Fragmented Narrative and Emotional Turmoil

In the following passage from a fictional novel, the author uses a fragmented narrative structure to depict the chaotic inner thoughts of the protagonist. This non-linear approach challenges the reader to piece together the events of the story as it shifts between past and present. As you analyze the passage, consider how the structure influences the development of the plot and the reader's understanding of the protagonist's emotional state.

Passage Excerpt:

"She remembered the rain on that fateful day—the way it drummed against the window, a persistent reminder of what was lost. Nights spent wandering through memories, the faces of friends blending into shadows, replaced by echoes of laughter that had long since faded. Now, here she was, surrounded by color, yet feeling so utterly gray. When did everything change?

Time felt like a thief sneaking around the edges of her consciousness, stealing moments just as her decisions took on a life of their own. It was overwhelming—the inescapable weight of each choice she’d made. With every heartbeat, the past whispered its secrets, telling stories she wished she could forget, stories that wound around her like vines, suffocating her ability to breathe.