Where Are You Going Where Have You Been The Arnold Friend Symbolism

The text I composed my questions and theories from is “Where are you Going, Where Have you Been?” Initially, this short story captured my interest through its strikingly, realistic scenarios stemming from the protagonist Connie’s attitude towards her mother and sister along with the secret dates with boys at the diner. This text struck me as an ideal choice because of the ambiguous antagonist, Arnold Friend, this character presents several theories of different meanings explaining what the hidden interpretations the author intended. The questions I will answer are what the potential meanings the Arnold Friend character such as: the similarities and potential referencing to the serial killer Charles Schmidt, the possible symbolism as Arnold friend as the Devil and the comparison of …show more content…
(Wells) Schmid was also famous for wearing pancake makeup, dyed black hair, applying a fake mole on his cheek and stuffing his boots with paper or smashed aluminum cans to add height. He lured girls in with his charming personality and flaunt his well-off status by boasting about his fancy car and apartment, throwing elaborate parties and flooding his female companions with gifts. All these characteristics match those of Arnold Friend, the text states “His whole face was a mask, she thought wildly, tanned down to his throat but then running out as if he had plastered make-up on his face, but had forgotten about his throat.” This states the obvious similarities of Schmid as does this quote of Oates’ “He had to bend and adjust his boots. Evidently his feet did not go all the way down; the boots must have stuffed with something so that he would seem taller.” These direct quotes solidify that Arnold Friend was seemingly based on, the serial killer,