What narrative style is primarily used in William Faulkner's "As I Lay Dying"?

William Faulkner's "As I Lay Dying" is primarily characterized by the stream of consciousness narrative style. This technique allows readers to gain insight into the characters' thoughts and emotions in a fluid, often disjointed manner that reflects the complexities of their inner lives. The novel is told through multiple perspectives, with each character offering their own stream of thoughts, creating a rich tapestry of voices and experiences.

This narrative method effectively conveys the fragmented nature of reality and emphasizes the themes of isolation, family dynamics, and the subjective nature of truth. By prioritizing the characters' inner thoughts and feelings, Faulkner immerses readers in their psychological landscapes, thereby enhancing the emotional impact of the story.

In contrast, a linear narrative would present events in a straightforward chronological order, which is not the case in this novel. First-person limited, while it captures a single character's perspective, does not encompass the variety of voices that Faulkner employs. Descriptive narrative focuses more on vivid descriptions and less on the internal thoughts of characters. Therefore, the use of stream of consciousness is a defining characteristic of Faulkner's innovative writing style in this work.