Stream of Consciousness Thoughts, emotions, and motivations make up who a person is. These are the same things that make up the characters in some of the most famous literary works. Stream of consciousness shows a character's thoughts, feelings, and ideas through their point of view. Stream of consciousness is a writing tool used especially in the early 20th century, during the rise of modernism. Another description of stream of consciousness is internal monologue. This interior monologue gives the reader a glimpse into the thoughts that drive the character to his actions. William James explains the term in The Principles of Psychology, stating: “Consciousness, therefore, does not appear to itself to be cut into little pieces. Words like "chain" and "train" do not adequately describe it as it first appears. It's nothing twisty: it flows. A 'river' or a 'stream' are the metaphors with which it is most naturally described” (233). Consciousness is not fragmented, but a constant flow of thoughts and ideas. Stream of consciousness is a twentieth-century technique and is largely exemplified by modernist authors Virginia Woolf and T. S. Eliot. Stream of consciousness is a key piece in twentieth century literature, resembling the change that occurred during that time. The 20th century marked the rise of modernism, an era in which philosophy took a leading role. Josh Rahn points out in his article entitled Modernism: “At the same time, Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theories had become accepted by the mainstream” (1). He goes on to say: “In broad terms, the period was marked by sudden and unexpected breaks with traditional ways of seeing and interacting with the world… Indeed, a central concern of Modernis… medium of paper… . .. world, the great novelists of the early 20th century explored the inner space of the human mind” (Rahn, 1). TS Eliot and Virginia Woolf were just two of many early 20th century writers to use stream of consciousness in their works. Eliot, Thomas Stearns, and other observations. From Poems. AA Knopf, 1920. Web. 18 February 2014. www.bartleby.com/198/1.html .James, William. The Principles of Psychology. New York: DoverPublications, 1950. .Woolf, Virginia. To the Lighthouse. England: Hogarth, 1927. Project Gutenberg Australia. Col Choat, September 2008. Web. 18 February. 2014. .