At first, I approved of Arnie’s actions/views up until he bought the Plymouth Fury, “Christine” from that old veteran. Ever since then, Arnie drastically changes to the point where Arnie wasn’t really himself anymore, even his best friend notices and is scared for Arnie. I personally believe that both the ghost of the old veteran who sold Arnie “Christine” and the car itself has their fangs deep in Arnie, controlling his every movements. I especially saw this in Chapter 45 when Dennis was invited over to Arnie’s house for New Years Eve.
“I got to give it an eighty-five, Dick, it’s got a good beat and you can dance to it” Arnie said, but it wasn’t Arnie’s voice at all. My mind made a sudden and hideously unexpected cross connection (best smell in the world…except maybe for pussy) and my hand tightened down convulsively on the telephone. I think I almost screamed. I wasn’t talking to Arnie; I was talking to Ronald LeBay. I was talking to a dead man.
“What are you going to do?”
“I’m taking off,” he said. “I’m going to get in Christine and we’re going to motorvate right the Christ out of this one-timetable town. You understand?” His voice began to rise, to become shrill, and I felt horror sweep over me again. I was helpless against that unmanning fear and could only hope that it didn’t show on my face. Because it wasn’t just LeBay’s voice now; now it was even LeBay’s face, swimming under Arnie’s like some dead thing preserved in Formalin.
(This is all from Arnie’s best friend’s perspective by the way)
These are a few example texts from the book that shows how Arnie isn’t himself anymore, even his best friend notices Arnie’s strange behavior. His best friend has known Arnie for a long time and knows that this wasn’t the Arnie he knew. That Arnie was being possessed/controlled by something/someone. (in this case, the ghost of Ronald LeBay)
Great American Novels 2020 