What defines the "stream of consciousness" narrative technique?

• A. A structured series of events in a story
• B. A continuous flow of thoughts and feelings
• C. A focus on dialogue between characters
• D. A limited perspective from a single character

Answer: (B)

The "stream of consciousness" narrative technique is characterized by a continuous flow of thoughts and feelings, mimicking the natural thought processes of the mind. This approach allows readers to experience the inner workings of a character's mind in real-time, providing insight into their emotions, perceptions, and reactions. The technique often disregards traditional narrative structure, enabling a more fluid and dynamic depiction of a character's mental state.

This method can include disjointed thoughts, fragmented ideas, and a lack of punctuation, reflecting how thoughts can often appear unstructured or chaotic in our minds. Writers such as Virginia Woolf and James Joyce are well-known for employing this technique, allowing readers to immerse themselves deeply into the psyche of their characters. In doing so, the technique provides a nuanced understanding of a character's motivations and experiences, offering depth to the narrative that goes beyond the surface of events and dialogue.