In Fräulein Else by Arthur Schnitzler, the story is told through Else's point of view. Schnitzler not only allows readers to see how the characters interact with each other through dialogue, but also incorporates Else's thoughts and reactions to everything she experiences. Through the use of stream of consciousness and describing her escapes into fantasy, Schnitzler is able to vividly convey to the reader the internal turmoil and conflicting emotions that throw Else into a void of hysteria. Else first receives a telegram from her mother informing her that her father needs money to escape prison and embarrassment after being caught for embezzlement. Since there were no family members to turn to, Else was asked to approach Herr von Dorsday, a wealthy family acquaintance, to ask for a loan. However, with the telegram comes the suggestion to sell his innocence. “Oh dear, won't he give me the money? I don't have to look so scared. Everything is at stake. I have to say something intelligent and convincing” (43). This quote illustrates Else's compliance with her mother's message as well as her reluctance to follow through with her actions. Furthermore, Else reflects, “What would you say, Father, if I sold myself at auction tonight?” (23-24). Here her internal conflict between personal needs and family needs is emphasized, in the sense that Else does not want to sacrifice herself for her father. If Schnitzler had not allowed us to read into Else's stream of consciousness, we would not have identified the source of her hysterical thoughts. Because she has something holding her back from behaving as she wishes, Else is forced into a situation where she gains no benefit as an individual. As Else enters…middle of the paper…ler perfectly portrays a mental breakdown of thought and reason as well as a wide range of emotions. Schnitzler's stream-of-consciousness writing style is extremely effective in conveying bouts of hysterical thoughts. Not only does it help intertwine Else's thoughts with the dialogue she participates in, but it also compares her thoughts to every word or action she says or performs. This technique allows readers to see the different internal conflicts he feels and how his thoughts descend deeper into hysteria as he struggles to conform to his family's issues. Overall, Fräulein Else is a vivid and impressive depiction of the loss of innocence and confusion present in an inexperienced young girl that Schnitzler presents through his writings. Works Cited Schnitzler, Arthur. Fraulein Else. London: Pushkin Press, 2012. Print.