Arnold Friend Essay

TheHiddenIdentityofArnoldFriendTheworldisfullofpeoplewhoportraythemselvesassomeoneor somethingelse.Peopleusuallyhidetheiridentitytoobtainthingsthattheywant.Itiscommontobefooledby someone'sappearanceInJoyceCarolOates's,"WhereAreYouGoing,WhereHaveYouBeen,"ArnoldFriendis anexampleofsomeonetryingtotrickanotherpersonintobelievingthatheissomethingthatheisnot.Inthestory, agirlnamedConnieisconfrontedbyamanwhoistrying...

ArnoldFriend

heruntilConniewishedhermotherwasdeadandsheherselfwasdeadanditwasallover"Thestoryisalso dedicatedtoBobDylan,whobaresastrikingresemblancetotheantagonistArnoldFriend.However,in interviews,OatessimplysaidthatDylan'ssong"It'sallover

WhoIsArnoldFriend?

WhoisArnoldFriend?JoyceCarolOateswasbornJune16,1938inLockportNewYork.AtayoungageOates startedwritingScenesfromherearlyenvironmentarefrequentlyusedassettingsinherstoriesInherelementary yearsshewrotestoriesand"constructed200pagebooks,whichshedesignedandboundherself"(Heltermanand Layman371).Thelackofinformationprovidedaboutherearlyyearsandhermakinglargebooksatayoungage isagoodindicationthatshewasanoutcastandhadatroubled

storyisthatamannamedArnoldFriendliberatedayoungrebelliousgirl,Connie,fromthetormentofheryouth. However,inrealitytheaudienceiseludedtothesymbolismthatConnieisbeingpulledawayfromher"golden" innocenceandintothearmsofSatanhimself.ArnoldFriendexhibitsSatanictraits,andonthissymboliclevel,a younggirlbeingstrippedfromherchildhood,andintoanunforgivingworldThestoryrevealsthatArnoldFriend isnoboyorfriend,heisreferredtoasadevil-like...

ArnoldFriendPersonification

byArnoldFriendintheshortstory"WhereAreYouGoing,WhereHaveYouBeen"Theimpactofthesewords onthereaderwillvarybasedonhowonechoosestoapproachthem.Tosome,theymaybethesoulofmundanity, withlittletonosignificanceorweightapartfromsomearroganceonthepartofArnold.Toothers,theymaybe indicativeadeeper,muchdarker,realitywithinthestoryTothelatterapproach,beingoneofnumerous interpretations,somecriticshaveventuredtodeclareArnoldFriend...

ArnoldFriendAllusion

mayconclude"WhereAreYouGoing,WhereHaveYouBeen?"isanallusiontothebiblicalstoryofAdamand Eve.AnanalysisofimageryrevealsArnoldFriend'sSatan-likecharacteristics:"shaggy,shabbyblackhairthat lookedcrazyasawig"(Oates554),perhapstohidehorns,andhis"friendly","sleepydreamysmile",temptingand ironically...

doesn'tappeartobewiththemformorethanonenighttothefriendsshegoesoutwiththatthe

ArnoldFriendQuotes

characterArnoldFriend,whoisthedevil,andConniewillbethelowselfastemgirlwhowillfallintocommitting asinAsthestoryplaysoutArnoldFriendisthedevilwhichasheistryingtotakeConnieandbringherunderhis wingandkillher.Asthestory,playsouttheygivecluesthatArnoldFriendisindeedthedevilbyaquote"Connie lookedawayfromFriend'ssmiletothecar,whichwaspaintedsobrightitalmosthurthereyestolookatitItsaid thename,ArnoldFriend".Herefers...

ArnoldFriendIdentity

familyandherself.TheserepressedthoughtsbecomethemotivatingforcebehindConnie'sdaydreamsand implementationofherdefensemechanisms,whenconfrontedbyArnoldFriendandEllieOnceConnierecognizes herrepressedthoughtsregardingArnoldFriend,sheundergoesrealityanxiety.Althoughhereffortstoescape ArnoldFriendarefutile,sheuncoversthetruthbehindhernewfound:thatitwashollowandself-centered Therefore,theshortstory,"Whereareyougoing,wherehaveyoubeen"...

YouGoing,WhereHaveYouBeen?"TheinvasionofspaceplaysanimportantroleinConnie'slifeHerhome symbolizehowvulnerablesheis.However,ArnoldFriendinvadedbothConnie'shomeandfamily.Nonetheless, ArnoldFrienddidnotonlyinvadeConnie'shomeandfamily,heviolatedherlife,innocence,andprivatethoughts Inotherwords,ArnoldFriendhasclosedallthedoorsofchildhood,identity,andinnocenceinConnie'slifeby seducingherintoenteringthedangerousworldofadulthood(66-67)

ArnoldFriendThesis

andherbestfriendwenttoawell-knownrestaurant.Whenwalkingtoaboy'scar,Conniesawagood-lookingguy standingnexttoacar;theattractivemansaidtoher,"Gonnagetyou,baby."AfewdayslaterwhileConniewas homealoneacarpulledupinherdriveway,theownerlookedfamiliarHisnamewasArnoldFriend,anolderman whokneweverythingabouteveryone.ArnoldFriendknewConnie'sname,whereshelived,whatherfamilywas doing,andthatshewashomealoneArnoldinsistedthat

ArnoldFriendIdentity

amystery,ArnoldFriendwhoshiftsConniefromrealitytofantasyandpushesherspirituallytoobeyhim.An importantmotiffromthetext,themusic,revealsthetrueidentityofConnieandbecomesaweaponusedtodictate heralongwithArnoldFriend'svoice,andBobDylan'ssonghasallcontributestothecentralthemeofthestory, domination.At...

Been?"themaincharacterConnieisperceivedtobeveryvulnerabletoArnoldFriend,whoendsupbecomingher kidnapper.ArnoldFriendseesConnieasayoung,attractivefifteenyearoldgirlwhoisaneasytarget.Connieis suchaneasytargetforArnoldFriendbecausesheisalwayslookingforattentionfromolderboysArnoldtakes noticeofthisandstartsstalkingConnie,tryingtofigureouthowtogettoher.ArnoldstalksConniewithouther evennoticingbecauseshe

ArnoldFriendSymbolism

Been,WhereAreYouGoing?writtenbyJoyceOates,ArnoldFriendplaysasignificantroleintheshortstoryby posingastheantagonist.Thesettingofthestorytakesplaceinthe1970'swhentheSexualRevolutionbeginsand teenagersbegintorebelagainsttheirparents,andArnoldisavalidcomparisontotemptationarisingwith teenagersduringthistimeperiodashetemptsConnie.Throughouttheshortstory,manycharacteristicsofArnold Friend,hiswayofstyle,andcarimplythathesymbolizes

TheCharacteristicsOfTheArnoldFriend

herfictionalcharacterArnoldFriend.CharlesHowardSchmidJr.wasconvictedofmurderingthreegirlsinthe mid-sixtiesHe

psychologicalrollercoasterofmanipulationandinterpretivemeaningsAlthoughtheantagonisticcharacterof ArnoldFriendcouldbeviewedasablankvesseltorepresentviolenceorevensexualattraction,hisoff-putting mannerismsandunnervingpersistenceseemstohaveasinisterbacking,whichleadsmetobelievethatArnoldis thepersonificationofthedevil.ThefirstintroductiontoArnoldtakesplaceatalocaldiner,whereConnie,our fifteen-year-oldprotagonist,isonadateAsConniebegins

ArnoldFriendSymbolism

thatArnoldFriendisanythingbutdangerousandapredatortoConnie'sinnocenceandvulnerability.Connie realizesthatheroblivioncametoanabruptend.Connieisillustratedasabasiccarefree15yearoldwhoistrying tofindherselfConnie'sconstantly"craninghernecktoglanceinthemirrors"tocheckifherappearanceis acceptable(157).Shewouldalso"checkotherpeople'sfacestomakesureherownwasright"...

ArnoldFriendAnalysis

YouGoing,WhereHaveYouBeen?JoyceCarolOatesusescharacterizationtoforeshadowthatArnoldisa kidnapperandthatConniegetsKidnapped.ArnoldFriendisportrayedasamanipulator,whichforeshadowsthat hewilleventuallydosomethinglike,kidnapConnieConnieisportrayedasvain,whichforeshadowsthatshewill beavictimsimilartogettingkidnapped.Conniedecidedtogooutwithherfriends.Shespotsademoniclooking man,acrossthestreet,who'slookingather.Connie,who'sat...

ArnoldFriendSymbolism

encountersanunknown,demonic"stranger"(ArnoldFriend)Throughoutthestory,ArnoldFriendcausedmuch awkwardnessandpuzzlement,byhisdemandingactionsandodd,buttrueknowledge.Ithadbecameapparentthat hewantedmorethanafriendshipwithConnie,andnevertookrejectionasananswerWithin

ArnoldFriendIdentity

JoyceCarolOatesstory"WhereAreYouGoing,WhereHaveYouBeen?"canbeinterpretedinmanyways.The characterofArnoldFriendcanbereadasa"symbolicdemon"whoseaccesstoConnieturnsouttobetheresultof theimmoraldifferencesoftheadultsinthestory.ArnoldcanrepresentConnie'sunconsciousoralterego,thus representinganuncontrollablenightmareorherfearofpassagefromadolescencetoadulthood.Connieseemsto beinaninwardquesttofindherownpersonalidentitybecause

ArnoldFriendCharacter

concernedwithherhairand"howbadshelooked"(Lawn372).Shemayhavehadachanceheretocallthepolice beforeevenmakinganycontactwithArnoldShechoseinsteadtocometothedoorandentertaintheuninvited guests.SheonlyreallybegantorealizethedangershewasinwhenshenoticedthatEllie,Arnold'spassenger, lookedtobeevenolderthanArnold,aboutforty(Lawn377)Onlythendoessheconsidercallingthepolice,but unfortunatelyitisalreadytoolate.Whenshedoesmakethedash...

ArnoldFriendArnoldFriendisaseductiveman,orshouldIsayArNOLDFrIENDwithadarkappearancehiding somethingdeeper,somethingevil?Arnold,posingasateen-ageboy,isnoneotherthanthedevilhimself,which showsinhiswordsandactions,andinhisphysicaltraitsFromtheverybeginningof,JoyceCarolOates',"Where areyougoing,WhereHaveyoubeen?"acertainnumberofreligiousreferencesareinterspersedthroughout.These referenceshelptomaintainabiblicalfeeling

ArnoldFriendAnalysis

1216November2017ArnoldFriendoursymbolicSatanTherearemanyideasaboutwhatorwhotheDevilis, evenamongbelievers.Thenumberofdifferingsourcesandtranslationshaveledtoplentyofinconsistencies, rumors,andassumptionssurroundingthePrinceofDarknessThroughouttheshortstory"WhereAreYougoing, WhereHaveYouBeen?",ArnoldFriendisseenasasymbolicSatan.JoyceCarolOatesusesdialogue, characterization,andplottoshowthereadershowArnoldembodiesfeaturesof

ArnoldFriendAnalysis

terrifyingcharacterArnoldFriend,anameendingwithfriendwe'dthinkhe'dbeoneofthosegoofyyetcreepy charactersorevenjustplainoddWeshouldcallhimArnoldthedemonbecausethatiswhatheseemsmorelike, andnotfigurlivityheliterallyademon!CertainaspectsofthestoryleftquiteafewhintsthatArnoldis supernaturalfigurethananordinaryhuman.MyfirstsuspensionthatArnoldFriendmayhavebeenademonof somesortisifyouremovetheRbothfromArnoldfriend,thenamewill

characterArnoldFriendtotrytolureagirlnamedConnieArnoldFriendhelpsportraythepoweroflogical appealsbyshowingthatheissomeonetobetrusted.Andalsobecausehecreatesstatementsthatpromisethatshe willbesafewithhimHe"'Always[tells]thetruthand[he]canpromise[her]this:[He]ain'tcomingintothat houseafterher'"(Oatesline5).SheisusingArnoldtotrytogetconnietocomeoutofthehouseandhe,inthis particularquote,chooses

ArnoldFriendAllusion

maidenindistressorvictimandArnoldFriendasdeathpersonified.ArnoldFriendor"anoldfiend",isadeceiving manipulativeoldermalewhocouldbeyourfatherandhashissidekickwhoisevenolder,Arnoldstuffshisboots, hasapictureofhimselfsprayedpaintedonthesideofhiscarthatlookslikeapumpkin,whoopenlyadmitsthat he'scomingforyouandthathestalksyou,he'sessentiallyasociopathwhoflirtsbythreateningyouandyour familyArnoldaimsinonthefrailtyandaspirations

ArnoldFriendMeaning

debatethereisonlyonerealworldsituationthatcouldhaveactuallyoccurredinthestory.Thattheoryisthatthe entirepartaboutArnoldFriendisadreamThesectionofthestoryIhavechosenunquestionablyprovesthat Connieisinfactdreaming.Tobegin,thefirstreasonthissectionofthestorytellsusthatArnoldFriendisinfacta dream;ArnoldknowspreciselywhatConnie'sfamilyisdoingdespitethefactthatheisstandinginthebackyard withConnieApersoncannotsee

ArnoldFriendMeaning

themixisevidentinOates'sviewofConnieandArnoldsdoubleidentities,"Everythingaboutherhadtwosidesto it,oneforhomeandoneforanywherethatwasnothome"ArnoldwasmoreofasatanicsymbolForexample, Arnoldstuffshisbootsinordertoappeartallerandmoreattractiveortohidehisclovenfeet.Conniebeginsto breakawayfromherdullandboringlifewithherfamilyandbeginstotestthestrengthsofhersexuality,Arnold ontheother-handisviewedasthedevil'straditional...

ArnoldFriendCharacter

BecauseofthefactofwhatArnoldsaidwastrue,thismakesConnieevenmorefrightenedandleadtobelievethat Arnoldiscapableandwouldhurtherfamilyinsomesortofway.Inthestory"WhereAreYouGoing,Where HaveYouBeen?"Oatesshowsheroismthroughimagery;"Shewatchedherselfpushthedoorslowlyopenasif shewerebacksafesomewhereintheotherdoorway"(Oates)Oatesdeliversthereaderavividimageofhow ConniefeelsgivingherselfuptoArnoldFriendtoshowsheisneitherscared...

ArnoldFriendPersonality

effectivemeansofpersuasion"InJoyceCarolOates,"WhereAreYouGoing,WhereHaveYouBeen",Arnold Friend,anadultmaledeceitfullypretendingtobeateenager,goonaquesttomakeayounggirl,Connie,takea ridewithhimHehassomecomplicationswithConnieintogettinghertotakearidewithhimHowever,his eccentric,charismatic,anddeceitfulbehaviorlureshertocomewithhim.ArnoldFriendshowshiseccentric behaviorwhenhestandsawkward,makingitseemasifheisrelaxedor...

breathstartjerkingbackandforthinherlungsasifitweresomethingArnoldFriendwasstabbingherwithagain andagainwithnotenderness"(Oates,424)Conniehascreatedanimpressivefacadeofadulthoodthroughbeing sexuallyattractiveandspendingtimewithkidswhoaremucholderthanher.However,shehasalwayshadadults andfriendsclosebytokeephersafeduringhernightsoutonthetown.WhenArnoldFriendvisitsConnieather home,sheisquicklyuncomfortable,eventhoughthis

ArnoldFriendQuotes

youbeen,"Friend(ademon)useshis"forkedtongue"tomanipulateConniewithhiswordstoslowlyconvinceher thatshewillultimatelygiveintohimnomatterwhat;eventhefirstwordswehearfromhimalludetothefactthat he'sgonnaovercomeher,"Gonnagetyou,baby."(ShmoopEditorialTeam)Connie,anaiveteenagegirlinthe 1960's,hasthisconceptthatshewillneverlikeArnoldFriend,duetohisageandhisstrangequalities;yetshe knowsthateverysinglethingthatFriendtellsher...

ArnoldFriendAllusion

bemadebetweentheconfrontationofArnoldFriendandConnie.ArnoldFriendandhischarismaticattemptto persuadeConnietogetoutofherhouseand"comeforaride"(Oates)inhiscarwithhimcouldbeinterpretedas Eveandtheserpentthattemptshertoeattheforbiddenapple.Justastheserpentexclaimed,"ForGoddothknow thatinthedayyeeatthereof,thenyoureyesshallbeopened,andyeshallbeasgods,knowinggoodandevil," ArnoldFriendattemptedtopersuadeConnietodoas...

ComparingTheMisfitVsArnoldFriendInthetwoshortstories"AGoodManisHardtoFind"byFlannery O'Connorand"WhereareYouGoing,WhereHaveYouBeen?"byJoyceCarolOates,therearemanysimilarities inthecharacters'Misfit'andArnoldFriend;althoughtheyaren'tclearatthebeginningtheybecomeclearerafter analyzing.Forinstance,theyarebothcharmingandknowhowtotalktotheirpreyandgetwhattheywant.Wesee thisinAGoodManisHardtoFindwiththeMisfit,hestays

ArnoldFriendCharacterAnalysis

reality.ArnoldFriendacharacterthatisintroducedasConnieisexploringhersexualityatthelocaldiner,adiner isaplaceforConnietomeetolderboys.Arnoldisanoverbearingcharacterthatdoesnottakenoforananswer. CouldweagreethatpsychologyplaysaroleforConnieandArnoldFriendcharacters?Onepartofpsychology

ArnoldFriendCharacterAnalysis

herhousethenatotallydifferentwaywhenshewasawayfromhome.Herfamilydoesnotcareaboutwhatshe wantstodoorwhereshewantstogoOatesrepresentsConnieasayounginnocentgirlwhomeetsArnoldFriend whichcouldchangeheroutlookofherwantingtogrowuptofast.ArnoldFriendisamysteriouscharacterwhois acompletestrangertoConniebutcauseshertobecome

connotationConniecontinuouslyactspromiscuously,resultinginthedevilappearingatherhouseConnie, however,whenfirstmeetingArnoldisunphasedbythepotentialharmandactsinaflirtatiousmannertograbhis attentionInthestory"WhereAreYouGoing,WhereHaveYouBeen?"byJoyceCarolOates,sheuses symbolismtotorepresentthatArnoldFriendisthedevil.Connie,whilewalkingwithEddie,noticesamanoffto thesideDespiteConniebeingwithEddie,shecatchestheattention

ArnoldFriendCharacterAnalysis

athome.ShemeetsamannamedArnoldFriend,hegoesafterConnie,claiminghehastotakeherforaride,butit isobvioushewantstodootherthings.Becauseofthischaracter'sactions,itisdeterminedthatheisa representationofthedevilThroughplot,characterization,anddialogue,OatessuccessfullyportraysArnold FriendasasymbolicSatan.Throughplot,OatesdemonstrateshowArnoldFriendcanbeseenasasymbolicSatan. PlotstartswhenArnoldmakessuretotellConnieheis

ArnoldFriendCharacterAnalysis

Inmanystories,theremaybesymbolsrelatingtothedevilorasavior.Inthestory"WhereAreYouGoing,Where HaveYouBeen,"thecharacterArnoldFriendhasmanycontroversialviewsonwhetherheisasaviororsatanic figure.Asthemaincharacterinthestory,ConniegetstakenawaybyArnoldFriendtogetraped.Althoughshe getsraped,TierceandCraftonarguethatheisConnie'ssaviorbecauseheisthe"answertoConnie's'unuttered' callandtoher'erotic'desires"(Tierce,Crafton222)

unexpectedvisitorsOatesusessymbolismthroughouttheshortstorytosupportherthemeofevilnessand sinfulness.Therearemanyexamplesofsymbolismbeingusedinthisstory,withArnoldFriendbeingthemost importantsymbolWhenArnoldFriendandElliearrivetoConnie'shouseshenoticessomethingstrangeabout Arnold.Forone,theypulledupinabrightgoldcarwithwritingalloverit.Hisnameiswrittenonthecaralong withagrinningfacewithsunglassesandthreerandomnumbersShenotices

EssayAboutArnoldFriend

level."WhereAreYouGoing,WhereHaveYouBeen?"isashortstorywrittenbyJoyceCarolOates.Through herwriting,sheexpressesthedevilwithheruseofthecharacter,ArnoldFriend.Throughoutthisstory,onecantell ArnoldFriendisasymbolicSatanthroughhisdescription,useoflanguage,andhisknowledgeArnoldFriend's physicaldescriptionresemblesBobDylan'sappearance,butthedevilisknowntotakeontemptingforms.One sourcegoesontoclaimthat"Arnold's"shaggy,shabbyblack

ArnoldFriendCharacterAnalysis

English21011JamesFriendSpells'Sociopath'Thepersonaofasociopathappearstobemuchlikeanyhuman.In manycases,onewouldnotbeableto"pickhimoutofacrowd"Theirminds,however,differgreatlyfromthe averagemind.Asociopathisextremelysmartandmethodicalandmostoftenisverymeticulousinthewayin whichheacts.Whilemanypeoplearenotthinkingbeyondthenorm,apsychopaththinksabouthiseverybreath, step,andwordIntheshortstory"Whereareyou

ArnoldFriendCharacterAnalysis

sexualawakeningthroughadreamsequenceThroughouttheshortstoryitcanbedeterminedthatthestoryisa dreamsequencethroughcharacterization,dialogue,andsettingThecharacterizationofArnoldFriendintheshort storygivesthereadermanycluesastohisnature.Intheshortstory,ArnoldFriendisshowntobestrange,almost unreal,throughhischaracterizationThefollowingisagoodexample:Oneofhisbootswasatastrange angle…'anybodycanbreakthroughascreendoorandglass...

ArnoldFriend:SubliminalTemptations?

throughthecharacterArnoldFriend'sportrayalasasymbolicsatanThroughsubliminalrevelations,Oatesslowly expressesthetruecharacteroftemptationintheformofArnoldFriend.Oates'seerieintroductionofArnoldcanbe utilizedtoextrapolatethetruemeaningofArnoldFriend'snamethusrevealingitsunderlyingsatanicmeaning WhenthecharacterArnoldfirstarrivesatConnie'shouse,itisstated,"Thishereismyname,tobeginwith,he said.ARNOLDFRIEND[...]Iwantaintroduce...

ArnoldFriendBiblicalSatan

InJoyceCarolOates'"WhereAreYouGoing,WhereHaveYouBeen?"manycriticsarguewhetherthecharacter ofArnoldFriend,clearlythestory'santagonist,representsbiblicalSatanhimselforapsychopathicstalker.Indeed, ArnoldFriendcouldbeanallegoricaldevilfigure,theprotagonistwholuresConnieintoridingoffwithhiminhis car,or,inthecontrary,farmoreagrotesqueportraitofapsychopathickillermasqueradingasateenager. However,hehasallthetraditional,sinistertraits...

ConniedidnotexactlyunderstandhowshefoundherselfinthepassengerseatofArnoldFriend'sgold-painted jalopyAllsheknewwasthatjustafewminutesago,justamileortwobackhome,justatickandatockaway, shecouldfeelherchestheavingandherstomachtwistingrightbehindascreendoorwithhereyesstaringright intoArnoldFriend'sface.Nowthatshethoughtaboutit,shecouldn'trememberwhatexactlyhelookedlike,even ifhisfacewasonlyinchesawayfromherownMaybe

ArnoldFriendDevilAnalysis

AnotherindicationthatArnoldFriendisthedevilishisappearance.IfArnoldwasthedevilhewouldhavetohide whathelookslikesoConniewouldnotknowwhohereallywasArnold's"wholefacewasamask"(par110)that looked"asifhehadplasteredmake-uponhisface"(par.110).IfArnoldFriendwerethedevilitwouldmake sensethathewouldbewearingamasktohidehisdevilishfeaturesArnoldalsowas"wearingawig"(par94)to hidehishornsontopofhishead.Ifhewerethe...

ArnoldFriend:AShortStory

Conniehesitantlywalkedtowardsthecar.ArnoldFriend,inanirritatedvoice,yelledatEllietomovetotheback seat"Itoldyousomanytimestomoveandyou'restillhere?"hesaid"I'msosorry,honeyHewillbeoutofthe frontseat,andyouwillsitdown,andwewillrideoffintothesunsettogether."Elliegotoutofthecartomoveto thebackseatandthat'swhenConniewasfinallyabletolookathimcarefullyHisbodywasshortandhisface lookedextremelyold.Wrinkles...

ofgriefShecouldn'tgetawayfromtheinvisiblegatessurroundingandtrappingherasifshewereahunted animal.Therideseemedlikeajourney,goingonforeverandever.Tryingtopryinformationcausally,Connie wouldaskArnold,"Whereareyoutakingme?"Arnoldjustturnedaroundandgaveherthatsleepysmileofhis and,"Don'tchaworry'boutathinghoney.Youaresafewithme."Hissmile,thatreassuringyetmysterioussmile quenchedherlongingforhomeanddiminishedthethoughtof

WhoIsArnoldFriendToTheDevil

InJoyceCarolOates'"shortstory""WhereAreYouGoing,WhereHaveYouBeen?",afifteenyearoldgirl namedConniecomesface-to-facewithamannamedArnoldFriend.Oatessuccessfullyportraysthesimilarities betweenArnoldFriendandtheDevilthroughplot,setting,andcharacterizationThroughoutthetext,Oatesshows thereaderArnoldFriend'scharacteristicsinisterabilitytodrawinConnieandmanipulateherthroughwhatshe lovesthemostThedatareveals,"Heliftedhisfriend'sarm

CharacterAnalysisOfArnoldFriend

ArnoldFriend,JoyceCarolOates'santagonistin"WhereAreYouGoing,WhereHaveYouBeen?"isamanthat persuadesConnie,thefifteen-year-oldprotagonistandtargetofArnold'sthirst,intoabandoningherhome,her familyandsuccumbingtohispower.Observedthroughthesupernaturallens,ArnoldFriendcanbedescribedasa malevolentforcethatdisplaysmanycharacteristicsofavampire.Thestoryisthirdperson(limitedomniscient) toldfromConnie'spointofviewandConnie'sdreadfulintroduction

experiencewhensheisconfrontedbyArnoldFriendwhileatherhomealoneShedoeshowevershowgreat resilienceinheruphillbattlebetweenherowndesiresandfears,swoonbythismanandhismysterybutterrified bytheimplicationshemakes.Shemakesadecisionnotofself-preservationbutofselflesscouragetoprotecther familywhomshelovesdearlyAtthispivotalmomentinthestoryonecouldagreewithTierceandCraftonasthey suggestthatArnoldFriendfreesherofthismystery,ofthese...

ShortStoryArnoldFriend

neighborhood,fromtheviewpointofateenager:drive-ins,dating,restaurants,shoppingmalls,movietheaters,and "ranch"-typehomes.ThissettinglooksalotlikeatypicalAmericandevelopmenttoday,afewpopcultural referencesdatethestory:ArnoldFriend'sget-upwithslickhairandtightpantsisanodtotheleadingteenstarsof theday,suchasElvisPresleyandJamesDeanArnold'scompanionEllieislisteningtoaradioshowonahandheldtransistorradio,(firstsoldin1954)thesame...

CharacterAnalysisOfArnoldFriend

two-faced,insecuregirlwithasmartmouthandresentmenttowardsherfamilymembersInthebeginningofthe story,OatessetsthescenewithConnieoutwithherfriend,whomshethenditchestohangoutwithsomerandom guyshemetatthedinerEverythingseemstobegoingpredictably,untiltheunimaginablehappenswhenArnold Friendpullsintoherdriveway,beckoninghertocomeoutsidesinceheknowsherfamilyisn'thome.Heknows thisbecausehehasconvincedhimselfthatConnieisinlove...

Arnold'sFriend"Everythingaboutherhadtwosidestoit,oneforhomeandoneforanywherethatwasnothome" (200)ThisquotedepictsthelifethatConnielivesConnieisatall,skinny,andprettyfifteenyearoldgirlShe lovestogooutwithherfriends,andspendhereveningswithboysatmoviesanddiners.ThisConnie,thatlovesto haveagoodtime,isunknowntoherfamily.Shelivesatotallydifferentlifewhensheisathome.Connieappears tobeatotallydifferentpersontoher

ArnoldFriendCompareAndContrast

thesepeoplegenuinely?ArnoldFriend,intheshortstory,"WhereAreYouGoing,WhereHaveYouBeen"by JoyceCarolOates,managedtodeceivewithhisfalsecharacteristicsArnoldFriendwasbroughttolifefrom Oates'simaginationofthemischievousserialkillerCharlesSchmid.ArnoldFriendandCharlesSchmidsimilarly attemptedtodeludewithfalseattributes,hadaninterestinwomen,deceivedwomen,bothtriedtocreateafalse imagineforthemselves,howeverFriendknewabouteverythingabout...

ACloserLookAtArnoldFriend

JoyceCarolOate'sacloserlookatArnoldFriendInJoyceCarolOate's"WhereAreYouGoing,WhereHaveYou Been?"weareintroducedtoArnoldFriendFriendembodiesaclassicalvillainthatreadershavebeenexposedto throughoutthehistoryoftime,awolfinsheep'sclothing.MuchofFriendscharacterismodeledafterCharles Perrault,LittleRedRidingHood'sownwolfCertainlythereareobviousdifferencesin"WhereAreYouGoing? WhereHaveYouBeen?"andinthefolktaleofLittle...

ather,thatnighttheyexchangedarelativelylongconversationofseeminglynoconsequenceThispresumedboy wasArnoldFriendacharactersoontoreturn.Thatnightbutoneofherdaydreams,themusicechoingthroughthe naivemindofacarefreeteenagerherfamilyisgoingouttoeatandsherefusestogodespiteorpossiblyinspiteof hermother'sscorn.TheentityofArnoldappearsagain,almosttimedwiththedepartureofConnie'sfamily.She opensthedoortoseehimstandingbyhiscar

WhatDoesArnoldFriendRepresent

Whatdothenumbers33,19,17representandwhatdoesArnoldFriend'scharacterrepresentorwhat/whoishis characterbasedoffof?EachindividualmayhaveadifferentinterpretationofJoyceCarolOates'shortstory "WhereAreYouGoing,AndWhereHaveYouBeen?",butdespitethedifferencesinthewaywecomprehendthe story,itisquiteobviousthatJoyceCarolOateshadbasedoneofthemaincharacters,ArnoldFriend,offof somethingorsomeoneThetitleofthestoryandwhatiswritten

StrangerArnoldFriendCharacterAnalysis

shehasrealizedherbeautyandhaschosentomakethatobvious.Hertwenty-four-year-oldsisterJuneseemstobe thecompleteoppositeofherandoutofherfamily,Connieistheleastmoralcharacterinthestory;nonetheless, whenstrangerArnoldFriendisintroduced,readersquestionifheisafigmentofConnie'simaginationduetoher excessofconfidence.WhatstandsoutmostaboutConnieishervanity,whichisexpressedgreatlythroughoutthe story"Shewasfifteenandshehadaquick