Arnold friend character analysis. Character Analysis Of Arnold Friend 2022-10-28
Arnold friend character analysis
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Arnold Friend is a character in Joyce Carol Oates's short story "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" who serves as the antagonist of the story. He is a sinister and mysterious figure who preys on the teenage protagonist, Connie.
One of the most striking features of Arnold Friend is his physical appearance. He has a distorted and disfigured face, with one eye higher than the other and a mouth that is twisted into a permanent grin. This physical deformity adds to the sense of unease and danger that surrounds him.
Despite his grotesque appearance, Arnold Friend is able to charm and manipulate Connie with his smooth talk and false promises. He tells her that he knows all about her and even uses her own name, implying that he has been watching her and knows her secrets. This tactic is meant to make Connie feel vulnerable and afraid, and it ultimately works as she becomes increasingly terrified of him.
Another key aspect of Arnold Friend's character is his age. He is much older than Connie and presents himself as a man in his thirties, though it is suggested that he may be much older than that. This age gap adds to the sense of predatory behavior that is present in the story, as Arnold Friend is essentially trying to lure a young and naive girl into his grasp.
Despite his apparent intelligence and charm, Arnold Friend is ultimately revealed to be a twisted and dangerous individual. He is revealed to be the perpetrator of several gruesome murders and is ultimately revealed to be a manifestation of Connie's own fears and desires. In this way, he represents the dangers and temptations that can lurk in the world, waiting to ensnare and consume those who are unprepared to face them.
Overall, Arnold Friend is a complex and intriguing character who serves as a powerful representation of the dangers and temptations that can lurk in the world. His twisted appearance and manipulative behavior make him a formidable and terrifying force, and his ultimate reveal as a manifestation of Connie's own fears and desires adds an additional layer of complexity to his character.
Who Is Arnold Friend Character Analysis
In the story, Oates describes that Connie always lets her mind flow freely in between her daydream. It was a boy with shaggy black hair, in a convertible jalopy painted gold. A major clue that Arnold Friend is not who he says he is comes in the form of his physical appearance. These suspicions were confirmed once he spoke of his intentions. Desperately wanting to be found attractive by older men, she finds herself trying very hard until Arnold Friend shows up in her driveway. He is likely to think unconventionally and act eccentrically to reach his victims.
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Arnold Friend: The Archetype of Evil Character Analysis Essay Example
It is said that actions speak louder than words and it is true. In the end Connie decides that she wants to be a child again and that maturity will come in time. This image raises a lot of interest in Connie. She drew her shoulders up and sucked in her breath with the pure pleasure of being alive, and just at that moment she happened to glance at a face just a few feet from hers. Therefore he must remain on the outside of house until he is invited in. Connie is trying to figure out what is the best decision for herself.
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Character Analysis Of Arnold Friend In 'Where Are You...
In spite of the similarities between the characters, it should be mentioned that it is a typical description using such signs as the car, the hair, the dress and the attitude. He is older, and much older than he says, also he is has a car along with an attractive look. Symbolism In 'Where Are You Going Where Have You Been? Arnold is a trickster, clever, and knowledgeable and hopes Connie does not truly recognize the evil in him. The most iconic color that is in the novel, is the color Where Are Going Where Have You Been Character Analysis 1555 Words 7 Pages Society progressively began to recognize that teenagers became a viable target group for commercial and retail purposes therefore catering to their needs. Similarly, Oates creates a sense of evil about Arnold by describing the light or lack of light which seems to exist near him. Satan is almost always depicted in paintings and literature as having hooved feet. As Arnold tries to convince Connie to go for a drive, and she considers and eventually agrees, the music on his radio becomes louder and louder.
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Arnold Friend Character Analysis in Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?
Arnold also knows too much about Coney, including that her parents are gone, where they are, and how long they Character Analysis Of Connie In 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been' 984 Words 4 Pages Instead of realizing the danger that she was in, Connie was focused on what Arnold Friend was wearing and how attractive he was. I think that if she was not so assured that there was nothing else to her but her skin-deep looks, due to her mother's ridicule and her "better" sister, that she would not feel as if Arnold Friend truly appreciated her beauty and innocence. He is full of swagger and machismo in a way that he is pulling the heroine toward him. The audience is also introduced to Arnold Friend, a rather peculiar man, who essentially kidnaps her. The song of a beautiful woman has often been used to entice men away from the righteous path, toward more wicked ways.
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Arnold Friend Character Analysis in Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?
The way the heroine acted in the film might seem as a justification for the appearance of such character, but the age at which she faced those events shows the high price paid to achieve personal conclusions from such experiences. Arnold Friend takes the form of a devil-like character and displays both physical and mental characteristics of this biblical creature. If the devil is real, Arnold Friend is giving obvious clues and at the same time, uncreatively disguising himself as well as letting his intention known eventually through his dialogue. Arnold never does any harm to Connie that she does allow herself to experience — what happens to her is her own fault, and Arnold, like the devil, takes no responsibility for it. A psychological lens, however, provides the most accurate viewpoint for analyzing the story as it clarifies certain obscure scenes and actions of Connie. Holden views adulthood as phony, hypocritical and fake while childhood in his mind is a world of innocence, honesty, and joy. The car is shiny, hot, and totally cool.
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Character Analysis on Arnold Friend From the Movie "Smooth Talk"
A sociopath may seem normal and indistinguishable at first glance, but when closely observing his mannerisms, thoughts, and actions, it becomes clear that the person is far from normal. Connie seeks to be a mature adult and desires an emancipation from her family. As Gatsby realizes that Daisy left him because he was poor, he starts to earn money in order to impress Daisy and get her back, his car is one of the few examples of The Theme Of Ignorance In Joyce Carol Oates 'Where Are You Been? The only one trying to tear down her ego is her mother who wants her to be like her older sister June who is the opposite of Connie. His gold convertible jalopy is perceived to be in poor condition but painted a color of high status and wealth giving the appearance of deceit Oates 2. Connie has a conflict with June, her sister. These are all parts of his attempt to manipulate Connie into coming out of her house so that he can abduct her and, it is implied, rape and murder her. Arnold Friend may seem ordinary, but his mind works differently from others.
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Arnold's Friend Character Analysis
All of these things may not be that apparent at first glance, but beneath his charismatic self lies a dark, disturbed persona. She was fifteen and she had a quick, nervous, giggling habit of craning her neck to glance into mirrors or checking other people's faces to make sure her own was all right. He behaves in both a charming and aggressive manner, purposely attempting to throw her off. As the story develops you see that Connie go from a fifteen year old who does not appreciate her family to a normal girl who just wants to be safe. And high heels, the poor sad bitch—nothing like you, sweetheart! She is mature and even helps the family out. The dialogue includes Arnold telling Connie that he knows all about her, the woman with the chickens and her family. In this short story, we are introduced to a 15 year old girl Connie.
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Character Analysis Of Arnold Friend In Where Are You Going,...
It is hard to determine the answers to these because there is no direct description of Arnold Friend that states what he is, nor is it revealed what happens to Connie in the end. Connie slit her eyes at him and turned away, but she couldn't help glancing back and there he was, still watching her. Bored and tired of being ordinary, and still being treated as a child, the main character engaged in a rebellion that think will make her look older, more like an adult. In this way, it seems possible that Friend is an evil supernatural force, perhaps even the devil himself. One of them, Arnold Friend although at first appearing friendly, is nothing more than a malicious predator, similar in kind to The Misfit, who greets his victims in a much more sinister way. With the help of a great deal of self-justification, mentally deranged people come to believe their thoughts and actions are normal and acceptable. She refused his invites to take a ride in the car.
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