Arnold Friend Symbolism
The definition of a fiend is an individual that is evil or is considered the devil. When I realized that taking out the letter r from “friend” would give you “fiend”, I couldn’t imagine writing it off as a coincidence. The devil is characterized as manipulative, deceitful, murderous, and alluring. Arnold Friend is the antagonist in Joyce Carol Oates, "Where are you going, where have you been?”. The protagonist, Connie, is a 15 year old girl who does not have the greatest relationship with her family and does not have a relationship with God. When Arnold Friend appears at her front door, Connie is intrigued and attracted by this man as she wishes she looked better in front of him, and Connie is a miserable teenager who wants space away from …show more content…
The “x” sign could symbolize him as the devil. To support this, it reads, “Didn't you see me put my sign in the air when you walked by?’ What sign?’ My sign.’ And he drew an X in the air, leaning out toward her” (Oates 5). Arnold consistently tells her it's “his sign”, insinuating that the X symbolizes him. Arnold Friend shows his supernatural abilities as he is aware of what is happening at the party at the moment, despite not being physically present, and knowing of the passing of the old lady that lived next door. According to the short story, it states, “Aunt Tillies. Right now they’re uh- they’re drinking. Sitting around’, he said vaguely”(Oates 6). How could he know who aunt Tillie was? He then brings up the neighbor as he says, “Hey, you know that old woman down the road, the one with chickens and stuff- you know her?” (Oates 6). How could he possibly know about the old lady and the chickens if she is already dead or not around for him to get access to that kind of information? Since he's not there to observe these occurrences that he is bringing up, this leads me to believe that he has abilities and powers similar to ones that the devil would possess. He could also be deceiving Connie with information that can appear as accurate and truthful but knows he is lying. In the Bible, it writes, “Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (Kail 1), referring to the
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Analysis Essay
545 Words | 3 PagesOates builds a tension that is released when Connie is forced to choose between her freedom and her safety through her descriptions of Connie's character, her encounters with Arnold Friend, and her choices. Connie's craving for independence and her susceptibility to Arnold Friend's scheming is understood by Oates, who highlights the need to make a responsible choice and the dangers of acting on instinct. Oates creates a strong contrast between these two forces via symbolism, imagery, and personality, finally leading Connie to face her mortality and the effects of her naivete.
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Arnold Friend Essay
1557 Words | 7 PagesWhen Arnold Friend threatens to hurt her family if she does not come with him, it made Connie go with Friend (Oates 136). Lynn Z Bloom discusses how her and her own class were discussing “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” when she started to discuss her own horrific encounter with a person like Friend. Bloom said that although she started screaming she stopped because, “then I thought, still screaming, ‘I don’t want my children to hear this.’” (825).
Arnold Friend Symbolism
1595 Words | 7 Pages“The Devil doesn’t come dressed in a red cape and pointy horns. He comes as everything you ever wished for…” -Tucker Max. This idea is certainly proven in “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been” by Joyce Carol Oates. The story recounts the day of Connie, a fifteen year old girl with neglectful parents, rebellious intentions, and an infatuation for older men.
What Is The Theme Of Arnold Friend
952 Words | 4 PagesDrew Dillon Juan Espinoza EN102 23 February 2023 Arnold is Not Your Friend In the story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” By Joyce Carol Oates, the author presents the reader with a very dark tale featuring themes of predator versus prey, corruption versus innocence, and freedom versus control. The character Arnold Friend at first appears to be a charmer, thanks to his actions and statements made within the story we are able to eventually see his true nature as a a manipulative and evil predator, preying and corrupting the innocencne of the 15 year old protagonist, Connie. Arnold Friend is introduced into the story when Connie has declined an outing with her parents and she is home alone.
Analysis Of Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?
607 Words | 3 PagesOne day while she was home alone, a man named Arnold Friend showed up at her door. He wanted to take her out for a ride and go on a date. Connie was cautious around him due to how old he looked and his sexual remarks towards her. Strange things began to happen and she eventually left with Arnold Friend. The story does not give a clear explanation as to what happened to Connie, but it was not a good thing.
Arnold Friend Theme
413 Words | 2 PagesFor example, Connie listened to the music that made everything even good, “ the music was always in the background like music at a church service, it was something to depend upon”. And, it is music that lures Connie, just as many teens of Dylan 's era were lured by his lyrics and music, although Ms. Oates does not perceive Dylan 's as subversive or dangerous. Interestingly, however, to deceive Connie, Arnold Friend mimics Dylan in the
Figurative Language In 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?'
1033 Words | 5 PagesAnd high heels” (Oates 71-71). At this point, in the short story, it is apparent that Arnold Friend is not an average person. Nobody can see exactly what everyone is doing and what they are wearing making it apparent Arnold is not a friend at all but a monster. The author also gives Arnold Friend the ability to alter one's thought process through music and his words. When Connie is around Arnold she felt “a wave of dizziness rise in her”
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Arnold Friend Character
890 Words | 4 PagesArnold Friend was there to take Connie away; away from her childhood and home, which never quite felt like home until her fantasy world deteriorated and reality set it. The next moment is pivotal, this is when Connie forgets her hedonism and becomes something of much more substance. Before Connie studies Arnold Friend’s abnormal personality and erratic behavior she is fascinated by him and even worries that she is ill prepared for this
Examples Of Allusions In Where Are You Going Where Have You Been
854 Words | 4 PagesHe tries to seduce and persuade her to go with him for a ride similar to how the Devil lured Eve with a shiny and mysterious apple. Oates displays evidence of biblical allusions regarding Arnold Friend’s appearance and persona in the story by depicting his physical characteristics, his supernatural knowledge, and his demeanor as an image of evil. Connie wants to be desired for her sexuality and Arnold possesses this by his tone throughout the story. His appearance comes
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Arnold Friend Comparison
1190 Words | 5 PagesIn Joyce Carol Oates fictional short story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” the majority of the story lies beneath the surface. More specifically than just the story, you realize that there is more to the character Arnold Friend than what may appear. The author has always remained silent and ambiguous about the real meaning of Arnold Friend’s true nature and she leaves room for the readers to make their own interpretation of him. Readers can analyze Arnold Friend and see him as the devil, he could just be the personification of popular music imagined by Connie in a dream, but Arnold Friend could also be the result of drug use.
Arnold Friend In Joyce Carol Oates 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been'
634 Words | 3 PagesThe strongest villain we have encountered in literature thus far is Arnold Friend. Premiering in Joyce Carol Oates’ “Where are you going, where have you been,” Arnold Friend is inspired by a true story. In 1960, there was a man that preyed on young girls in Arizona, later called the “Pied Piper of Tucson.” Although this man wore obviously fake makeup and clothes, he befriended the young teenage girls with his charm and sweet talk. Similar to the real man, Arnold Friend is a character that talks his way out of every question he is asked by everyone. Arnold Friend is a man of deception, hiding behind his disguise as a teenage boy, whose charisma allows him to get what he wants.
What Does The Rosebush Symbolize In The Scarlet Letter
1190 Words | 5 PagesBy using these symbols Hawthorne wants to teach us, readers, that words have deeper meanings than what they come across as. He wants us to know good and evil can take place in one spot. The main character in this story is Hester Prynne, who is a protagonist and has committed the awful sin of adultery. As a punishment for her sin, she now wears a scarlet letter “A” on her chest which stands
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Literary Analysis
694 Words | 3 PagesOates’s biography explained her fiction writing as a mixture violence and sexual obsession. The writing style definitely fits the plot point of this story with both of her literary ingredients being present in not only Arnold Friend but in Connie as well. The Protagonist Connie is presented in a very self-centered way. She is obsessed with her looks and often fantasizes about all the boys she meets.
Sin And Guilt In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter
455 Words | 2 PagesAnother manifestation in the scarlet letter is the Meteor with an engraved “A” on it. Dimmesdale thinks he should wear a scarlet letter too and thinks God is exposing him and see it as a mutual sin,however everyone in the puritan community thinks it stands for “angel”. The scarlet letter manifests itself on Dimmesdale's chest. It symbolizes the effects of secret sin and that it can ultimatly kill you in the
The Symbolism Of 'A' In The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne
959 Words | 4 PagesWith Hester changing her ways and helping the poor, the community changed, “They said that it meant Able; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman’s strength” (Hawthorne 168). While the community originally viewed the “A” as a symbol of sin, they began to see it too as a symbol of being “Able” because all that Hester Prynne had overcome. The Scarlet Letter had many examples of symbolism, but none were more significant that the letter “A”
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