Arnold Friend Character Analysis Essay
Joyce Carol Oates’s “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” is the story of a girl named Connie. Connie may be the protagonist, but she is not a symbolic character as much as a typical teen-aged girl in the middle of the twentieth century. On the other hand, there is Arnold Friend, the antagonist, who is so full of symbolism that he is nothing but an allegorical figure. There are different interpretations of what, or who, exactly Arnold Friend symbolizes. Some say that he is the personification of temptation. Others hypothesize that the book’s dedication to Bob Dylan is somehow intertwined in Friend’s Allegory. However, the most widely accepted theory is that Arnold Friend is merely Satan, or one of Satan’s demons, coming to collect Connie’s …show more content…
This occurrence could be random, but that is not likely. This encounter likely happens due to multiple sins that Connie commits. These sins mostly consist of lying, not worshipping on the Sabbath, and dishonoring her mother and father. Oates clearly states in the story that Connie and her family blatantly disregard going to church on Sunday (Carol Oates 901). Another example from the story is that she lies to her family on a regular basis. She even goes to the extent that she is a completely different person around her friends than she is when around her friends (Carol Oates 899). Moreover, one of the Ten Commandments is that one should honor their parents. Connie may not necessarily dishonor her parents, but she does upset them, especially her mother. Connie angers her mother when she is asked if she would like to go to an aunt’s barbecue; Connie’s response was that she was not interested as she rolled her eyes (Carol Oates 901). Oates later described the emotion on Connie’s mother’s face as the rest of the family drove away “…her mother with a look that was still angry and not at all softened through the windshield…” (Carol Oates 901). These sins could all be considered everyday choices that could be made differently, and they could have also led to the introduction of the devilish Arnold
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Summary
818 Words | 4 PagesThe house which Connie lives in symbolizes a world of family gatherings and sweet traditions she will forever cherish. Her home cannot provide her with the protection from the appalling threats of Arnold Friend whom cannot intrude her home, but can only seduce Connie to come out of
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Arnold Friend Symbolism
1251 Words | 6 PagesArnold Friend’s character was thought to symbolize the devil coming to take Connie because she wandered too far down the path of a sinner. Symbolism is a crucial part of the story because it helps the reader read between the lines and see beyond the obvious meanings of things. Some will argue that Arnold Friend symbolizes the serial killer Charles Schmid, but Oates makes it very clear that Arnold Friend is a symbol of the devil. According to History.com, Joyce Carol Oates was born On June 16, 1938, in Lockport New York.
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Arnold Friend Character Analysis
1112 Words | 5 Pages“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been,” written by Joyce Carol Oates is a story briefly filled with love, crime, and violence. Joyce Carol depicts serial killer Charles Schmid in her story. The character Arnold Friend lacks the potential to kill that the real life serial killer had. In the story Connie’s wild, carefree attitude draws the attention of Arnold Friend. He watched her from aside for a while but Connie was so caught up in what she was doing that she didn’t notice him until.
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Character Analysis Essay
792 Words | 4 PagesJoyce Carol Oates’ short story, “Where are You Going, Where have You Been?” , shows how the devil used his tactics to trap and capture Connie. The devil worked in creating a predisposition in Connie that made her more susceptible to him. He deceived her in the beginning by showing her a false appearance. That false appearance only lasted a short while.
Arnold Friend Theme
413 Words | 2 PagesJoyce Carol Oates dedicated “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” to Bob Dylan, because Carol has claimed that the story was influenced by Dylan’s haunting song “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue.” The story contains a reflection of the song’s lyrics, such as the following: “The vagabond who’s rapping at your door / Is standing in the clothes that you once wore / Strike another match, go start anew / And it’s all over now, Baby Blue.” Dylan himself is mirrored in the figure of Arnold Friend. Dylan and Arnold are the same but more significant is how each man is perceived.
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Arnold Friend Character Analysis
871 Words | 4 Pages“Where are you Going, Where have you Been” by Joyce Carol Oates is a short story that tells of the horrors that are possible when a child is rebellious and secretive. The story’s action begins when the main character, Connie, secretly visits a restaurant when she said she was in the movies, here she sees a man and he waves at her. Later, the same man shows up to her house when her family isn’t home and is trying to convince her to ‘go for a ride’ with him, and the reader learns his name is Arnold Friend. Connie talks to him for a bit, and eventually is manipulated into going with him, and it is assumed that Arnold kills her. Arnold Friend is a creepy, demanding older man, and his true personality is highlighted by the way the author writes
Symbolism In 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been'
818 Words | 4 Pages"I just hate to leave her like that," Connie said earnestly, but the boy said that she wouldn't be alone for long.” (Carol Oates
Are The Similarities Between The Times They Are A-Changin And The Crucible
859 Words | 4 PagesPolitical figures develop their motivations equivocally through events, personalities and situations, to achieve their own personal and societal goals of authority. In the 1955 prescribed text, “The Crucible,” playwright Arthur Miller establishes the political motivations of characters through dramatised staging features. Similarly, in the 1964 related text, “The Times They are A-Changin’,” artist Bob Dylan insights authoritative ambitions in his audience through musical and poetic devices. The shared ideas of the modernist era such as the significance of religion and political hegemony are investigated by both composers in their respective texts. Due to the elegant composure of these texts, the responder completely comprehends the motivations of the characters represented.
Arnold Friend Foreshadowing
660 Words | 3 PagesIn the short story, “where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” Arnold Friend tries to get Connie to do bad things to please him, which is revealed through arnold friend him Arnold Friend makes a promise to Connie at the drive-in-dinner In the short story it said “I'm going to get you baby”Oates. This foreshadows what is going to happen later on in the story it foreshadows that arnold will come for Connie and try to get her anyway possible .The
Symbolism In 'Where Are You Going Where Have You Been?'
700 Words | 3 PagesIn the coming of age story “Where Are You Going Where Have You Been?” Joyce Carol Oates uses symbolism, conflict, and the third person to foreshadow fifteen-year-old Connie’s unfortunate, yet untimely fate. While one may think that the conflict stems from Connie’s promiscuity, it is clear to see her promiscuity is only a result to a much bigger conflict, her mother’s constant nagging and disapproval, alongside the lack of attention from her father. the author paints a vivid picture of what happens when a fifteen-year-old girl such as Connie goes elsewhere to find to find the love, attention, and approval that she lacks at home. All which is vital for her growth and wellbeing as a person.
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Arnold Friend Comparison
1190 Words | 5 PagesIn Joyce Carol Oates fictional short story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” the majority of the story lies beneath the surface. More specifically than just the story, you realize that there is more to the character Arnold Friend than what may appear. The author has always remained silent and ambiguous about the real meaning of Arnold Friend’s true nature and she leaves room for the readers to make their own interpretation of him. Readers can analyze Arnold Friend and see him as the devil, he could just be the personification of popular music imagined by Connie in a dream, but Arnold Friend could also be the result of drug use.
Connie's Cluess In The Story Of Arnold Friend
158 Words | 1 PagesA lot of clues in the story hinted that Arnold Friend wasn’t a friend at all, but was a demon that came to take Connie away. When Arnold Friend was first introduced, Connie kept an uneasy feeling about him and felt intrigued by his presence. For example, Arnold immediately starts to ask Connie if she wants to come for a ride. (Oates 1012). Arnold seems to add pressure to Connie from the start and is obviously not there just to take her for a ride.
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Arnold Friend Analysis
817 Words | 4 PagesIn Joyce Carol Oates’s “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”, Connie is a fifteen-year-old girl, who does not necessarily get along with her family. During the week, she often times goes to a shopping plaza with some of her friends. However, they sneak across the highway to go to a popular diner where the older crowd hangs out at. At home, Connie is often times arguing with her family. One day her family is invited to her aunt's barbecue but Connie refuses to go.
Character Analysis Of Connie In 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been'
984 Words | 4 PagesConnie’s first encounter with Friend was at a diner when he stated to Connie, “Gonna get you, baby”(pg.1142). Because Connie was use to this type of attention, she did not view it as strange that an older man was calling her in such away. However, if Connie had seen Friend as dangerous instead of just another man, her kidnapping might have been prevented. Later in the story when Friend showed up as Connie’s house, she walked outside and talked to him instead of questioning how he knew where she lived or calling the police. Oates described Connie's interaction with Friend by stating,“Connie liked the way he was dressed, which was the way all of them dressed: tight faded jeans stuffed into black, scuffed boots, a belt that pulled his waist in and showed how lean he was, and a white pullover shirt that was a little soiled and showed the hard muscles of his arms and shoulders”(pg.1145).
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Literary Analysis
694 Words | 3 PagesEven taking pleasure in the feeling of rejecting them. Connie knows that she is always being compared to her sister June who her mother is
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