Rashad Greaves Discussion 14

Different interpretive perspectives are put forward in Rena Korb’s critical overview, providing a place to start in understanding the narrative. However, my interpretation of the story as a study of power relations, particularly those involving gender and sexuality, has shaped my understanding of it.  At the heart of the story Arnold Friend, a supposedly charismatic and alluring man who poses a serious threat to the story’s adolescent protagonist Connie, is the central figure. Friend is a multifaceted character whose identity is obscured, rather than just a straightforward predator. He blurs the lines between the masculine and the feminine by embodying both. The way that Friend appears, with his painted-on eyebrows and wig, questions conventional ideas of male strength and attractiveness. He plays on Connie’s anxieties and vulnerabilities while manipulating and intimidating her with his remarks.

In this approach, the story could potentially be understood as a critique of the ways in which toxic masculinity and patriarchy are employed to oppress and control women. The men in Connie’s life, from her controlling mother to the scary Arnold Friend, consistently stand in the way of her attempts to claim her own identity and independence. Due to the objectification and sexualization woman experiences from both males and the general public, her sexuality in particular becomes a cause of vulnerability and shame. The story can also be seen as an examination of the dangers of youth and the maturation process. Connie experiences several difficulties as she develops from a naive and self-centered teenager to a more self-aware and compassionate young woman. She is compelled to face both the harsh facts of the world around her and the darker sides of her own ambitions and inclinations.  The story can also be seen as an examination of the dangers of youth and the maturation process. Connie experiences several difficulties as she develops from a naive and self-centered teenager to a more self-aware and compassionate young woman. She is compelled to face both the harsh facts of the world around her and the darker sides of her own ambitions and inclinations.