What does the narrative technique 'stream of consciousness' involve?

Stream of consciousness is a narrative technique that aims to depict the flow of thoughts and feelings in a way that mimics the natural, often chaotic, process of human thinking. This method presents a character's inner monologue, revealing their perceptions, emotions, and reactions without the constraints of conventional narrative structure.

In this technique, the narrative does not follow a linear path; rather, it jumps between thoughts and memories, reflecting how the mind works in real life. This nonlinear approach allows for a deeper understanding of characters, as readers gain insight into their psychological states and how they experience the world around them. Authors like Virginia Woolf and James Joyce are well-known for employing this technique to create rich, immersive narratives.

The other options do not align with the essence of stream of consciousness. Direct dialogue focuses on the spoken exchanges between characters, while a logical sequence of events and chronological recounting emphasize structure and order, which contrast with the spontaneous, often disjointed nature of the stream of consciousness technique.