Stream of consciousness is used to depict the continuous flow of thoughts, feelings, and sensations in a character’s mind. It is often used in modernist literature and is characterized by a lack of linear structure, punctuation, or grammar rules. The technique seeks to replicate the disjointed, fragmented, and often chaotic nature of the human mind. It can be used to convey a character’s innermost thoughts and emotions, providing the reader with insight into their psyche. By immersing the reader in the character’s consciousness, writers can create a sense of intimacy and empathy, allowing the reader to connect with the character on a deeper level.
Examples of stream of consciousness:
James Joyce’s “Ulysses” is perhaps one of the most well-known examples of stream of consciousness. The novel follows the inner thoughts and experiences of several characters over the course of one day in Dublin, Ireland.
Virginia Woolf’s “Mrs. Dalloway” uses stream of consciousness to depict the thoughts and emotions of the main character, Clarissa Dalloway, as she prepares for a party.
William Faulkner’s “The Sound and the Fury” is a novel that employs multiple narrators, each with their own stream of consciousness. The technique is used to show the breakdown of a once-great Southern family.
Franz Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis” uses stream of consciousness to show the thoughts and experiences of the main character, Gregor Samsa, after he wakes up one day to find he has transformed into an insect.
Dorothy Richardson’s “Pilgrimage” is a series of novels that use stream of consciousness to depict the inner life of a woman named Miriam Henderson. The novels follow Miriam as she navigates various relationships and struggles with her own sense of identity.
James Joyce, the Irish novelist and writer, published one of the most influential and I would suggest, difficult novels of modern times, Ulysses, in 1922. He used a new narrative technique known as stream of consciousness, going inside the mind of characters, revealing innermost thoughts, feelings and sensations.