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What did William Faulkner's "stream of consciousness" technique represent?

A) A defense of traditional values and established literary rules.

B) A bold experiment in narrative that rejected old conventions.

C) An apology for the disloyalty shown by writers during World War I.

D) An acceptance of the capitalist value of consumerism.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

William Faulkner's "stream of consciousness" technique is a bold narrative experiment that rejects old conventions, immersing readers into the complex psychological landscapes of his characters. The correct option is B.

Step-by-step explanation:

William Faulkner's "stream of consciousness" technique represents B) A bold experiment in narrative that rejected old conventions. This literary technique is characterized by a narrative mode that attempts to depict the multifaceted, and often chaotic, thought patterns of characters.

Faulkner's use of this technique was groundbreaking and served to immerse the reader more deeply into the psychological landscape of his characters, thus giving a more intimate portrayal of their inner lives and conflicts.

For instance, in Faulkner's novel The Sound and the Fury, the stream of consciousness style allows readers to experience the disjointed thoughts and perceptions of characters such as Benjy Compson, an intellectually disabled man, with profound emotional depth and complexity.

Similarly, in As I Lay Dying, the inner thoughts and feelings of a large cast of characters are portrayed through their individual stream-of-consciousness narratives, revealing the complex relationships and themes central to the human condition. The correct option is B.

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