What is the term "stream of consciousness" used to describe in literature?

The term "stream of consciousness" refers to the continuous flow of a character’s thoughts and feelings, capturing their inner monologue in a way that reflects the natural thought processes of the mind. This literary technique immerses the reader into the character's experiences, often blending dialogue, sensory perception, and introspection without clear or traditional structuring.

Writers who employ this technique, such as James Joyce and Virginia Woolf, allow readers to experience the nuanced and often chaotic nature of human consciousness. It emphasizes the fluidity of thoughts as they occur, rather than presenting them as cohesive or logically ordered statements. This method deepens the reader's engagement with a character's psychological state, illustrating how thoughts can be disjointed, fragmented, and influenced by emotions or associations.

The other options do not accurately represent this concept. For instance, arranging narratives in chronological order is a different narrative structure altogether. Furthermore, while first-person narrative voices may be used in stream of consciousness writing, they are not exclusive to it, nor is this perspective central to the definition. Unreliable narration pertains to a different storytelling technique involving the credibility of the narrator rather than the direct representation of thought patterns.