NCHS AP English Language

Lindsay Miller- stream of consciousness + ch. 10

** Stream of consciousness format is when the author writes the main character's thoughts in just a rush of thought. Every little detail of what they are thinking is written and it is very random. They maybe thinking of the main story line but then suddenly switch to a memory or sudden action happening in the present. This format is often used to portray innocence, as a child's thoughts are often playful and fleeting. It may also be used for recurring memories that impact the story plot because in stream of consciousness, one's flashbacks of memory would come to mind most often.
** In Chapter 10, one finds Joe Christmas striking out on his own. He seems to be walking everywhere, loking for a place to stay, gain employment and food. He is just a fleeting passersby in every town and his memories are besieging him, enhanced by the stream of consciousness format used in this chapter. Eventually he arrives upon the home of Joanna Burden, and the past story line rushes up to meet the present plot with the conclusion of this chapter. Joe is realizing just what happened and how he is now on his own with little to no money, beaten up and hungry. Therefore, Joe is fully coming to terms with his present state of mind as well.

~LINDSAY MILLER

posted by Ellen @ 8:49 AM