Arnold Friend Essay

level. “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” is a short story written by Joyce Carol Oates. Through her writing, she expresses the devil with her use of the character, Arnold Friend. Throughout this story, one can tell Arnold Friend is a symbolic Satan through his description, use of language, and his knowledge. Arnold Friend’s physical description resembles Bob Dylan’s appearance, but the devil is known to take on tempting forms. One source goes on to claim that “Arnold’s “shaggy, shabby black

English 21011 James Friend Spells ‘Sociopath’ The persona of a sociopath appears to be much like any human. In many cases, one would not be able to "pick him out of a crowd." Their minds, however, differ greatly from the average mind. A sociopath is extremely smart and methodical and most often is very meticulous in the way in which he acts. While many people are not thinking beyond the norm, a psychopath thinks about his every breath, step, and word. In the short story "Where are you

Comparing The Misfit Vs Arnold Friend In the two short stories “A Good Man is Hard to Find” by Flannery O'Connor and "Where are You Going, Where Have You Been?" by Joyce Carol Oates, there are many similarities in the characters ‘Misfit’ and Arnold Friend; although they aren’t clear at the beginning they become clearer after analyzing. For instance, they are both charming and know how to talk to their prey and get what they want. We see this in A Good Man is Hard to Find with the Misfit, he stays

reality. Arnold Friend a character that is introduced as Connie is exploring her sexuality at the local diner, a diner is a place for Connie to meet older boys. Arnold is an overbearing character that does not take no for an answer. Could we agree that psychology plays a role for Connie and Arnold Friend characters? One part of psychology

Another indication that Arnold Friend is the devil is his appearance. If Arnold was the devil he would have to hide what he looks like so Connie would not know who he really was. Arnold’s “whole face was a mask” (par 110) that looked “as if he had plastered make-up on his face” (par. 110). If Arnold Friend were the devil it would make sense that he would be wearing a mask to hide his devilish features. Arnold also was “wearing a wig” (par. 94) to hide his horns on top of his head. If he were the

sexual awakening through a dream sequence. Throughout the short story it can be determined that the story is a dream sequence through characterization, dialogue, and setting. The characterization of Arnold Friend in the short story gives the reader many clues as to his nature. In the short story, Arnold Friend is shown to be strange, almost unreal, through his characterization. The following is a good example: One of his boots was at a strange angle…’anybody can break through a screen door and glass

of grief. She couldn’t get away from the invisible gates surrounding and trapping her as if she were a hunted animal. The ride seemed like a journey, going on forever and ever. Trying to pry information causally, Connie would ask Arnold ,” Where are you taking me?” Arnold just turned around and gave her that sleepy smile of his and , “Don’tcha worry ‘bout a thing honey. You are safe with me.” His smile, that reassuring yet mysterious smile quenched her longing for home and diminished the thought of

connotation. Connie continuously acts promiscuously, resulting in the devil appearing at her house. Connie, however, when first meeting Arnold is unphased by the potential harm and acts in a flirtatious manner to grab his attention. In the story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates, she uses symbolism to to represent that Arnold Friend is the devil. Connie, while walking with Eddie, notices a man off to the side. Despite Connie being with Eddie, she catches the attention

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. Through plot, Oates demonstrates how Arnold Friend can be seen as a symbolic Satan. Plot starts when Arnold makes sure to tell Connie he is

In many stories, there may be symbols relating to the devil or a savior. In the story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been,” the character Arnold Friend has many controversial views on whether he is a savior or satanic figure. As the main character in the story, Connie gets taken away by Arnold Friend to get raped. Although she gets raped, Tierce and Crafton argue that he is Connie’s savior because he is the “answer to Connie’s ‘unuttered’ call and to her ‘erotic’ desires”(Tierce, Crafton 222)