Stream of Consciousness

Stream Of Consciousness

Introduction:-

Stream of Consciousness is a narrative mode or method that attempts to depict the multitudinous thoughts and feelings which passes through the mind.

 It is a narrative technique in non-dramatic fiction intended to render the flow of the impression - visual. auditory, physical, associative and subliminal - that impinge on the consciousness of an individual and form part of his awareness along with the trend of his rational thoughts.

Origin and First introduced by:-

This term originated in psychology before literary critics began using it to describe a narrative style that depicts how people think.

This term was first introduced by  the psychologist william James in his work "The Principle of  Psychology".

This is a style of writing developed by a group of writers at the beginning of 20th century at Modernist movement. As psychological novel developed in 20th century, some writers attempted to capture the total flow of their character's consciousness, rather than limit themselves to rational thoughts.

It aimed at expressing in words the flow of character's thoughts and feelings in their minds. This technique tries to give readers the impression of being inside the minds of characters.

Development:-

While the use of the narrative technique of Stream of consciousness is usually associated with modernist novelists in the first part of the 20th century.

But it is only in the 20th century that this technique is fully developed by modernists. As Robert Humphrey comments.............

"is concerned only with the reminiscent aspect of consciousness"

Many writers who employ this term, also experiments with structure, incorporating elements like multiple, unreliable narrators on a straight line  plot structure.

Some writers may also choose to arrange events out of chronological order or to give readers details about the past through a character's memories.

Most famous examples:-

(1)James Joyce's ULYSSES

(2)Arthur Schnitzler's  LEUTNANT GUSTL

(3)William Faulkner's THE SOUND  AND  THE FURY

(4)Virginia Woolf's THE WAVES and TO THE LIGHTHOUSE

(5)Dorothy Richardson's  PILGRIMAGE

Two distinct quality of this term:-

(1) Stream of Consciousness does necessarily mingle with impression and perception.

(2)Stream of Consciousness it does necessarily violate the norms of grammar or logic.

Some additional key details:-

*This writing allows readers to 'listen in' on a character's thoughts.

*The technique often involves the use of language in unconventional ways in an attempts to replicate the complicated pathways that thoughts; take as they unfold and move through the mind.

*It can be written in the first person, as well as the in third person.

As a form of Interior Monologue:-

Stream of Consciousness is a narrative device that attempts to give the written equivalent of the character's thought process, either in a loose interior monologue or in connection to one's action.

This kind of writing is usually regarded as a special form of interior monologue and its characterizes by associative leaps in thoughts and lack of some punctuation.

Worthy to be noted that....

Writer uses this term as the speaker's thought processes are more often depicted as overheard in the mind; it is primarily a fictional device.

Conclusion:-

In short, to conclude one can put here that.....

Stream of consciousness is a person's thoughts and conscious reaction to events, perceived as a continuous flow.