Rotten Relationships

Alongside with the few positive relationships Holden has, he also mentions the troubled ones as well. We moved onto his thoughts on the previous school he attended, Pencey. He stated that he didn't like the school because of all the phonies there including one of his roommates named Stradlater. Holden named him the "secret slob" because you could never tell what he was really like until you caught him alone. Ackley, Holden's other roommate, is completely different in that he flaunts his lack of hygiene. However, he states that he respects Ackley much more than he does Stradlater. The reason behind this seems that Holden favors someone who is fine with making their imperfections known rather than a person who tries to be someone he or she is not by hiding these flaws. I feel individuality is something Holden cherishes very much and immediately senses a person as a phony if this quality is not expressed.

"Secret Slob"



Slob