Guide to Literary Terms

Interior monologue - represents the inner thoughts of a character, recording the internal or emotional thoughts or feelings of an individual.

Interior is from the Old Latin interus, meaning “inward” or “on the inside.” The etymology of monologue is discussed under the listing for that term.

William Faulkner uses interior monologue in his novels, such as The Sound and the Fury, and even comments on the impressions passing through the minds of his characters.

see: monologue