Stream of consciousness is a narrative technique that presents a character's continuous flow of thoughts, feelings, and sensory impressions as they occur, often without logical transitions or conventional punctuation. It aims to capture the inner life of a character more directly than traditional narration.

Pioneered by writers such as Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, and William Faulkner, it is associated with modernist literature. Examples include Woolf's Mrs Dalloway and Joyce's Ulysses. The technique can be challenging for readers but offers deep psychological insight.

Key points

• Presents continuous flow of thought
• Often lacks logical transitions
• Associated with modernism
• Offers deep psychological insight