Arnold Friend Symbolism

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Humans in the past did not know as much as they do today. In the article, “Where are You Going, Where Have You Been” by Joyce Carol Oates show that people back in the day did not know what was the best thing to do when it comes to a situation. The article tells us about a danger in society who is a guy named, Arnold Friend who “threatened” a girl named Connie. Arnold Friend represents the story of the Pipe Piper of Tucson and also the devil. Arnold represents the Pipe Piper of Tucson because they both have something to do with music. As it states in the article, “It’s real nice and you couldn’t ask for nobody better than me, more polite...etc.” pg 4. “She backed away from the door. She put her hands up against her ears as if she’d heard something terrible..” pg 5. These quote shows that Arnold Friend is using the lyrics from a song to get her to get out of the house. This emphasizes that he and the Pipe Piper both are similar. Another example that Arnold Friend represents the Pipe Piper is that when “Connie began to hear the music. It was the same program …show more content…
He also represents the devil because he does things that no ordinary person can do what the devil(Arnold) can do. The author said, “He ain’t coming. He’s at a barbecue.” “ Aunt Tillie’s. Right now they’re uh- they’re drinking. Sitting around...”pg4. These quote shows us that Arnold knows that Connie’s family are doing on the other side of town. No normal person can do that. Arnold Friend emphasizes the devil/demon because the devil/demons have special powers and Arnold has abnormal powers. All these examples prove to us that Arnold Friend represent the Pipe Piper of Tucson and the devil/demon. This article shows us that people in the past did not know what was a good thing to do when they are in a situation. People today knows more and have more knowledge and we are smarter than we are

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