Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? Group

Question:

dan-amy
dan-amy
Student
High School - 11th Grade

What significance does Arnold have in the story 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been'?

More specifically, how would you describe his importance to the story? How would you describe him period?

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Posted by dan-amy on Friday February 20, 2009 at 7:51 AM and tagged with arnold, characters.

Answers:

  1. appletrees
    appletrees Teacher
    College - Junior

    eNotes Editor

    Arnold Friend represents both an actual and a symbolic threat to Connie, both her physical being and her innocence. He is an individual but also represents any older man who preys upon teenage girls. Connie is portrayed as being very naive and foolhardy, and is easily flattered because she is discovering the power her beauty has over men. Arnold, being older and more experienced, recognizes these weaknesses and therefore considers Connie an easy target. He is important to the story as a representation of the potential outcomes of Connie's behavior. Her unwillingness to use caution and common sense when dealing with strangers is overshadowed by her desire to be praised for her attractiveness and rebel against her protective parents, and Arnold Friend is an example of the kind of trouble girls like Connie can find if they're not careful. In this way he is a sort of moral signpost, not by way of being a moral example, but by way of being a threat, the archetype of the charming, and therefore successful, sexual predator.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/where-are/

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    Posted by appletrees on Sunday August 23, 2009 at 1:04 PM