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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
Stream of Consciousness
Explanation and Analysis—Childhood Mother:
Although Gan narrates the story as an adult looking back on his final night of childhood, he slips into stream of consciousness narrative in this passage by detailing his thoughts as a child. As he watches his mother, Lien, experience the pleasure of drinking from T'Gatoi's egg and the pain-relieving effects of her sting, he recounts his thoughts from that moment as if he were once again witnessing the scene:
I would like to have touched my mother, shared that moment with her. She would take my hand if I touched her now. Freed by the egg and the sting, she would smile and perhaps say things long held in. But tomorrow, she would remember all this as a humiliation. I did not want to be part of a remembered humiliation. Best just be still and know she loved me under all the duty and pride and pain.
Gan's narration is different here, marked by the use of the word "would." While "would" can refer to the past, as Gan is technically reflecting on a memory of this moment, it can also refer to a future event that might occur. Gan wonders if his mother would accept his affection because of the egg and sting's influence, and this conditional future brings us into Gan's childhood mind.
The change into stream of consciousness narrative in this passage reminds readers of the contrast between Gan's adult self and childhood self. The reader also becomes aware of Gan's childhood naivete and what he may understand as an adult that he did not understand previously.
Butler incorporates stream of consciousness narration to emphasize what Gan lacked the emotional maturity to comprehend as a child. This enables the audience to better understand his actions at the end of the story, where he finally confronts T'Gatoi and the fate that was decided for him. As "Bloodchild" is a coming of age story, the contrast between Gan's childhood and adulthood thinking is crucial to understanding his growth as a character.
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