Thought presentation
The representation of characters' internal thoughts using three main forms: direct thought ('I hate this'), indirect thought ('She thought she hated it'), and free indirect thought (ambiguous representation blending character and narration).
Real World
In 'Mrs Dalloway', Virginia Woolf uses free indirect thought to blur the boundary between Clarissa's consciousness and the narrator's voice, so readers inhabit her memories without clear attribution markers.
Exam Focus
When identifying free indirect thought, quote ambiguous passages and argue whose perspective dominates — the blurring itself is the literary effect worth analysing.
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