Internal monologue

Definition

Internal monologue refers to the inner thoughts and reflections of a character, presented in a way that reveals their emotions, motivations, and conflicts. This technique allows writers to create a deeper understanding of characters by giving insight into their psyche, which plays a crucial role in establishing character voice and consistency throughout the narrative.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Internal monologue can be presented in first-person or third-person perspectives, affecting how intimately readers connect with a character's thoughts.
2. This technique can be used to convey humor, tension, or drama by highlighting a character's conflicting emotions or irrational beliefs.
3. Effective internal monologues contribute to character development by revealing backstory, desires, and fears that may not be explicit in dialogue.
4. Writers often use internal monologue to create dramatic irony, where the audience knows more about the character's thoughts than other characters do.
5. Consistency in a character's internal monologue helps maintain their voice across different scenes, reinforcing who they are and how they perceive their world.

Review Questions

• How does internal monologue enhance our understanding of a character's voice?
  • Internal monologue provides direct access to a character's thoughts and emotions, helping to shape their unique voice. By revealing what characters truly think and feel, it allows readers to see beyond their outward actions and dialogue. This deeper connection enables the audience to better understand motivations, conflicts, and personality traits that define the character's identity.
• Discuss the role of internal monologue in creating consistency within a character across different scenes.
  • Internal monologue serves as a guiding thread for maintaining a character's voice throughout various situations. When done effectively, it reinforces the established traits of the character by showcasing their consistent thought patterns and emotional responses. This helps build credibility in the character's behavior and decisions, making them feel more authentic and relatable as they navigate through different circumstances.
• Evaluate how the use of internal monologue can impact narrative perspective and overall story engagement.
  • The strategic use of internal monologue can significantly affect narrative perspective by offering insights that shape how readers perceive events and characters. When a story includes rich internal monologues, it deepens reader engagement as they become privy to the inner workings of characters' minds. This layered storytelling encourages empathy and connection while also enriching plot developments by highlighting emotional stakes that may not be apparent through dialogue alone.

Related terms

stream of consciousness: A narrative style that attempts to capture the flow of thoughts and feelings as they occur, often disregarding conventional structure and punctuation.

character voice: The unique way in which a character expresses themselves through dialogue and internal thoughts, reflecting their personality, background, and emotional state.

narrative perspective: The viewpoint from which a story is told, influencing how much insight readers have into a character's thoughts and feelings.