definition of stream of consciousness

Definition of Stream of Consciousness
In literature, stream of consciousness is a method of narration that describes in words the flow of thoughts in the minds of the characters.
The term was coined was initially coined by a psychologist William James in his research “The Principles of Psychology”. He writes:
“… it is nothing joined; it flows. A ‘river’ or a ‘stream’ is the metaphors by which it is most naturally described. In talking of it hereafter, let’s call it the stream of thought, consciousness, or subjective life.”
Another appropriate term for this device is “Interior monologue” where the individual thought process of a character associated to his or her actions are portrayed in form of a monologue the addresses the character itself. Therefore, it is different from the “dramatic monologue” or “Soliloquy” where the speaker addresses the audience or the third person.
Function of Stream of Consciousness
It is a style of writing developed by a group of writers at the beginning of the 20th century. It aimed at expressing in words the flow of a character’s thoughts and feelings in their minds. The technique aspires to give readers the impression of being inside the mind of the character. Therefore, the internal view of the minds of the characters sheds light on plot and motivation in the novel.
In "Eveline", the young lady Eveline had been the daughter of a father who had favored his two sons over her. Her mother had died and she had promised her mother to keep the house together as long as possible. She had been struggling to survive and to keep the house together because of the hard work and dedication needed. She needed to keep food on the table and also make sure that the...
In the short story Eveline by James Joyce, the author challenges the morals of a young woman torn between desire and familial obligation. Joyce manipulates the theme of reflection as a tool for Eveline to make a life altering decision of staying in the comfortable atmosphere where she confined and controlled by her father and her boss, or to run off to the unknown with a man who loves her and offers her a life of security. This essay will analyze and explain the deixis, cohesion, process and participant type, discourse types and narrative structure in the text that enhance the emotion effect of the story. Joyce approaches this story from a third person perspective and creates examples of stream-of-consciousness narration. When we read the only three indirect thought processes; ‘He is in Melbourne now.'(IS) ‘Miss hill, don't you see these ladies are waiting?'(IS) ‘Look lively, Miss Hill, please. (IS)'we, the readers, are presented with outer observations only as they encroach on the continuous wave of thought, memory, feelings, and associations throughout the story. Joyce maintains an indirect thought process throughout the excerpt, referring to Eveline solely as she, her, herself, and adjusting the verb tense accordingly until he identifies her as Miss. Hill in paragraph six. Eveline throughout the story is a deeply feeble and compassionate woman. Sentences frequently project her as the powerless medium-t in material processes, and suggest that she is contemplating escape by watching the steady movement of others (Few people passed, she heard his footsteps clacking along…crunching… 2) while reflecting (watching, tired 1) on what she might leave behind, making the sensor in most mental processes. The opening sentence alone constructs implications of Evelines destiny, ‘She sat at the window watching the evening invade the avenue.' The square shape of a window alone, represent the shape of a cell and hence the notion of confinement. Her act of penetrating the view...