Devil In Joyce Carol Oates Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?
Hunter Vernon
English 1100
Charles Radcliffe
Essay 2, draft 1
Devil in Disguise
In Joyce Carol Oates’ “Where are you going, where have you been?”, Oates tells the story of a young girl named Connie, who is vain, self-centered, rude to her parents, and in an incredible hurry to grow up. She has two different personalities, “one for home, and one for anywhere that was not home.” Everything about her including her smile, her laugh, and her walk transforms as soon as she steps out her front door. Connie, the protagonist of the story, wants to be a part of the world of “big kids” until a shiny golden convertible pulls up one day in her driveway and the mysterious Arnold Friend emerges. Oates uses in-depth characterization and symbolism …show more content…
Connie notes that the more Arnold Friend talks to her, the more he sounds like he is either reciting lyrics from pop hits or imitating a radio personality. This is definitely apparent when he is addressing Ellie, the boy who stands by Arnold as Beelzebub stood by Satan. When Ellie offers to jerk Connie’s phone out of the wall, Arnold first flatly orders him to shut up, and then continues with “Don’t hem in on me. Don’t hog. Don’t crush. Don’t bird dog. Don’t trail me.” If the Devil is to succeed in seducing his victim, he must first find a way to communicate them in a pleasing and familiar language. In Albert Friend’s case, it is with radio talk.
Arnold Friend’s wardrobe and overall appearance further contribute to the appeal of his evil. He is wearing “tight faded jeans stuffed into black, scuffed boots” and a white pullover shirt that emphasizes his muscle tone. Oates suggests that Arnold Friend was molded from his image, and was intended to have the “aura of a rock star.” Furthermore, Oates stresses that the more Arnold Friend speaks, the louder and more conspicuous the music from Ellie’s radio becomes. The volume of the music seems to correspond to Arnold’s power over Connie, and her resistance level weakens as the music grows in …show more content…
His intimidating speech shatters all bravery and courage that Connie had left and she “frantically runs in her house, fumbles to lock the screen door, and curls up in an obscure corner of the house, cradling the phone.”Not worried at all, Arnold does says he will not go into the house unless she tries to phone for help. As the Devil cannot tread on hallowed ground, Arnold Friend apparently cannot tread in Connie’s home, so the house acts somewhat like a sanctuary for Connie. Arnold seems to realize that he must make her submit by her own free will. He knows, as the Devil knows, that a victim cannot be taken by simple brute force. As long as Connie has one ounce of resistance left in her, Arnold cannot be victorious. However, in the end Arnold’s power is too strong and he finally makes Connie
English 1100
Charles Radcliffe
Essay 2, draft 1
Devil in Disguise
In Joyce Carol Oates’ “Where are you going, where have you been?”, Oates tells the story of a young girl named Connie, who is vain, self-centered, rude to her parents, and in an incredible hurry to grow up. She has two different personalities, “one for home, and one for anywhere that was not home.” Everything about her including her smile, her laugh, and her walk transforms as soon as she steps out her front door. Connie, the protagonist of the story, wants to be a part of the world of “big kids” until a shiny golden convertible pulls up one day in her driveway and the mysterious Arnold Friend emerges. Oates uses in-depth characterization and symbolism …show more content…
Connie notes that the more Arnold Friend talks to her, the more he sounds like he is either reciting lyrics from pop hits or imitating a radio personality. This is definitely apparent when he is addressing Ellie, the boy who stands by Arnold as Beelzebub stood by Satan. When Ellie offers to jerk Connie’s phone out of the wall, Arnold first flatly orders him to shut up, and then continues with “Don’t hem in on me. Don’t hog. Don’t crush. Don’t bird dog. Don’t trail me.” If the Devil is to succeed in seducing his victim, he must first find a way to communicate them in a pleasing and familiar language. In Albert Friend’s case, it is with radio talk.
Arnold Friend’s wardrobe and overall appearance further contribute to the appeal of his evil. He is wearing “tight faded jeans stuffed into black, scuffed boots” and a white pullover shirt that emphasizes his muscle tone. Oates suggests that Arnold Friend was molded from his image, and was intended to have the “aura of a rock star.” Furthermore, Oates stresses that the more Arnold Friend speaks, the louder and more conspicuous the music from Ellie’s radio becomes. The volume of the music seems to correspond to Arnold’s power over Connie, and her resistance level weakens as the music grows in …show more content…
His intimidating speech shatters all bravery and courage that Connie had left and she “frantically runs in her house, fumbles to lock the screen door, and curls up in an obscure corner of the house, cradling the phone.”Not worried at all, Arnold does says he will not go into the house unless she tries to phone for help. As the Devil cannot tread on hallowed ground, Arnold Friend apparently cannot tread in Connie’s home, so the house acts somewhat like a sanctuary for Connie. Arnold seems to realize that he must make her submit by her own free will. He knows, as the Devil knows, that a victim cannot be taken by simple brute force. As long as Connie has one ounce of resistance left in her, Arnold cannot be victorious. However, in the end Arnold’s power is too strong and he finally makes Connie