Learning Paths » 5A Interacting
In the first chapter of the novel Thinks… the character is recording his thoughts because he wants to understand the workings of the human mind.
From the first line, the intelligent reader understands that David Lodge uses a speaking voice to introduce the story. The speaking voice isn’t a narrator, but it is also a character of the story.
In the first chapter David Lodge decides to use a particular narrative technique called stream of consciousness.
The character can say everything he thinks and he mustn't omit words. The reader can notice this particular narrative technique because of the lack of connectors and because the narrator uses free indirect style and free direct style.
This technique was introduced by William James in the 19th century to study mental processes.
I think that David Lodge uses this particular narrative technique because he wants to convey to the reader howthe human mind works.
