Types of Novel (Stream of Consciousness Novel).

F.Y.B.A. (ENGLISH)                                                     

SEM : 1                                                                            

DSC : 101 (PROSE)                                                        

 

 

Stream of Consciousness Novel.

 

Introduction.

In the beginning of the 20th century, there was a development in the field of psychology by Sigmund Freud. A new concept of reality was formed as a result of this. The human mind contains reality, which cannot be seen from the outside. William James coined the concept "Stream of Consciousness" in his 1890 book "The Principles of Psychology." Psychiatrists coined the term "stream of consciousness" in the nineteenth century to describe the constant flow of subjective thoughts, feelings, memories, and observations that all people experience.

However, literary critics began to use the term "stream of consciousness" to characterise a narrative approach pioneered by writers such as Dorothy Richardson, Marcel Proust, James Joyce, and Virginia Woolf in the early twentieth century. Many of these writers were interested in psychology and the "psychological novel," in which writers spend at least as much time explaining the plot's action as they do analysing the characters' thoughts, ideas, and internal growth.

They capture the inner workings of their characters' minds, allowing readers to dive into the complex and often chaotic landscapes of human thought.

 

Origin and Development of Stream of Consciousness Novel.

Origins (Late 19th to Early 20th Century): The Stream of Consciousness technique has its roots in many works that experimented with interior monologues and the depiction of characters' thoughts. These texts show a desire to look into the psychological depths of characters.

The term "Stream of Consciousness" was coined by philosopher and psychologist William James in the early twentieth century. However, the approach rose to prominence in the hands of writers such as James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, and Marcel Proust.

Expansion and Influence (Mid-Twentieth Century): The impact of Stream of Consciousness techniques spread beyond these pioneers. Elements of this style were used by writers such as William Faulkner, Doris Lessing, and Samuel Beckett. "The Sound and the Fury" (1929) by William Faulkner is famous for its broken storyline and multiple viewpoints.

Modern Adaptations: While the Stream of Consciousness approach is less popular in current literature, its impact can still be seen in numerous ways. Writers such as Salman Rushdie, Toni Morrison, and Kazuo Ishiguro have used its elements to examine their characters' inner lives.

 

Some key elements of Stream of Consciousness Novel.

 

Subjective Reality: The story has the ability to blur the differences between reality, memory, and imagination. Readers see the world through the eyes of the character, even if that perspective is imperfect or subjective.

Psychological Insight: Stream of consciousness writing frequently looks deep into the psyches of characters, exposing their fears, desires, and worries. This can result in a more strong feeling of psychological realism and complexity.

Internal Dialogue and Conflict: Characters can have inner talks, debates, and opposing thoughts. This gives us a glimpse into their psychological state and all aspects of decision-making.

Interior Monologue: The narrative often presents the inner thoughts and feelings of characters as if they were speaking directly to themselves. This can result in a fragmented, non-linear structure as thoughts jump from one subject to another.

The most important authors of the Stream of Consciousness Novel.

Virginia Woolf

Virginia Woolf was an English writer who lived from 1882 to 1941. She is regarded as one of the most important modernist novelists of the twentieth century. Virginia Woolf is widely considered as a pioneer of the Stream of Consciousness writing approach. Her inventive use of this technique in her works allowed her to look deeply into the inner lives of her characters. Woolf's writing goes deeply into her characters' minds, revealing their ideas, feelings, and perceptions in a style.

Woolf's novels are noted for their complete investigations of her characters' inner lives. She provides direct access to her characters' thoughts, feelings, and memories through the Stream of Consciousness approach. This gives viewers an intimate grasp of her characters' complex inner worlds.

Woolf's use of Stream of Consciousness highlights the distinctive features of her characters. Each character's thought processes and associations are unique, allowing readers to have a thorough understanding of their personalities, concerns, desires, and fears.

James Joyce 

James Joyce (1882-1941) was a novelist, poet, and literary critic from Ireland. He was a member of the modernist avant-garde movement and is considered as one of the twentieth century's most influential and essential writers. Joyce's use of this style had a significant impact on modern literature, especially in works like "Ulysses" and "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man."

The narrative of Joyce's works frequently lacks typical chronological framework and instead delves into his characters' inner thoughts and experiences. This strategy can produce in fragmented and non-linear storytelling, as the characters' internal monologues shift swiftly from one thought or memory to another, frequently without visible transitions. This reflects the complexity and flow of human mental processes.

In "Ulysses," for example, Joyce follows the thoughts and emotions of his protagonists, Leopold Bloom and Stephen Dedalus, during a single day in Dublin. To build an intricate web of consciousness, he employs a range of stylistic methods, including free indirect speech, interior monologue, and even parodies of many literary traditions. This work famously follows the format of Homer's "Odyssey," adapting its characters and events into the current Dublin environment.

In "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man," Joyce follows the protagonist, Stephen Dedalus, from boyhood to young manhood. The work can be identified by its shifting narrative perspective, which allows readers to experience the protagonist's evolving consciousness as he struggles with his identity, values, and artistic aspirations.

Joyce's use of stream of consciousness lets him to dive deeply into his characters' minds, revealing their deepest fears, wants, and experiences. This strategy may encourage connection between the reader and the characters, as well as a greater sense of realism and psychological complexity.

 

Conclusion

The stream of consciousness novel, as a literary uniqueness, continues to inspire and influence current writers, reminding us of the limitless possibilities of narrative structure. Finally, the stream of consciousness novel form is a revolutionary break from standard storytelling methods, providing readers with a deep and enjoyable journey into the inner workings of characters' thoughts.