Arnold Friend

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In Joyce Carol Oates’ short story “Where are You Going, Where have You Been?” In this story, there are two characters who stands out the most. They were Connie and Arnold Friend. Connie was a fifth teen-year-old girl who thought she had the world all figured out and some. But, once Connie met a guy named Arnold Friend he changed her whole perception of what is true reality versus imagination. Arnold seemed like someone who took advantage of women and used them for their needs. Throughout the story, Arnold Friend seemed like a smooth charmer towards a fifth teen-year-old girl. Connie was just like any young girl who thought they knew everything about life and ready to live life. Throughout they story Connie was mostly an adolescent, naïve, and …show more content…

Someone who is transitioning from a child to an adult. While as an adolescent she was being immature and ungrateful towards her family. There were times when I felt bad for her. Connie family treated her as like the red headed stepchild. Connie had an older sister named June who stilled stayed at home and at times seemed like the parents like most. For example, “Why don't you keep your room clean like your sister? How've you got your hair fixed—what the hell stinks? Hair spray? You don't see your sister using that junk (Oates 1)." From that one example, the reader could tell why at times Connie would run off and hang out with her best friend. At times, Connie felt like she was respected more in the streets than at home. So, that’s how the reader could observe her young attitude thinking she knew everything about life at an immature …show more content…

The lover of music. No, matter what was going on in Connie’s life she always had music playing in her head. Throughout out every sentence in the story Connie always notice music playing or heard music playing her head. During the time when Arnold Friend was trying to make his way into Connie home music still meant something to her. “After his hand fell back to his side the X was still in the air, almost visible. Connie let the screen door close and stood perfectly still inside it, listening to the music from her radio and the boy's blend together (Oates 5).” It still seemed like she had an ear for music. No, matter what was going on in her

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