Joyce Carol Oates is a born writer, she had a passion for writing even before she could read. He attended Syracuse University on a scholarship and as his success grew, so did his popularity. Oates's clever short story, "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" contains two very different characters who help portray the harsh reality of growing up as a young woman. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Friend Arnold seems like an insignificant character at the beginning of the story but eventually reveals himself at the end, describing an inhuman character. This is revealed through details and clues within Oates' work. Arnold's strange name is slightly reminiscent of two phases that are too coincidental not to match his characteristics. “An old demon” and “archdemon” can mean the devil. Arnold also knows too much information about Connie and her family that only a higher power could know: “I know your name and everything about you, many things” (Oates 511). He also stood in a rather strange position, which might imply that he had hooves for feet: "One of his boots was at an odd angle, as if his foot wasn't in it" (Oates 514). Arnold said the numbers 33, 19, and 17 to Connie as he tried to get her to leave the house, “Now these numbers are a secret code, darling” (Oates 510). These numbers could mean the thirty-third book of the Bible, chapter nineteen, verse seventeen which reveals the title of the story “Where are you going, where have you been?”. Or if you add up all the numbers the equivalent is sixty-nine and these could be Arnold's true intentions with Connie. Arnold is a static character who doesn't change and resembles the villain of this story. Connie is an innocent teenager trying to live her best life. She knows she is beautiful and not at all like her mother and sister. He just wants to have fun with his friends and boys. She's a little rude to her mother, but what can you expect from a teenager? You can say that he lives two different lives, he behaves one way when he is with his family and another way when he goes out with his friends. “She wore a jersey blouse that looked one way when she was at home and another when she was away from home. Everything about her had two sides, one for home and one for anywhere but home…” (Oates 507). Connie thought she was better than her mother and sister because she was pretty, “she knew she was pretty and that was all” (Oates 506). Connie is a dynamic character and is the heroine of this story as she goes from a stubborn fifteen year old to a better version of herself. She sacrifices herself for the sake of her family's safety, even if it meant she wouldn't return home when she left with Arnold. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Additionally, the devil ultimately strips women of their innocence as they enter adulthood in many ways by showing them the bitter truth that comes with growing up, making women cautious about what they wear and who they attract Attention. As many of us know, the devil's intentions are never good, which is why he tries to take Connie as well as her innocence. This will make her grow and mature quickly and not entirely in a positive way. Works Cited: Gibbons, B. (2002). Romeo and Juliet: Analysis, Criticism and General Resources. Greenwood Press.Greenblatt, S. (2010). Romeo and Juliet in performance: stage production and adaptation. Manchester University Press. Holland, P. (2008). Survey of Shakespeare: Volume 61,..