Holden’s dorm neighbor, Robert Ackley, is the type of person who suffers from poor hygiene. He doesn’t brush his teeth properly, he is
always clipping his nails and leaving his clipped nails
in other peoples rooms. He has terrible skin and is very nosey.
What are two things that annoy Holden about Robert Ackley?
Ackley has a somewhat obnoxious personality which Holden finds repulsive, though he tolerates him and his unsolicited visits. Ackley has a lot of annoying habits such as
cutting his fingernails over the floor, popping his pimples in public
, and laughing at things that aren’t funny.
What about Ackley annoys Holden the most?
Ackley does not seem to have many friends. He prevents Holden from reading by puttering around the room and pestering him with annoying questions. Ackley further
aggravates Holden by cutting his fingernails on the floor
, despite Holden’s repeated requests that he stop.
What does Holden not like about Ackley?
Ackley
has awful teeth
, which he never brushes, lots of pimples, and a lousy personality, according to Holden. Holden also hates the fact that Ackley comes into his room and picks up things that belong to him and his roommate, Ward Stradlater.
What is it about Ackley that really bothers Holden?
Ackley does not seem to have many friends.
He prevents Holden from reading by puttering around the room and pestering him with annoying questions
. Ackley further aggravates Holden by cutting his fingernails on the floor, despite Holden’s repeated requests that he stop.
Why was Holden crying when he left?
Holden cries because
the seriousness of his school situation, his frustrating life
, and his feelings of depression and loneliness all crash down on him at once.
What does Mr Spencer want to speak with Holden about?
Mr. Spencer speaks frankly with Holden about
his poor academic performance
. Holden takes Mr. Spencer’s speech in stride, but internally he rails against his teacher’s insistence that “Life is a game” and that he must learn to follow the rules.
What dirty trick did Mr Spencer pull on Holden?
Spencer pulls the ultimate dirty trick on Holden.
He pulls out Holden’s latest essay on the Egyptians and reads its aloud, right down to Holden’s self-degrading note
: “I know this is junk, so it’s OK if you flunk me, don’t worry about it” (Ch. 2).
Why is Holden so worried about Stradlater’s date with Jane?
Why is Holden so worried about Stradlater’s date with Jane? … He’s worried Stradlater will make a fool of himself. He’s
worried he won’t get a chance to say goodbye to Stradlater
. He likes Jane and doesn’t want Stradlater coming on to her.
Are Holden and Stradlater friends?
Overall,
Stradlater and Ackley are not Holden’s genuine friends
, and Holden struggles to cultivate positive relationships with both of them. Colin Cavendish-Jones, Ph. D. Holden is always an unreliable narrator, and his relationships with all the other characters—except, perhaps, his sister, Phoebe—are volatile.
Why did Holden have to leave Ernie’s?
Why does Holden leave Ernie’s? Holden leaves Ernie’s
because Lillian is becoming annoying
. He would rather leave then spend more time talking to her. … Holden becomes unimpressed with him and leaves.
Did Holden like Ackley?
Expert Answers
Holden does not say whether or not he likes Ackley
. His description of Ackley is not complimentary, but they seek each other out because they are both outsiders in the school community.
Why is Holden not too crazy about describing rooms and houses?
Why is Holden “not too crazy about describing rooms and houses” (49)? He couldn’t imagine what Stradlater had said to describe. This could be because
he changes schools so much, he never has a consecutive home or place to describe
.
What does Ackley do when he comes to visit Holden?
What does Ackley usually do when he comes to visit Holden? There was a shower between the two rooms, so he
always comes through the shower curtains
.
What does Stradlater do when Holden keeps provoking him?
When Stradlater nonchalantly refuses to tell Holden any of the details, Holden attacks him, but Stradlater
pins him to the floor and tries to get him to calm down
. Holden relentlessly insults Stradlater, driving him crazy until he punches Holden and bloodies his nose.
Why does Ackley not like Stradlater?
How do Ackley and Stradlater feel about one another? Ackley and Stradlater didn’t like each other
because he embarrassed him
. He told him to brush his teeth once in awhile. “The reason you’re sore at Stradlater is because he said that stuff about brushing your teeth once in a while” .
