Stream of consciousness is a narrative technique that attempts to depict the uninterrupted flow of thoughts and feelings through the mind of a character. It often features:
* Non-linear structure: The narrative jumps between different times and perspectives, reflecting the fragmented nature of thought.
* Interior monologue: The reader is privy to the character's unfiltered thoughts, often presented in a free-flowing, grammatically unconventional way.
* Disjointed syntax and punctuation: The sentences may be fragmented, incomplete, or lack traditional punctuation, mimicking the rapid flow of thoughts.
This technique breaks away from traditional linear storytelling and offers a more subjective and immersive experience for the reader. Some famous examples of stream of consciousness in modernist literature include:
* "Ulysses" by James Joyce: This novel is arguably the most famous example of stream of consciousness, following a day in the life of Leopold Bloom through his constantly shifting thoughts.
* "Mrs. Dalloway" by Virginia Woolf: This novel utilizes stream of consciousness to explore the thoughts and memories of Clarissa Dalloway as she prepares for a party.
* "The Sound and the Fury" by William Faulkner: This novel utilizes stream of consciousness to tell the story of the Compson family through the fragmented memories of its members.
By employing stream of consciousness, modernist writers challenged traditional literary forms and sought to capture the complexity and subjectivity of human experience.