Arnold Friend Essay

The Hidden Identity of Arnold Friend The world is full of people who portray themselves as someone or something else. People usually hide their identity to obtain things that they want. It is common to be fooled by someone's appearance. In Joyce Carol Oates's, "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been," Arnold Friend is an example of someone trying to trick another person into believing that he is something that he is not. In the story, a girl named Connie is confronted by a man who is trying

short story, “Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been?,” Arnold Friend does not see an issue with bothering younger girls; however, this may due to his lack of morals. Many could argue that this story was a dream or Connie got what she asked for because of her attitude. Though the ending is not told, it can be assumed that Connie may have been sexually assaulted by Arnold Friend and no one deserves to be in that situation. However, if Arnold had morals none of this would have happened. Arnold’s last

the guy whom she encountered with comes to her house. His name is Arnold Friend, who comes with his friend into her driveway. When he comes to Connie's door, she feels uncomfortable, and she threatens to call the police, but he then threatens to kill her family. She realizes

Where She Went In the short story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates, most readers would interpret that Arnold Friend is just a man trying to seduce a young girl named Connie. He sees her at a diner and ends up finding out where she lives and trying to get her to come for a ride in his car, but one could also argue that Arnold Friend possesses some supernatural powers and represents the devil. The author is trying to say that anyone can fall down the path of sin and

her until Connie wished her mother was dead and she herself was dead and it was all over." The story is also dedicated to Bob Dylan, who bares a striking resemblance to the antagonist Arnold Friend. However, in interviews, Oates simply said that Dylan’s song “It’s all over

“Where are you Going, Where Have You been?” (The Mind of a Serial Killer) The short story, “Where are you Going, Where Have You been?” by Joyce Carol Oates the story of man, Arnold Friend, who preys on young girls. The story is based on the real life serial killer, Charles Schmid, of Tuscon, Arizona. Oates' story describes how Friend stalked a 15 year old girl name Connie. He learned a great deal about her, presumably from following, eavesdropping, and talking to people who knew her. When he was sure

Who is Arnold Friend? Joyce Carol Oates was born June 16, 1938 in Lockport New York. At a young age Oates started writing. Scenes from her early environment are frequently used as settings in her stories. In her elementary years she wrote stories and “constructed 200 page books, which she designed and bound herself” (Helterman and Layman 371). The lack of information provided about her early years and her making large books at a young age is a good indication that she was an outcast and had a troubled

When Arnold Friend walked his boots were bent at a strange angle and it looked like his feet were not in his boots. “One of his boots was at a strange angle, as if his foot wasn't in it. It pointed out to the left, bent at the ankle. ...He had to bend and adjust his boots. Evidently his feet did not go all the way down; the boots must have been stuffed with something so that he would seem taller”(Oates). The real reason his feet do not go all the way down into his boots is not because the boots are

may conclude “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” is an allusion to the biblical story of Adam and Eve. An analysis of imagery reveals Arnold Friend’s Satan-like characteristics: “shaggy, shabby black hair that looked crazy as a wig” (Oates 554), perhaps to hide horns, and his “friendly”, “sleepy dreamy smile”, tempting and ironically

Who is Arnold Friend in Joyce Carol Oates’ “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” Although, some claim that Bob Dylan, who this piece was dedicated for, represents Arnold Friend, according to Oates, inspiration for this character came from Charles Schmid, a notorious, serial killer during the 60’s known for targeting teenage girls. Questions of Arnolds true identity remains unclear throughout the story though the authors texts imply a deeper, literary interpretation. Oates makes use of symbolism