Character Analysis Of Arnold Friend In 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?'
The Embodiment of Satan Satan, as we know, is deceitful, manipulative, and immoral. He is not limited to any physical form or image. Arnold Friend, in "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" written by Joyce Oates, is seen as the devil himself. Connie, who is a self-obsessed fifteen-year-old girl, is submitted to this male who declares he is her "lover" (Oates 207). While Connie’s parents and sister were away at a barbecue, Arnold and his friend decided it was the perfect time to prey on Connie. However, Arnold came from “nowhere before that and belonged nowhere” (Oates 206). He was a mystery that Connie never got the chance to solve. Arnold is the tempter while Connie is tempted. His commands, actions, and distorted appearance all sway …show more content…
One minute he praises Connie for listening to him so well, the next minute he speaks with intention. He talks in a “slightly mocking, kidding, but serious and a little melancholy” way (Oates 205). Arnold sweet-talks her whilst using intimidation. He seems to have experience in flattering young women. If Arnold can twist Connie's thoughts a little bit, he can slither his way through her sanity and sink his teeth in for the kill. When an individual's mind is weak, the devil can easily slip in in order to act through his or her actions and attitude. Coonie is aware of this, yes, but she lets herself believe that her body and heart “was nothing” (Oates 210). This fiend of a man is able to enchant Connie to do what he wills. Now, some could argue that Arnold knew the right words to convey. Others could dispute that Arnold was a crazy stalker. However, Arnold is so much more than a stalker and smooth talker. Connie had withstood his defiling acts, but Arnold shattered that spirit. He saw through Connie as if she was see-through. Pet names and charming yet sinful words were practically sung into Connie's ears to seduce her out of her house. Connie let herself be swayed, not by will but by seduction and manipulation. This is what Satan does best. Satan sings your sins like a desperate church choir longing for their voices to be heard by the …show more content…
In the beginning, he planned on visiting Connie when he knew that she was going to be alone. He introduces himself as Arnold Friend stating to Connie that he will become “your friend” (Oates 203). Throughout the conversation, Arnold would strategically announce that he knew where her parents and sister were and “how long they’re going to be gone” (Oates 204). However, he will intertwine threats such as “But if you don’t come out we’re gonna wait till your people come home and then they’re all going to get it”, placing Connie in a very stressful situation (Oates 208). Connie can not fully understand what is happening because Arnold does not give her time to think. He may think that if Connie does not believe him, he will lose her. So he pushes and pushes Connie to the point of her breaking and giving in to his devious nature. Arnold drives her to submission similar to how Satan drives people to
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Analysis Essay
545 Words | 3 Pagesby Joyce Carol Oates, Connie's youth and naivete are juxtaposed with Arnold Friend's threat, creating a conflict between innocence and experience. From the novel's beginning, Connie is presented as a self-absorbed, naive adolescent girl who wants to be recognized by males. However, as the narrative continues, it becomes abundantly evident that Arnold Friend is no average adolescent. Arnold Friend gives off the impression that he is a force for evil due to his enigmatic appearance in a gold convertible, frequent allusions to the devil, and overstated age (′′he was thirty-five or something). Oates creates a sharp contrast between Arnold Friend's experience and Connie's naivety with this
Figurative Language In Where Have You Been Where Are You Going
1583 Words | 7 Pages(13) Arnold says that Connie will no longer be safe in her home, and he threatens her. In this story, Connie's house is a symbol of family and tradition. Arnold continues to threaten her by stating that he will destroy her home and memories. This flimsy cardboard box represents the increasing unreliability and unpredictability of her life. Through imagery, Oates depicts Connie's daydreams.
What Is The Theme Of Arnold Friend
952 Words | 4 PagesArnold truly is devoted in his own twisted mind to getting ahold of Connie
Oates's Short Story 'Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been?'
496 Words | 2 PagesConnie seems to be very lost and lonely; the perfect target for the devil. In this story, the devil takes form as an attractive man by the name of Arnold Friend. He first spots her while she’s out on a date and he inaudibly tells her “Gonna get you, baby.” Connie tries to act as if she isn’t interested, but she clearly is.
Analysis Of The Story 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been'
692 Words | 3 PagesHis statement demonstrates a clear sense of ownership over Connie, as he objectifies her as his date and not a woman with the ability to make her own decisions. This highlights the patriarchal ideology of such men, who cannot see women as able to make their own decisions, rather as objects for a man to satisfy himself. Arnold’s manipulation techniques are also shown in display when he uses terms such as ‘lover’ and ‘honey’. By doing so, Arnold tries to force an emotional connection between the two, as if he calls Connie these terms of endearment, she has no choice but to believe she is his ‘lover’, ultimately giving Arnold the power trip and dominance he searches for within Connie. To conclude, as one reads the short story Where are you Going, Where Have you
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Arnold Friend Character
890 Words | 4 PagesArnold Friend was there to take Connie away; away from her childhood and home, which never quite felt like home until her fantasy world deteriorated and reality set it. The next moment is pivotal, this is when Connie forgets her hedonism and becomes something of much more substance. Before Connie studies Arnold Friend’s abnormal personality and erratic behavior she is fascinated by him and even worries that she is ill prepared for this
Review Of The Story 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?'
1269 Words | 6 PagesIt actually shows Connie leaving with Arnold and then returning back home. However, in the story, it just cuts out with Connie leaving with Arnold. In the story, Connie is said to be leaving with Arnold when it end with this line, ““My sweet little blue-eyed girl,” he said in a half-sung sigh that had nothing to do with her brown eyes but was taken up just the same by the vast sunlit reaches of the land behind him and on all sides of him—so much land that Connie had never seen before and did not recognize except to know that she was going to it.” (Oates 336,337). In the film, some of this line was actually used in the film, but the story didn’t end unexpectedly like in the story.
Arnold Character Analysis
903 Words | 4 PagesDuring our usual late-night phone call to each other, one of the topics that we talked about was the short story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates; which I recently read for my English class. As I told you about the short story, we discussed our ideas and inclinations about the character Arnold, and how we individually perceive him. Our discussion revealed we had conflicting views on Arnold 's character. You told me that you perceive Arnold Friend to be a supernatural entity, and not of the human world. However, I disagree and think that Arnold is a rather disturbing mortal.
Examples Of Allusions In Where Are You Going Where Have You Been
854 Words | 4 PagesHe mysteriously knows where Connie lives and invites himself to drive over to her house. Arnold assumes Connie’s friendship by convincing her that he knows everything and everybody, “I know your name and all about you” (Oates 201) when she never told him her name in the first place. He knew her friends, their names as well as what she did the night before. He also knew exactly where Connie’s family was, at a BBQ at Connie’s aunt Tille’s.
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Literary Devices
688 Words | 3 PagesShe listens to love songs and follows modern pop culture believing that she can command the attention of the boys with her style. She only draws herself closer to sexuality and becoming an adult. Characterization is brought out in Connie and Arnold. Connie is a naïve teenage girl who is conscious about her looks, making her an easy target for antagonists such as Arnold. Arnold is over twenty and is attracted to the weakness of Connie, which brings out the reality about him against Connie’s Fantasy (Oates 3) the literal device of symbolism is used in the short story wherein the walkaway to Eddie’s
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Music Analysis
849 Words | 4 PagesHe uses her childlike dreams to manipulate her. However, it is still ambiguous as to whether Arnold Friend is actually real or just a nightmare of Connie. Connie is a typical teenager who focuses on her physical appearance. This is the result of the way she is influenced by music about women’s beauty
Arnold Friend Symbolism
1098 Words | 5 PagesWhen Arnold Friend appears at her front door, Connie is intrigued and attracted by this man as she wishes she looked better in front of him, and Connie is a miserable teenager who wants space away from
Where Are You Going Arnold Friend Quotes
794 Words | 4 PagesWhile these are all MOSTLY harmless, Arnold gets infuriated towards the end of the story when Connie refuses to leave her house and grasps her arm in hopes that he can force her into his car. While grabbing her arm he says to her, “This place you’re at now, it isn’t your real home, you know that don’t you?” (95). This clearly shows Arnold violating Connie’s person as well as showing Arnolds eagerness to use physical methods to pursue the
Compare And Contrast Where Are You Going And Where Have You Been
1040 Words | 5 PagesIn the end, this leads her to be abducted by Arnold. She was very gullible and unaware of the situation because of the attention surrounding her. Connie was so invested in gaining male attention that she read over the red flags. At first, Connie thought these were young men who drove up to her house. Connie describes how attractive Arnold is, such as how his jeans fit, the way his smile makes her feel, and the way he talks.
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Literary Analysis
694 Words | 3 PagesOates’s biography explained her fiction writing as a mixture violence and sexual obsession. The writing style definitely fits the plot point of this story with both of her literary ingredients being present in not only Arnold Friend but in Connie as well. The Protagonist Connie is presented in a very self-centered way. She is obsessed with her looks and often fantasizes about all the boys she meets.
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