits there with his radio and doesn't ever directly acknowledge Connie but shows he is observing the actions done by Arnold as normal and practically gives approval. I feel that Arnold may have brought him along simply because he felt that if it was going to be a hassle to get Connie he may have needed back up indoor for it to happen as smoothly

Within Joyce Carol Oate’s story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” there is a sinister character named Arnold Friend. Arnold Friend could indeed be a human, but there are a number of theories to what he actually is. Many people think he could be a demon, devil, or a satyr. However, one particular theory discussed in Professor Landis’s Literary Analysis class is that he is in fact a vampire. A vampire is said to be “a mythical being who subsists by feeding on the life essence (generally in the form of blood) of living creatures”(Vampire). Many of Arnold Friend’s characteristics could prove this theory to be true. He has a very unique wardrobe, and a menacing personality; he is eventually able to lure the main character, Connie, out of her house. Oates could have been inspired to have him represent a vampire because of myths she may have read or heard about.

Arnold took advantage of Connie’s vulnerability. For once, Connie was compared to June without being second best. He praised her beauty with compliments for example calling her “a pretty girl ‘’ (292) something her mother had never done and he told Connie that she was “the one’’ (297). Unlike her father, Arnold admitted he took “a special interest ‘’ (292) in her. He took the time to investigate all about her (292). Arnold gave Connie compliments, promises of affection, and attention, things she was not used to. Arnold reminds Connie that her family never showed interest in her, he reminded her that they knew anything about her, and reassured her that she was better than them. (300). Connie then made the absurd decision to get in the car with a man who proved to me dangerous and a possible psychopath.

Throughout the novel the use of rhetorical devices seems prevalent as Joyce Carol Oates utilizes it to convey a meaning. Her use of stylistic devices enhances and provokes the reader’s understanding of the unique piece of writing. A rhetorical device that is used consistently throughout Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? is irony. Arnold’s last name is ironic since he resembles the exact opposite. When Arnold introduces himself to Connie he states,“I’m Arnold Friend…

The picture employed by the author effectively captures the essence of teenage vulnerability in the situation. This detailed description enhances the reader’s understanding of Connie’s emotions and the atmosphere surrounding her. In addition, when describing Arnold Friend’s appearance, Oates writes, “Connie looked away from his smile to the car, which was painted so bright it almost hurt her eyes to look at it” which emphasizes the unsettling and overpowering character of Arnold Friend's presence (para 70). This piece of vivid imagery creates a sense of unease, further illustrating the defenselessness of Connie. The contrast between the bright, almost painful car paint and Arnold’s smile generates tension, hinting at future events later in the

“I am good, but not an angel. I do sin, but I am not the devil. I am just a small girl in a big world trying to find someone to love” (Marilyn Monroe). Joyce Carol Oates is the author of the realistic allegory story, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”. The story is about a young girl named Connie, who likes seeking attention from men, as a distraction from her problems at home. She meets a man named Arnold Friend, he goes after Connie, claiming he has to take her for a ride, but it is obvious he wants to do other things. Because of this character’s actions, it is determined that he is a representation of the devil. Through plot, characterization, and dialogue, Oates successfully portrays Arnold Friend as a symbolic Satan.

Imagine yourself on a nice, sunny day. You are sitting outside in a lawn chair waiting for you hair to dry when suddenly, a boy comes to ask you to take you out. Joyce Carol Oates presents this image in “Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been?” Not only is this a famous short story, it also presents symbols, motifs, and themes that people who read the story can relate to. Oates shows teenage rebellion and bliss in her short story. The title can provide significance with the relationship between Connie and Arnold Friend. Oates provides themes in the story that makes the reader wonder where Connie is going with her life including her independence, her maturity, and her world that’s fantasy against reality.

Where there is desire, there is hope, despair, and struggle. Joyce Carol Oates illustrates animatedly the asphyxiated struggle of desire in her short story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” The story narrates the life of a young girl, named Connie, and her fated and enigmatic confrontation with a strange man. Feeling trapped in her own home with her own family, Connie, a self-conscious and rebellious teenager, tries to figure out a way to identify herself with the world around her. Her desire of escaping the reality fuels her struggle to enter adulthood. Through the physical form of Arnold Friend, who embodies both the hope and the despair in Connie’s struggle, the author metaphorically portrays a vigorous and psychological pressure that Connie has to endure. The story is scripted to allude to the danger of identifying oneself through sexuality in young girls. To better understanding this cryptic story, it is important to follow the psychological processes and conflict of Connie’s character, which help unveil the allegorical meaning of a young girl’s rite of passage through sex.

“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” a short story written by Joyce Carol Oates, revolves around two main characters — Connie and Arnold Friend. Connie is a 15 year old girl, the protagonist in the story, who disrespects her family, and tries to act more mature than she actually is. Arnold Friend is the mysterious “villain” figure in the story that places Connie in an unpleasant situation that causes her to question the extent of her maturity. Throughout the short story Arnold pushes Connie’s comfort level, and tries to get her to be adventurous by getting in his car for a ride; however, Connie realizes that she cannot get out of this troubling situation on her own. Even though the characters’ overall personas are different, they both show arrogant tendencies, which serve as both of their greatest weaknesses in the short story.

Joyce Carol Oates plays upon the stereotypic female gender role through her adolescent character, Connie, in “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” The story was written at a significant time in America’s history. It was a season when social and moral conventions were challenged. This period experienced the rise of women struggling for sexual freedom and gender equality in a patriarchal society. Oates portrays the protagonist, Connie, as naive, unaware and inexperienced; she has yet to find her identity and fully understand her place as a women in the world. She believes she has learned to play the game of the sexes and that she has the upper hand. This belief, though, is quickly subverted when she is confronted by Arnold Friend, a man who works to reinforce patriarchal standards by punishing Connie for acting outside stereotypic female role boundaries, she then realizes as a women, she has very little power.

Joyce Carol Oates explores the character of Connie, an average, self-centered teenager. Oates gives readers insight into the mind of Connie and how she feels toward the antagonist, Arnold Friend. Connie has issues with her self esteem and her relationships, but she begins to have a much bigger problem when deciding if she should go with the stranger. She knows it’s wrong, but something about it appeals to her. In comparison, Ursula Le Guin’s The