Book Talk S13

Book Talk Session 13

Stream of consciousness

Do you know what stream of consciousness is?

Let’s watch a short video by Elizabeth Delf from Oregon State University defining this technique and giving examples from everyday life and literature.

Real-life example

All of us experience the sensation of stream of consciousness on a daily basis when we are alone with our thoughts. For example, imagine the following situation:

“Let’s see, what else do I need to buy? I’ve got chips, chocolate…oh, and I need to get that awful prune juice for Harold. I can’t believe he actually thinks this cleanse thing is gonna work. And to think he wanted me to do it with him. As if I need to lose weight. Hmm, I wonder how late the gym is open tonight.”

Stream of Consciousness X Free Writing

• Free writing encourages a writer to get words down on paper without editing or worrying about the product, knowing that most of it will not necessarily be all that interesting

• Stream of consciousness, on the other hand, is writing that has been polished and has a purpose, even while giving the impression that it is somewhat “random.” 

Multiple Choice

1. Choose the correct stream of consciousness definition from the following statements:

• A linear flow of thoughts with obvious associations between one idea and the next.

• A narrative device which mimics the chaos of natural thoughts patterns that often lacks obvious connections.

• A form of writing with clear rhythm, pattern, and rhyme scheme.

Multiple Choice

2. How are free writing and stream of consciousness different?

• They are synonyms—there are no differences.

• Free writing is polished writing that reflects an author’s best work while stream of consciousness is random words strung together.

• Stream of consciousness is a highly stylized form even though it appears random, while free writing is an author’s first draft of writing that doesn’t attempt to be polished.

Multiple Choice

3. Having watched the example of Virginia Woolf’s stream of consciousness style, which of the following quotes would you guess also comes from Mrs. Dalloway?

Poll

Are there any examples of the use of stream of consciousness technique in the book you are reading at the moment?

• Yes, sure

• No, not really

• I'm not sure yet

• Stream of What?