Where Have You Been Where Are You Going Analysis

Miller 1
Timothy B. Miller
Prof. Nicholas Young
LITR-221
June 23, 2013
Where Have You Been, Where Are You Going: A. Friend’s View.
His name was Arnold Friend. He was getting older but still liked the young ladies around town. Arnold came from a broken home. His father had been in prison since right after his birth for some reason or another and his mother did her best to raise him courting a string of good-for-nothing losers who were in and out of her life faster than crap through a goose. He was a high school dropout who eked out a meager living by doing odd jobs and auto repairs. His daily routine took him all over the small town in the gold-colored convertible jalopy that he had fixed up with his named proudly emblazoned on the
“I wanta introduce myself, I’m Arnold Friend and that’s my real name and I’m gonna be your friend, honey” (Oates p. 337). Connie then noticed a dent in the left rear fender and around it was written, on the gleaming gold background: DONE BY CRAZY WOMAN DRIVER (Oates p. 337). Connie laughed at seeing that. Arnold, pleased at her laughter, then looked up at her. “Around the other side’s a lot more—you wanta come and see them?” (Oates, p. 337)
Connie suddenly started to look apprehensive to Arnold. She began to disengage with him and he knew that he had to do something to distract her. When Connie told Arnold she could not go with him because she had “things to do” (Oates p. 337) Arnold started to laugh and slap his thighs as if he had just heard the funniest joke in the whole world. While Arnold was in his fit of laughter, Connie began to notice Arnold’s body; the way his jeans fit tightly, his muscular build and she found a strange familiarity in his features. This boy intrigued her and she did not understand why.
Miller
(Oates p. 339) Why don’tcha come on out and just go for a ride?” At this Connie protested again and claimed she had “things to do” which made Arnold change his jovial tone to a more flat, onerous one.
“Connie, don’t fool around with me. I mean—I mean, don’t fool around” (Oates p. 339). Arnold began to seethe as he talked and this caused Connie to retreat into the house.
“If you don’t leave I am going to call the police!” Connie strained to keep her voice level but the fear was slowly rising within her. Arnold stepped up to the screen door and leaned close so he could see her inside. “Now we both know that it will take more than 20 minutes for the police to get here and by that time we will be long gone Connie.” Arnold’s tone was no longer jovial or joking, it was deadly serious.
“What do you want?” (Oates p. 341) Connie asked the fear now apparent in her voice.
“Isn’t it apparent to you by now Connie, I want you… and I am not about to take no for an answer.” Arnold voice had lost all traces of geniality by this