Analysis Of Arnold Friend

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The Devil as Your Friend Have you ever wondered why or how people can manipulate themselves as the devil to receive what they desire? In “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”, a short fictional story by Joyce Carol Oates, the devil is allegedly hidden as one of the main characters, Arnold Friend. Through characterization, setting, and plot, Joyce Carol Oates successfully portrays Arnold Friend as a symbolic Satan. Arnold Friend is similar to Satan in his characterization provided by Joyce Carol Oates. Arnold Friend disguises himself in ways to hide all his negative features from Connie, as he seems less threatening this way. Urbanski writes, “His features appear more ominous, his hair like a wig, his slitted eyes ‘like chips of broken …show more content…

He takes advantage of what is already available and uses it to manipulate Connie into thinking that where they are going only has positive results. As displayed in this short story, Arnold comes to Connie's location when no one else is around (Oates 2). Usually, when people are alone, they are more susceptible to strangers and other currently unknown predicaments. Arnold Friend knows this, and takes advantage. The devil may have the same goal to ensure no one can stop him. Arnold Friend is also tempting Connie to come with him to somewhere that harm can be done. The devil is often presented as “tempting victims to their fate, which is Hell” (Easterly). Arnold is trying to convince Connie to leave through threats and tempts of a fun and enjoyable time, for Arnold Friend that is. This could be recognized as Hell in the story. Poor things could happen as a result of negative people. Similarly, Arnold Friend is using the future setting as a way to tempt like the devil. Joan Easterly points out, “(Arnold Friend) threatens her as he tries to take her out in the country where it smells so nice and it's sunny” (Easterly). To Connie in another context, the sunny and nice smelling country would be appealing. Arnold Friend knows this and uses it to have him appear less threatening. Both him and the devil use the resources available to please their victim(s). The setting is a …show more content…

"The Shadow Of A Satyr In Oate's `Where Are You Going, Where.." Studies In Short Fiction 27.4 (1990): 537. Academic Search Premier. Web. 26 Oct. 2017. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=9705100587&site=ehost-live
Oates, Joyce Carol. “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”.1966, pp.1-9
Rubin, Larry. "Oates's 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?'." EXPLORING Short Stories, Gale, 2003. Research in Context, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=MSIC&sw=w&u=avl_madi&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CEJ2112200150&asid=cbab0f9a10d83577dfebdd9906fb0f99. Accessed 30 Oct. 2017.
Urbanski, Marie Mitchell Olesen. "Existential Allegory: Joyce Carol Oates 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?'." Studies in Short Fiction (Spring 1978): 200-203. Rpt. in Contemporary Literary Criticism. Ed. Dedria Bryfonski. Vol. 11. Detroit: Gale, 1979. Literature Resource Center. Web. 26 Oct.

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