Arnold Friend Character Analysis

Determining who somebody really is has become more difficult throughout the years as many people zealously find ways to conceal their true identities in order to blend in or hide from society’s standards. In the stories “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” and “Life After School” by Joyce Carol Oates, the author establishes that each of her primary characters are masking their true identities in order to be seen differently and/or to be accepted by others. Because each of Oates’ characters tries to conceal their true feelings or intent, the primary characters of each story are ultimately left with an unsolvable dilemma. In today’s society it is not uncommon for women, especially teenagers or young adults, to hide their true sexual

Because of her provocative clothing and attitude, Arnold takes a liking in Connie and decides that he will stalk her

Arnold Friend, the antagonist in “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” is an older man who hides his true identity and blends in with younger teenage boys in order to harm Connie, the protagonist. He attempts to take on the role of a young and happy-go-lucky type of man in order to more easily persuade Connie that he is trustworthy and only trying to show her a good time. While Connie and Arnold interact, she notices all the things he wears and the painting of his car, recognizing the style and referring that it is all similar to that of the other boys she’s been with. However, after a few minutes of conversing with Arnold Friend, Connie soon realizes that he isn’t really who he says he is. “She could see then that he wasn’t a kid, he was much older…” (Oates, 832). After his facade is seen through, he quickly becomes more demanding of Connie and develops a more threatening tone. His friendly attitude becomes almost non-existent as he begins to threaten Connie directly and state that he wishes to become her lover, a notion which Connie has most likely not dealt with before. Arnold’s false persona most likely disappeared after her took Connie from her home, and his truer and more vicious identity arose and was ultimately the cause for Connie’s permanent change in personalities through violent