This would be through a soliloquy for an extended explanation, or an 'aside' for briefer comments.
That narrative device is called an "interior monologue." It allows the audience to gain insight into a character's inner thoughts and feelings that may not be expressed verbally.
internal Monologue
In a second-person narrative, the reader typically has access to the thoughts and experiences of the main character being addressed as "you." The narrative often immerses the reader in the perspective of this character, allowing them to delve into their thoughts and emotions.
A novel is a fictional prose narrative of considerable length which has a plot that unfolds from the actions, speech, and thoughts of the characters.
This would be through a soliloquy for an extended explanation, or an 'aside' for briefer comments.
An epistolary narrative is told through a series of letters or other written correspondence between characters. This format allows for multiple perspectives, intimate insights into characters' thoughts and feelings, and can create a sense of immediacy and immersion for the reader.
In "Small Island" by Andrea Levy, the aspects of narrative include multiple perspectives from different characters, the use of flashbacks to provide background information, and the exploration of themes such as identity, race, and belonging. The narrative style is character-driven, offering insights into the characters' thoughts and motivations.
A short remark unheard by the other characters is called an aside. A monologue unheard by the other characters is a soliloquy.
Reading a stream of consciousness narrative can be disorienting as the thoughts and feelings of the characters are often presented without a clear structure or order. This style of writing can provide insight into the character's inner thoughts and emotions, but it may also require a heightened level of focus and interpretation from the reader to piece together the narrative.
Narrative perspective refers to the point of view from which a story is told. It can be first person (where the narrator is a character in the story), third person limited (where the narrator focuses on the thoughts and feelings of one character), or third person omniscient (where the narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of all characters).
Examples of asides in literature include characters speaking directly to the audience, revealing their inner thoughts or providing additional information that others on stage or in the story are not aware of. Shakespeare's plays often feature characters delivering asides to share their true feelings or intentions. In modern literature, authors sometimes use asides to provide commentary or perspective outside of the main narrative.
Virginia Woolf connected with her audience through her introspective and emotional writing style that delved deep into the complexities of human existence and relationships. She often used stream-of-consciousness narrative techniques to convey the inner thoughts and feelings of her characters, creating a sense of intimacy and empathy with her readers. Woolf's themes of gender, class, and mental health resonated with her audience, sparking discussions and reflections on societal norms and personal experiences.
a characters thoughts and feelings is called direct characterization