In Joyce Carol Oates’s “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been,” Arnold Friend is an example of someone who disguises their true identity in order to deceive others. Connie, a girl in the story, encounters Arnold at her doorstep after seeing him watching her at a drive-in the previous night. This makes Connie uncomfortable and wary of his intentions when he tries to convince her to go for a car ride with him.
Undoubtedly, it would be extremely challenging to maintain balance and walk with boots filled with hooves. Arnold Friend’s entire physical appearance appears to be artificial. According to Weg, “even his eyelashes seem fake, coated in a tar-like substance.” This suggests that Arnold Friend possibly conceals demonic attributes behind a fake human façade. Additionally, Arnold Friend possesses an uncanny knowledge about Connie, her acquaintances, and her family. It is impossible for any ordinary person to possess such knowledge merely by observing from afar. Yet Arnold Friend demonstrates this ability when Connie mentions her father’s imminent return, and he casually remarks, “He ain’t coming. He’s at a barbecue. Aunt Tillie’s. Right now they’re uh they’re drinking. Sitting Around. There’s your sister in a blue dress, huh? And high heels.” This evidences his psychic-like awareness of others’ activities when physically absent. Only entities like the Devil or God possess such capabilities, with God being highly unlikely to threaten a 15-year-old girl. Moreover, Arnold Friend displays an extensive understanding of Connie’s life, even mentioning details such as her recent companion and her best friend’s name being Betty. Some might argue that Arnold Friend is a stalker; however, the evidence suggests otherwise.
