Curated set · answers marked
Who does the mysterious stranger Arnold Friend most likely represent in the story?
Rationale
Arnold Friend shows several sinister traits throughout the story—his unsettling knowledge of Connie and her family, his oddly shaped legs, the numbers "33, 19, 17" on his car (often seen as a reference to Satan), and his captivating influence over Connie all indicate that he symbolizes the Devil or a demonic presence drawing Connie towards her destruction.
Who does the mysterious stranger Arnold Friend ultimately represent or symbolize in the story?
Rationale
Arnold Friend is often seen as a demonic figure or a representation of death, with some readers linking him to the Devil. Several elements in the text back this interpretation: his unnatural look (like ill-fitting skin and stuffed boots hinting at hooves), his eerie knowledge about Connie and her family, and the way he seemingly captivates her all point to him embodying evil, death, or the loss of innocence rather than being just a typical human character.