The Dispossessed

by Ursula K. Le Guin

The Dispossessed: Stream of Consciousness 1 key example

Definition of Stream of Consciousness

Stream of consciousness is a style or technique of writing that tries to capture the natural flow of a character's extended thought process, often by incorporating sensory impressions, incomplete ideas, unusual syntax... read full definition
Stream of consciousness is a style or technique of writing that tries to capture the natural flow of a character's extended thought process, often by incorporating... read full definition
Stream of consciousness is a style or technique of writing that tries to capture the natural flow of a character's... read full definition
Chapter 7
Explanation and Analysis—Shevek Wanders:

On the day that Shevek learns of the revolution in Benbili, he is overcome with emotion and flooded with thoughts, and he decides to adventure out into Nio Esseia and walk about the city. As he does, the narration uses stream of consciousness to reflect his state of mind, shedding light on both his wandering train of thought about life and Ioti politics and his immediate observations about the streets and shops around him:

Did the money buy the politeness, as well as the postcards and the map? How polite would the shopkeeper have been if he had come in as an Anarresti came in to a goods depository: to take what he wanted, nod to the registrar, and walk out? No use, no use thinking this way. When in the Land of Property think like a propertarian. Dress like one, eat like one, act like one, be one.