Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? Character Analysis

Connie

The protagonist of the story, Connie is a pretty fifteen-year-old girl who loves spending time with her friends and flirting with boys. Connie takes great pleasure in her appearance, so much so that her mother… read analysis of Connie

Arnold Friend

The story’s antagonist, Arnold Friend is a deeply sinister character—a man who pretends to be a teenage boy in his effort to kidnap, rape, and murder Connie. Connie first sees Friend outside a drive-in… read analysis of Arnold Friend

Ellie

Arnold Friend’s sidekick, Ellie is passive and quietly disturbing character in the story. He sits in the passenger seat of Friend’s car holding the transistor radio. Connie observes that while, like Friend, Ellie is… read analysis of Ellie

Minor Characters

Eddie

A boy who approaches Connie while she’s out with her friend. They spend a few hours together, and it’s on her way to Eddie’s car that Connie first sees Arnold Friend.

Connie’s Mother

Connie and her mother have a difficult relationship and often bicker, as Connie’s mother finds her daughter’s vanity and irresponsible behaviour frustrating.

June

Connie’s older sister. Plain, prudent, and responsible, she is very different from Connie in temperament.