Arnold Friend
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document in English
literature
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published 14/09/2007
review : Completed
level : Expert
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Summary“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” is a short story written by Joyce Carol Oates. On the surface the narrative is fairly generic. The plot follows a 15 year old girl named Connie who is a typical teen - shallow, and self consumed. She spends her days at the mall, listening to the radio, and boy watching. However, it soon becomes clear that this story has a very dark undertone. Joyce Carol Oates has commented that this short story is a “realistic allegory” and that she uses characters in the narrative to represent abstract ideas. A common theme in much of Oates’ work is her belief that the 20th century is spiritually empty. That people have no “spirit” of their own and therefore are easily influenced and harmed. In “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” Oates’ creates the character of Arnold Friend to be the antagonist. He is intense and powerful, and as the story continues he is like a dark persistent cloud that weighs heavy on Connie and the reader. Arnold Friend is the physical embodiment of the devil and his omnipotence allows him to know and abuse Connie’s insecurities for his own uses.
Table of Contents
- 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been'' is a short story written by Joyce Carol Oates.
- Arnold Friend does not exist. He appears only to Connie, and Connie is the only person who sees him
- Oates also describes Arnold's car as 'a convertible jalopy painted gold (2),' and later in the story Connie easily recognizes the car as it pulls into her driveway
- Yes, I'm your lover. You don't know what that is but you will
- Arnold Friend uses Connie's insecurities to make her come to him
- When Connie questions who Arnold is, he claims they know each other and have the same friends by listing their names
- Arnold Friend is the embodiment of evil intent.
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