Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Arnold Friend Analysis

Is She Dreaming? The short story Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been by Joyce Carol is a about a young teenage girl. Her name is Connie. Connie is self-centered and conceited because of her looks. She’s only concerned about herself. In addition, the author also describes her as being somewhat boy crazy (Carol 160). She spends time thinking and day dreaming about older boys (Benignetti). This shows you that it excites her in a way. She is eager to know more guys and put herself out there to talk to all kinds of guys. In the story an older guy named Arnold Friend shows up on her doorstep asking for her to go for a ride with him. This is kind of odd to begin with. Arnold Friend seems to be a figment of her imagination. Connie’s need and …show more content…
“At the personality level, Acceptance means being warm and friendly and letting others in.” (Acceptance - Personality & Spirituality). Being accepted pushes you to attend more to your looks and gives you a warm feeling inside that can make you feel delighted (Acceptance - Personality & Spirituality). So in her dream, Arnold Friend represents someone kind of like her, with the same interest. For an example, Arnold cares a lot about his appearance also. The way he dresses and the car he drives indicates that. Arnold also seems to strive for acceptance from Connie so they “automatically feel drawn to” each other (Acceptance - Personality & Spirituality). Although he seems to look like her dream guy, this is where her dream turns in to her nightmare (Benignetti). At first Connie was eager to meet him because there was something about him that she was attracted to. Then she becomes very alarmed when he tells her that he knew everything about her and where her family is at the moment (Carol 166). In your dreams most times you can’t always manipulate a situation to be what you want it to be so this is why Arnold comes off as aggressive. Connie is having a