Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Arnold Friend Character Analysis
One story from the short story unit that depicts impossibilities is “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been.” Connie’s vanity is not abnormal; many teenagers who are her age and attractive act the same way. The impossibility of the story appears in the form of Arnold Friend. Whether he is Satan, a serial killer, Jesus, Bob Dylan, or none of the above, his presence seems odd. Arnold Friend seems to know too much about Connie’s life to simply be a stalker. He know that the rest of Connie’s family is at her aunt’s house. Arnold says while “squinting as if he were staring all the way to town and over to Aunt Tillie’s backyard,” that her family is sitting around and “right now they’re -- uh -- they’re drinking” (Oates 413). He also claims to be
eighteen, but Connie knows that he is “much older -- thirty, maybe more” (Oates 411).
Though many things about Connie’s situation seem odd, there is a sense of reality there. People who are vain or who love themselves, especially young girls, are often ostracized for it. Throughout the story, Connie is put down by her mother for valuing her appearance. Her mother constantly compares Connie to her plain sister, June. In real life, many child predators play into the wants and fears of young people to gain their trust. When Arnold Friend is watching the people at the barbecue he says, “There’s your sister in a blue dress, huh? And high heels, that poor sad bitch -- nothing like you, sweetheart!” (Oates 413). By saying this, he’s appealing to Connie’s wants and fears by saying that she’s better than June, something she doesn’t hear often. Arnold Friend also plays into Connie’s vanity by complimenting her. Another example of something impossible with a parallel in real life is at the end when Arnold Friend’s “words were not angry but only part of an incantation” (Oates 418). The “incantation” causes Connie to go with him and it juxtaposes with the way child predators and traffickers gain children’s trust.
eighteen, but Connie knows that he is “much older -- thirty, maybe more” (Oates 411).
Though many things about Connie’s situation seem odd, there is a sense of reality there. People who are vain or who love themselves, especially young girls, are often ostracized for it. Throughout the story, Connie is put down by her mother for valuing her appearance. Her mother constantly compares Connie to her plain sister, June. In real life, many child predators play into the wants and fears of young people to gain their trust. When Arnold Friend is watching the people at the barbecue he says, “There’s your sister in a blue dress, huh? And high heels, that poor sad bitch -- nothing like you, sweetheart!” (Oates 413). By saying this, he’s appealing to Connie’s wants and fears by saying that she’s better than June, something she doesn’t hear often. Arnold Friend also plays into Connie’s vanity by complimenting her. Another example of something impossible with a parallel in real life is at the end when Arnold Friend’s “words were not angry but only part of an incantation” (Oates 418). The “incantation” causes Connie to go with him and it juxtaposes with the way child predators and traffickers gain children’s trust.