J.D. Salinger's novel, The Catcher in the Rye, is a literary display of ingenious creativity. Salinger's novel fits the archetypal pattern of an anti-romance; however, the novel is unique in how it follows that pattern. A distinct way in which Salinger makes this novel unique is by having the stream of consciousness style to narrate the story. Since this style is used, the reader is able to vividly visualize and engage himself or herself into Holden Caulfield's thought process, morals, and interpretations. Also, Salinger cleverly makes the novel a unique anti-romance by choosing a teenager for the role of the hero. The unique aspects of this novel not only make the style and characters unique, but also the theme and plot. Because of Salinger's unique approach in writing this novel, the reader is able to see this book as something beyond the typical tired anti-romance story. The new approach further enhances the text. It imprisons the reader, keeping him or her hungry for more.
             First, The Catcher in the Rye, is unique because it is narrated using a stream of consciousness. The stream of consciousness narration of the novel conforms to the archetype of an anti-romance, with regard to the style aspect of an anti-romance. For a novel be labeled as an anti-romance, it must exhibit invectives. The novel indeed follows the criteria of an anti-romance because Holden uses foul language throughout the novel. Phoebe directly condemns Holden's bad language, immediately showing that she plays the role of mentor for Holden, seen in how he is obedient to the command for him to stop. In the end, Phoebe becomes his salvation as she stops him from his insanity by finally persuading him to come home. Also, frequent digressions fulfill another requirement of an anti-romance. Because this novel is narrated through Holden's stream of consciousness, the reader constantly sees digressions as the narrator frequen...