Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Stream of consciousness is a narrative technique that presents the continuous flow of thoughts, feelings, and sensations experienced by a character. It mimics the way our minds work by capturing unfiltered and often fragmented inner monologues.
Related terms
Interior Monologue: Similar to stream of consciousness, it reveals a character's thoughts but may be more organized and coherent.
Free Indirect Discourse: Blends third-person narration with elements of a character's inner thoughts.
Multiple Perspectives: Narrating events from different characters' points of view to provide varied insights into the story.