When reading Joyce Carol Oats’ Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been, I couldn’t help but find Arnold Friend a peculiar character in many ways. The way in which the author writes him in feels as though he does not possess natural human qualities. He seems to appear from nowhere and attach to Connie upon first sight, yet he knows everything about her, her social life and her family. Clearly it seems as though he is supernatural in some way almost like Satan himself or the mythic Pan.

           

When Arnold arrives at Connie’s Doorstep, I immediately began to find this either extremely convenient or sinisterly purposeful. He somehow knew exactly where Connie lived and knew that she would be alone. He goes on to explain to Connie that he knows who she is, the names of all her friends, who her family is, where they are and even what they were wearing. This kind of omniscience right away gives the character devilish qualities. There is no way that a mortal man would be able to know this much about a person unless he spent days or even months spying and stalking an individual.

 

Furthermore, Arnold’s appearance also contributes to the comparison of Satan. Upon first seeing him, Connie immediately squints her eyes in disgust almost as a reflex. Even the sight of him initially gives her uneasiness. She also describes him in a very unflattering manner talking about his scruffy hair and sullen eyes. The most telling sign of this devilishness or similarity to Pan is revealed when the narrator describes his feet however. He walks strangely and seems to wobble when he tries to get near her. This may be interpreted as a sign that he actually has hooves like traditional Satanic like figures have. After observing this Connie seems to finally realize who he really is and she begins to panic and scream.

Arnold’s seductive nature seems to be the most prominent feature in interpreting him as Pan or Satan. He lusts after Connie and tries to persuade her into “coming along for a drive” in an effort to gain control over her and turn her into something she does not want. She is immediately feels uncomfortable because she is so used to only showing her conservative side at home and by arriving at her house Arnold is acting like Pan would in trying to force her sexual side to come out. She resists, wanting to hold onto her innocence and it only makes Arnolds upset and more hard pressing. He eventually begins stop sugar coating want he wants by discussing the possibility of “Sunday drives” and beings to explain to her that there is no longer a way out of this situation. The closer he gets to invading her home the more Connie recedes, panics, and screams. The power in language and presence that Arnold Friend has to push Connie to such extremes of emotion are elements of only true evil in its purest form.