Advanced Placement (AP) English Literature Practice Exam

Which narrative element involves characters' spontaneous thoughts and feelings?

1. Stream of Consciousness

2. Symbolism

3. Syllogism

4. Tetrameter

The correct answer is: Stream of Consciousness

The narrative element that involves characters' spontaneous thoughts and feelings is stream of consciousness. This technique captures the flow of thoughts and emotions as they occur within a character's mind, allowing readers to experience the inner workings of a character’s psyche in a direct, often unstructured manner. Stream of consciousness often bypasses conventional narrative structure, presenting thoughts in a way that mimics their natural, chaotic progression. This technique can create a deeper emotional connection to the characters, making their experiences feel more immediate and authentic. The other elements listed do not focus on internal thoughts and feelings in the same way. Symbolism relates to the use of symbols to signify ideas or qualities beyond their literal sense. Syllogism is a form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn from two given or assumed propositions (premises), not applicable to character thoughts. Tetrameter refers to a specific metrical form in poetry that consists of four measures or feet in a line, which also does not pertain to the expression of internal thought processes.