Topic > The religious symbolism in Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?

Biblical and religious symbols are perfectly hidden in everyday life like a book without stitches. Part of the problem with being blind to signs and symbols is that not many people are aware of the religious references. Religious symbols are represented through music, art, films and books. Forever 21 founders Don and Jin Chang hid “John 3:16” on the bottom of their bags. Bible depictions and verses are often favored towards God, but rarely the latter. The Devil is in the details, and like a book, we must open our minds to the constant hidden messages in society. Biblical allusions and symbolism are hidden in “Where Are You Going? Where have you been?". The answer is revealed as the main antagonist, Arnold Friend, symbolizes the Devil. Digging our claws further into the text, his "disguise", outward appearance and behavior all contribute to Arnold Friend portrays the Devil horribly. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? At the beginning of the story he describes Connie, the main protagonist, as a young girl with two versions: a version of her at home and a version of her when she's not at home Her mother, who always tormented her by telling her that she wasn't like her sister, that "she had been nice once too" always compares her to. June, Connie's sister, is a simple and steady girl. Connie's father didn't talk much, he worked, ate and then went to sleep. It seems clear that Connie is isolated. Being isolated, the Devil may feel intrigued by the hunt to loneliness. Connie's actions, such as lying about where she was going after being dropped off by her father, and spending time with Eddie for hours on end, really started to show the true non-innocent girl she truly was. His first encounter with the Devil, brought on by bad intentions, is a "boy" with shaggy black hair and a wobbly wagging a finger and laughing while saying "I'll get you, honey" right outside the drive-in restaurant. Our point is reinforced when it is said "Without Eddie knowing anything." The Devil only targets Connie, which would make sense that she is the only one who can see him. The following day Connie's family leaves for a barbecue at her aunt's house, leaving Connie home alone. Arnold Friend pulled into Connie's driveway in a shiny gold convertible. The golden pulley symbolizes the Devil's greed and vanity, two of the seven deadly sins, illustrating to us that the Devils “are in the driver's seat” of greed. We can relate this to “The Devil and Tom Walker” which contains a moral allegory that offers a warning against greed and the pursuit of material gain. Sinful actions are punished and the Devil is in control of those souls driven by wealth. Arnold's car also depicts the numbers 33, 19 and 17. These numbers refer to a verse in the Bible, Judges verse 19:17. The author, Joyce Oates, reinforces the connection between Arnold and the Devil through this verse. “When he looked and saw the traveler in the city square, the old man asked, 'Where are you going? Where do you come from?'". As the story progresses, Arnold's "disguise" appears to fail and Connie reveals the truth about his appearance. Arnold tries to be a youthful looking "boy", these tricks are often used to enter the crowd of kids and make teenagers think he is one of them. He tried this trick because he saw Connie hanging out at the drive-in restaurant where the older kids usually hang out. “The driver's glasses were metallic and reflective.