First, I would like to say that the story “Where Are You Going, Where have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates has my pressure through the roof. This was a very chilling story. Arnold Friend used Connie’s insecurities to get to her. He knew everything about her, and one of the things he knew was the lack of attention she received because of her beautiful sister Joan. He was able to pretend to be a teenager, and Connie didn’t pay attention to the truth, until things started getting really creepy. Rena Korb article gives different interpretations of the story, in which I can agree with certain perspectives, such as Connie being joined with the “Prince of Darkness”. Arnold used his charming ways for Connie to have some sort of infatuation with him, and just like that, he turned into an older creep that she tried to get away from, but it was too late. One’s perspective also stated that Arnold was the devil. Which I can also say is my perspective on the story as well. Arnold has telepathic vision, in which he can see what Connie family is doing. He also was able to take control of Connie’s mind body and soul. She doesn’t realize where she is, he was able to continuously stab her without stepping foot into the house, and at the end she willingly went outside to him into a green field, assuming that’s where the dead go.
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