Arnold Friend Symbolism

Where are you going? Where have you been? Analysis on religious parallels.

In the short story by Joyce Carol Oates cleverly uses several different types of imagery and other literary devices to effectively parallel the story between severally religious story’s and symbolism. Oates gives several hints and subtle displays of the stories and the meanings behind those of the bible and Oates also relies heavily on the devil and sacrificial lamb scenario. In some of these teachings we learn that good does not always triumph over evil, especially in the purity of innocence like the main character had Connie. Arnold Friend is a cold truth that the world can easily influence you and persuade you and immediately take that purity away from you if you
He appeared out of nowhere and we the readers are left without explanation of where he went. Arnold Friend cunningly evaded Connie’s defense and slithered into her mind to convince her to come out side with his warped, forked lounge. Arnold Friend represents the devil. As the devil often preys on the innocent Arnold Friend preyed on young Connie like the Wolf to a lamb for slaughter. Arnold Friend and his pal in the back seat Ellie role up in a tarnished gold crappy car representing false idols and wealth where from far away the car looks great but up close it is horrid and cheap. Inside the car are spray painted on 33:19:17, 33 is the age that Jesus Christ was when he was crucified, it also stands for a biblical verse. His eyes were “chips of broken glass that catch the light”, being as how the eyes are the gateway to the soul, Arnold Friend indeed had no soul. Arnold Friend wears black clothing and boots as a devil coming to make a deal would. Arnold Friend also had the tongue of the devil, Friend would tempt, smooth talk, and threaten Connie to come outside and take a ride with him, and he certainly wasn’t taking no for an answer. Arnold also wore pancake make up to mask his age and appearance much like the Fallen Angel would do in order to trick or manipulate the person or in this situation Connie. Arnold Friend is as the snake in the Garden of Eden when the snake tempted Eve to partake of the forbidden fruit from the
Even when going to the mall then being sneaky and crossing the road to go to the drive in, her “sanctuary” that often played background music “like a church service”, another religious parallel that Oates gives the reader that her church service is the drive in resurant where all the older kids hang out. Connie is displaying youthful innocence and naive immaturity in realizing the danger she could be in, she is the lamb, young , pure and innocent. Connie rarely goes to church and her father is not a father at all, a mere figurehead that has no interaction with the family at all. The relationship with the mother is not much better, they often fight because Connie is always doing her hair or dressing up while the mom usually wears her robe and slippers. Connie and her sister are as well complete opposites, one is a rule follower and never says a word out of place and Connie is the rebellious young pretty one. Although with the sad relationships Connie had with her family, she made the ultimate sacrifice when Arnold Friend threatened to kill them if she did not come outside. Connie also fails to realize the power she has for through Arnold Friends long and convicting list of threats and remarks, Arnold never, not once, takes a step inside the door. That is also a religious parallel, the devil cannot enter a