Questions and Answers
Why is Holden so mad at Ackley after the fight? How does the situation with Ackley end
(what is Holden's response)? - answer Holden was mad at Ackley because he was
still really annoyed about the whole Stradlater and Jane thing that it sort of let out on
Ackley. One couldn't really tell that he was mad at Ackley because Holden was really
sarcastic about; this entire scene was pretty passive-aggressive. At the end of the
scene, Holden shakes Ackley's hand, tells him he's a prince and leaves.
What does Holden think about as he lies in Ely's bed? - answer He thinks about Jane
and Stradlater in Ed's car; he was really angry about it because he knew what Stradlater
could've done with her in that car. He knew what moves Stradlater had to get girls to do
what he wanted, and that pissed him off (the thought of Jane being used like that).
What makes Holden so lonely that he wakes up Ackley? - answer He had heard
Stradlater go to bed, and he couldn't hear any cars outside, so it felt like no one was
around. It reminds him of how he has no one to talk to about his problems. So he wakes
up Ackley to feel like there is someone there.
What does Holden decide when he leaves Ackley's room? - answer He decides to
leave Pencey all together; Pencey made him feel lonesome and he didn't have anything
to do at the school. His parents wouldn't be informed of his expulsion till wednesday so
he had time to get away. He decided to take it easy in New York till wednesday.
Why does packing make Holden so sad? - answer While he was packing, he found
these brand new skates that his mother had bought him in hopes that he would go out
and have fun with them. Now, Holden was dropping out of school and he didn't even
use the skates. It reminds him that he not only disappointed himself, not only Allie, but
also his mother.
How does Holden feel as he is about to leave Pencey Prep? - answer He was kind of
crying on the way out. He might have realized that he was leaving again and how he let
down so many of his teachers and his parents, and Allie. It could also have been
because he was still a bit aggravated about the fight with Stradlater about Jane.
What does Holden say when asked about whether he likes Pencey Prep? - answer
He said that it wasn't too bad; "it's not paradise but it's as good as most schools".
Why is Mrs Morrow concerned about Ernest? What does Holden tell her about Ernest?
Why does he do this? - answer she worries about Ernest because Ernest was a shy
boy and she was afraid that he wouldn't mix well with the others.