Arnold Friend Symbolism

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In Joyce Carol Oates “Where are you going, Where have you been”, we see a teenage girl, Connie. Connie was a typical teenage girl, she showed a modest amount of decorum when it was necessary, enjoyed nights out with friends, and loved looking at herself in the mirror. She had minor conflicts with her mother, like most do, but had a good relationship with her older sister, June. One Sunday morning, the whole family abstained from church, and Connie skipped the family barbeque. While she was alone, a car pulled up to the house, this car was that of a man, Arnold Friend. A slender man, with a lanky, but muscular stature, clearly not any age near Connie’s, and with an unkempt aura. In this story, Arnold Friend is a human interpretation of the devil, and Connie represents …show more content…
Arnold's partner, Ellie, seems irrelevant and useless in the development of the story, until the connection to the devil is made. Ellie creates a constant threat, and assists Arnold by solidifying Arnold’s guise. Ellie also represents one of the devil's minions, in the shadow of Arnold, but increasing the devil's presence through constant intimidation. The story “Where are you going, Where have you been” is a timeless story that represents predation, deceit, malevolence, and much more. The story's main characters, both Connie and Arnold Friend, represent sin and the devil, and link to a deep, biblical meaning. Through his techniques, seductive ways, deceitful mind, and malicious intent, Arnold Friend is a clear, true depiction of the devil. Connie represents sin throughout daily life. A form of sin which is directly tied to biblical roots, but less jeopardizing than that of Arnold Friend. Arnold Friend and Connie’s interaction creates a very real and unglorified look at an issue present in the current world. Joyce Carol Oates brings light to the general problem, and a very profound message and tie to biblical references is

Arnold Friend Symbolism

presumably leads her to be raped and killed by an older man. Oates uses characterization, allusion, and symbolism in order to illustrate the dangers of the increasing commonality of tempting maturity too soon. One way Oates shows the widespread threat of this issue is through the characterization of Connie. Oates makes an intentional effort to portray Connie…

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Analysis of “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” Essay

after reading about a serial killer that was referred to as “The Pied Piper of Tucson”. Oates was disturbed by the number of teenagers that this killer was able to persuade to help him and keep his secrets (Oates 1). Oates uses irony, imagery, and symbolism to support her theme of evil in this short story. Oates starts off by introducing the story’s 15 year old protagonist, Connie. Connie is symbolic of innocence and good. However, Connie has…

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Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Literary Analysis Essay

the short story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been”, illustrates the horrors and temptations that teenagers face in their growth to adulthood, with her use of the literary elements of characterization and symbolism. Oates develops her two main characters, Connie and Arnold Friend, so that the readers can connect their descriptions to the real world. Connie is a vain and relatable fifteen year old. In her world, being pretty is everything. The reader learns this quickly when the narrator urged…

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Unprepared Symbolism

people in general want freedom and independence and how they chose to ignore the consequences. One element that Oates uses to communicate the theme is Symbolism. For example, the car symbolizes someone that is independent, important, and confident. Driving a flashy golden convertible will sure get you noticed sticking out like a sore thumb. Arnold uses his car to attract younger victims, especially girls. It also gives him the appearance of being younger, masking his real age and intentions. It is…

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Smooth Talk Essay

knowing of what Connie’s family is doing is another similarity that is shown in both the movie and book that creates an eerie mood. Though in the book A. Friend is more heavily described as creepy, old, and heavily disguised the movie creates that same interpretation with use of eerie music that also gives you a speculative mood of Arnold Friend without the giveaway as the book shows. Joyce Carol Oates also shares views that Smooth Talk was a great interpretation of her own work. She even agrees…

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Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Summary

soul-shivering depiction of Arnold Friend's cunning strategies and Connie's Godoy 3 susceptibility by Joyce Carol Oates signifies that we are exposed to a huge danger when socializing, which sends deep concern. Using her character as a tool, Oates uncovers dreadful behavioral patterns that allow firebugs to make unsuspecting targets their own, thus representing society's dark side. In his insightful analysis, "Impure Realism: As D. F. Hurley exposes the complexity of Arnold Friend's character and his…

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Arnold Friend

character and the story on a deeper level. All these experiences lead to her encounter with the predator, Arnold Friend. The deeper we get into the story, the more information Oates gives us. This detail-oriented story allows us to truly understand Connie and the complexities of her journey. It walks us through the dangers young girls…

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Where Are You Going Where Have You Been

nagging Connie. Connie is often so miserable that she wishes she and her mother were dead. The majority of the story, after Arnold Friend shows up, takes place with Connie standing in the doorway. This symbolizes her being stuck between a child and an adult. In the end she chooses to walk through the doorway and into adulthood, saving her family from the violence of Arnold but at the expense of…

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Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?

the bazaar, Araby. Joyce uses vivid imagery and symbolism. They highlight the boy's yearning and his final understanding of the world's harshness.…

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SHORT STORY ESSAY

Dhesi 1 Ranvir Dhesi Mr.Depew ENG3U November 10th , 2014 Initiation Symbolism and Conflict In the short story Initiation written by Sylvia Plath the protagonist Millicent Arnold is undergoing a long and difficult set of trials and tribulations with the hopes of being accepted into the most elite sorority at her high school. One of the challenges has Millicent asking people on the bus what they had eaten for breakfast. While doing this she learns about the Heather birds which essentially do whatever they want to…

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