Character Analysis Of Connie From 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?'
Connie from “Where are you going, Where have you been?” by Joyce Carol Oates represents a situation opposite of that which Pecola is subject to. Connie “knew she was pretty and that was everything” (Seagull Reader 337). She had “long dark blonde hair that drew anyone’s eye to it” (337). She lived with her parents and sister in a comfortable home. She went shopping with her best girl friends. She was everything that Pecola laid awake dreaming about at night. She was seemingly everything that society praised in a fifteen year old girl.
Connie’s life, as easy as it may seem, was not free of confusion and controversy. Her social life and her life at home were in constant opposition. The things she wore “looked one way at home and one way when
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He appears to be a normal boy around the age of Connie and she “liked the way that he dressed, the way that they all dressed” (343). His appearance as a popular teenager allows him to create a connection with Connie and to gain a little bit of her trust.
As Connie talks with Arnold friend more his true motives become clear. He wants Connie to get in the car with him. Arnold tells Connie that he “took special interest in [her], such a pretty girl, and [he] found out all about [her]” (344). At first, this is taken by her as flattery. As the story progresses though, this comment becomes more menacing. Not only does Arnold know her name but he knows a remarkable amount about her family as well. His appearance as well isn’t as genuine as Connie originally thought he was “much older … thirty, maybe more” (346).
Eventually, Arnold Friend is able to make Connie feel powerless enough to give into his demand and leave with him. At this point in the story it is apparent that it is not only a ride in the car, but rather Arnold kidnapping Connie. The importance of this story in not the ending but rather the fault in Connie’s perception that allowed the ending to happen. This is a result of the original little bit of trust that Arnold gains from Connie. This trust is the only factor keeping Connie from shutting the door, running inside and calling the cops right from the
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She is a vain girl trusting in the power of both beauty and conformity. Arnold is able to come off as normal simply because he is able to conform for society’s view of a cool teenage guy. This ability gains him access to Connie.
When analyzing Connie and what becomes of her, it is easy to dismiss her misfortunes due to her young age of fifteen. This dismissal though, neglects to realize that the actual problem with Connie is not of her own accord. She is simple shoved to this mindset by the popular culture around her. This society connects a look with a typical teenage guy and therefore Connie does too. This uncovers a deep problem with popular culture: it can easily be used to hide behind. Connie uses it to gain popularity in every situation, whereas Arnold uses it to mask his age, danger, and gain
Analysis Of Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?
1033 Words | 5 PagesIn “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” there are many theories as to who Arnold Friend is and what his role. The story does not introduce Arnold till the middle and end of the story when Arnold Friend and Ellie Oscar, his friend, decides to pull up to Connie’s house trying to be gentle, but threatening at the same time. The tone sets the mood of the story, the way he talks is suave, so he doesn’t scare her as much but you could sense a little of annoyance in his voice when she refuses. He asks her to come ride with him, but then starts to threaten her family so she would get out the house and be with him.
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596 Words | 3 Pages“ Cantcha read it?” He opened the door very carefully as if we're afraid it might fall. He slid out just as carefully planting his feet firmly on the ground, the tiny metallic world. Arnold Friend and Connie have a conversation about what is on the car it was a bunch of codes and names “Arnold Friend” was painted on the. Arnold Friend show symbolic satan through dialogue.
Arnold Friend In Joyce Carol Oates Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?
1276 Words | 6 PagesNot only is he a stalker, but he also alters his appearance to make him perceived as younger. He is a deceptive character with manipulative tactics. One of the biggest tactics of Arnold Friend is his deception with clothing. We can infer that he uses his clothes to make himself appear younger.
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Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Character Analysis Essay
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Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Arnold Friend Character
890 Words | 4 PagesShe sees the boys who give her attention as subjugations who “dissolve into a single face that was not even a face but an idea” (Oates 675). But soon enough her dreams and music materialize into the shape of Arnold Friend. Arnold Friend is described as a muscular, older, and mysterious character. He seems to be a work of her imagination as he is ultimately an idea she created that would fit into her perfect fantasy world. Connie is defenseless to Arnold Friend’s manipulations mainly because she has no visible identity of her own.
Arnold Friend Character Analysis
1137 Words | 5 PagesHowever, this is countered when Connie notes that “he was much older—thirty, maybe more” (315), a fact that frightens her. What Arnold is to Connie is a challenge of her want to be an adult, and a trail of her ability to deal with adult issue. Such as a man who singles her out sexual reason. Her wish to be an adult is something she seeks while passively avoiding it. Her avoidance is marked by day dreams of puppy love romance, like a typical teenager; yet, her attractive flaunt to be mature is presented as if she seeks to be an
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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.
Character Analysis Of Arnold Friend In 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?'
580 Words | 3 PagesJohn Locke, a famous philosopher, once said,“I have always thought the actions of men are the best interpreters of their thoughts.” People are not always who they seem, and their true self is revealed through their actions. In Joyce Carol Oates’s suspenseful short story, ”Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” antagonist, Arnold Friend, uses faustian tactics such as flattery, fear, and lies to manipulate and overpower the protagonist, Connie. Equivalent to the Devil, Arnold Friend uses flattery to deceive Connie. Throughout the story it is evident that Connie is suffering from a deficient amount of attention from home.
Arnold Friend Symbolism
1429 Words | 6 PagesConnie is ready to take things beyond just the romantic level with boys, and this desire is transformed into the being that is Arnold Friend. Connie states in her description of Arnold that “she liked the way he was dressed… a belt that pulled in his waist and showed how lean he was, and a white pull-over shirt that was a little soiled and showed the hard small muscles of his arms and shoulders” (Oates n.p.). By Connie stating this, she reveals that she does find Arnold physically attractive, perhaps even on a sexual level. Arnold represents her interest in boys and he allows her to enter into the world of fantasy. When he breaks into the house, however, Connie’s own fantasies begin to betray her because this is what she pictures it to be like if she were forced into a sexual situation.
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Psychological Analysis
657 Words | 3 PagesThis interpretation of the story explains how Connie simply fell prey to the common theme of men acting as predators in society. Therefore, Connie had no say in her fate, so she just decided to go quietly with him. However, this theory completely disregards the psychological disorders that Connie has. Connie did not go quietly with Arnold because he was a dominating male. Instead, Connie left due to her numerous unconscious mental problems.
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.
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