character portraits

ward stradlater

mr spencer

robert ackley
"he was about six four-with lousy teeth"
"he was also sort of a nasty guy"

how to talk

to a friend: ho gurly, where you been?

to an adult: hello, where were you?

holdenlanguage:where in chrissake have you been? ive been looking for you in every goddamn nook and cranny of this phony school!

discussion quest ions from chapter 1 and 2

chapter 1 question:
Why doesn't Holden want to talk about his childhood?

chapter 2 question:
Why does Mr. Spencer care so much about whether or not he failed Holden?