Stream of consciousness

STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS

A STUDY IN THE CONTEXT OF ENGLISH LITERATURE

It is a literary technique used in modernismIt has no coherent structureThe plot lines weaves in and out of time and place (non-linear)

What is the Definition of Stream of Consciousness?

Stream of consciousness is a literary device used by writers. Its purpose is to draw you in to the character's thoughts, making you intimately involved in his or her motivations. It was made famous by authors like Virginia Woolf and William Faulkner.

MODERNISM IN LITERATURE

How is Stream of Consciousness Used in Modern Writing?

Newer writers, especially in the latter half of the 20th century and the early part of the 21st century, are known for playing with stream of consciousness. Lyricist, John Frusciante from the band Red Hot Chili Peppers, has used the form in a number of songs including "Smile from the Streets You Hold." Using stream of consciousness as an alternative way to delve into characters' feelings and perceptions for music in general is a more modern idea. It is also modern experimentation to use it in film and on the stage. The move "Adaptation" was almost exclusively created around the concept of stream of consciousness in an attempt to bring literature to life. Writers specifically, that are known for using this kind of technique in more modern works are Dave Eggers, who attempts to take thoughts into many directions at once, such as his "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius." "Trainspotting" (Irvine Welsh) and "Wide Sargasso Sea" (Jean Rhys) are both novels that use stream of consciousness. "Trainspotting" shows the effects of drugs and memory loss through an interwoven web of words utilized to describe feelings, lost chunks of time, and confusion. "Wide Sargasso Sea" makes use of stream of consciousness to detail Bertha's descent into madness, and her decision to take her own life, as a retelling of the classic novel "Jane Eyre.“

Stream of consciousness is a literary technique, used to draw you into a character's world to discern whether that world is straightforward or deeply confused. It can be difficult to read, as the narrative is not linear. Rather, it jumps around, just as our own thinking jumps around. Yet, the technique has been used to create unique novels for providing you an inside look at the character's inner struggle. Best examples for reading a novel in this style are "Mrs. Dalloway" by Virginia Woolf or "As I Lay Dying" by William Faulkner.

Interior Monologue Vs Stream of ConsciousnessCriteria of comparison Interior Monologue Stream of Consciousness

1. General function in the text

(both are narrative techniques describing personality of the fictional character)

Third-person narration First-person narration

2. Lexical and syntactical features(both provide special types of syntax and lexis)

Usual syntax forms,no lexical innovations

Unstructured and disordered syntax forms, unusual words

3. The main message(both demonstrate psychological features, thoughts, and emotions of the fictional character)

A form of communication between fictional characters

Non-communicative , presents flow of the character’s mind

What Writers are Famous for Using the Technique of Stream of Consciousness?

Virgina Woolf was perhaps one of the most famous users of stream of consciousness. In fact, she helped to pioneer the style. In earlier works, she was known for introducing the style, and in later works, she often depended on stream of consciousness to describe the inner thoughts of her characters in a less linear style. Arthur Schnitzler is also argued to have been one the first to use the technique in his work "Leutnant Gustl," which was written in 1900. His work actually predates all other works with the form of stream of consciousness; however, since his work is a short story and not as popular as other works, his contribution is often overlooked. Other popular writers that use stream of consciousness in their work, some exclusively, are William Falkner, Manuel Puig, Michael Cunningham, and Irvine Welsh.

STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS

Interior monologue

Parenthesis Free Associations

REFERENCES

1.www.google.com

2.Wikipedia

3.www.answers.com

4.www.slideshare.net