Stream of Consciousness in Literature

Overview of Stream of Consciousness

• A literary technique presenting a character's thoughts and feelings as they occur in real-time.
• Reflects both internal and external psychological influences at a specific moment.
• It captures the continuous flow of sensory perceptions, thoughts, feelings, and memories.

Characteristics

• Often synonymous with interior monologue.
• Incorporates incoherent thoughts, ungrammatical structures, and free association to mimic the mind's complexity.
• May feature nonlinear narratives that traverse different times and places.
• Syntax and punctuation may be unconventional, leading to challenging prose.

Historical Development

• Early fiction primarily conveyed thoughts and feelings through dialogue or action.
• Emerged in the late 19th century as writers sought to move beyond Victorian formalities.

Influential Writers

• Notable authors utilizing this technique include James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, D.H. Lawrence, and William Faulkner.
• Joyce's "Ulysses" exemplifies the technique, revealing intricate inner states of characters like Leopold Bloom and Stephen Dedalus.
• Faulkner's "The Sound and the Fury" and Woolf's "The Waves" also offer profound insights into the characters' minds.

Origin of the Term

• Coined by William James in his 1890 work "Principles of Psychology."
• James described consciousness as a seamless “river” or “stream,” indicating its fluid nature.

Key Pioneers

• The technique was first significantly employed by writer Dorothy Richardson in her work "Pilgrimage."
• Joyce later expanded its usage, which was further developed by Woolf and Faulkner.