The boys' nicknames in Holes are Armpit, X-Ray, Caveman, Squid, Magnet, and Barf Bag. These monikers are given to the boys at Camp Green Lake by X-Ray, and represent the identities they have within the camp.
At Camp Green Lake, a juvenile detention facility, each boy is assigned a nickname. This system, largely driven by X-Ray, serves several purposes. First, it provides a sense of identity within the otherwise dehumanizing environment of the camp. Secondly, it creates a social hierarchy and group cohesion.
Here's a breakdown of the nicknames mentioned:
- Armpit: One of the campers and a friend to Caveman.
- X-Ray: The de facto leader of the group, known for his poor eyesight.
- Caveman: The protagonist, Stanley Yelnats IV, who earns his nickname early in the story.
- Squid: Another member of the group.
- Magnet: Known for his ability to steal things.
- Barf Bag: Another camper at Camp Green Lake.
These nicknames highlight the grim reality of Camp Green Lake, where the boys' identities are reduced to simple, often unflattering, labels. These are the only things the boys have that make them individual in the camp.
