Holden’s next-door neighbor at Pencey is Ackley, whose full name is Robert Ackley.
Ackley lives in the adjoining room to Holden and Stradlater’s room in the dormitory. Holden finds him irritating because of his poor hygiene, intrusive manner, and habit of entering the room without being invited. Ackley often interrupts Holden while he is reading or talking with Stradlater, and he appears socially isolated from many of the other boys.
Despite Holden’s constant criticism, Ackley is not simply an enemy. Holden sometimes shows concern for him and allows him to remain nearby when he has nowhere else to go. Their uneasy relationship reflects Holden’s tendency to mock people while also recognizing their loneliness.
Ackley is frequently confused with Stradlater because both are Holden’s dorm acquaintances. Stradlater, however, is Holden’s roommate, while Ackley occupies the neighboring room. Carl Luce is another former Pencey student, and James Castle attended Elkton Hills rather than Pencey.