Character Analysis Of Arnold Friend In 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?'

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How often does a character have the ability to change his persona from a so called “nice guy”, to a malevolent human being? A first impression is always an important one, but what if the first impression tends to be the wrong one? Well, that’s exactly what kind of character Joyce Carol Oates describes in her short story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” Connie, the fifteen-year-old protagonist; who plays the girl next door perfectly, encounters a man who will undoubtedly changes her life forever. Arnold Friend symbolizes everything that is wrong with a sinful human nature. Arnold is the epitome of pure evil. The first time that Connie encounters Arnold was when she was standing in a parking lot listening to music. She didn’t …show more content…

The symbolism used here were the numerous clues regarding Arnold’s appearance, possibly suggesting that he is either Satan himself or a satyr (Greek mythological god). Critics hypothesize that Arnold is wearing a wig to hide his pointed ears or even his horns. Also, the reason why his feet don’t fit properly into his boots is because Arnold has hooves instead of feet. (Easterly). So, when Arnold is standing on the porch looking at Connie through the mesh screen door, she notices the sunglasses he was wearing, “The driver’s glasses were metallic and mirrored everything in miniature” (Oates 172). It is said that our eyes are the windows to our soul, so when Connie is unable to see Arnold’s eyes—essentially she’s unable to see into his soul. Connie can’t make a worthy judgement call on whether she thinks he has good intentions towards her, or he might be hiding something behind those mirrored glasses. It is a perfect disguise for Arnold to hide his true intentions behind (Easterly). The glasses in this particular instance symbolize the evil that resides deep inside Arnold, the kind of evil that can only be described as the devil …show more content…

Connie knew that as long as she stays inside she will be safe; however, she can’t turn away from the temptations that Arnold is offering. The more Connie resists, the more frustrated, impatient, and aggravated Arnold becomes. It is then that Arnold introduces a diabolical symbolism when he says “I ain’t made plans for coming in that house where I don’t belong but just for you to come out to me, the way you should. Don’t you know who I am?” (Oates 173). In that statement, Arnold symbolizes a creature that possesses supernatural powers, having the ability to dominate Connie by addressing her in a demeaning way. Arnold, at this point in the story beings to take form into a being that must make himself appear more significant than anything or anyone that’s important in Connie’s life

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