Is Arnold Friend meant to be the devil? A rapist and a murder (see “The Pied Piper of Tucson” on page 521)? Or is he just a misunderstood social misfit who terrifies Connie more because of her innocence than because of his evil?

Arnold Friend's name is meant to be ironic. Underneath his smooth talk, he is a child predator. His real motivations come out when Connie tries to lock herself in her house. Arnold is the wolf at the door; he represents both violence and rape. It is curious why Connie willingly goes back outside. This seems rather manipulative by the author.