How is Naturalism depicted in the first two scenes ofAct I of A Streetcar Named Desire?

Naturalism is a literary movement which focuses on very
specific aspects of life. The characteristics of Naturalistic texts contain the
following ideals:

1.  The text is written from an objective
point-of-view. This means that the author writes from a scientific perspective similar
to that of an experiment. The author states that they are simply describing the action
of what is happening- they do not attempt to change or influence the character or the
action of the text in any way.

2. The characters described
are typically deterministic. The protagonist simply sees a problem with the
circumstances that they have found theme selves in, or other characters in, and wishes
to change them.

3. Given the text is written from an
objective point-of-view, the text is also pessimistic and emotionally cold. The author
is, again, only describing what they are "seeing" from a observers point-of-view. They
wish to have no compassion for the characters because it would force them to interfere
with the action of the story.

4. The setting is one you
would find in everyday life. There are no spectacular scenes in regards to elaborate
castles or upper-class niceties. The settings are typically set in lower-class homes and
workplaces.

As for the play "A Streetcar Named Desire",
there are many different aspects of Naturalism depicted in the
play.

Scene One: First and foremost, the scenery of the
play depicts the ordinary. Elysian Fields is described as ordinary and poor. The
buildings are described as "raffish".  The characters of the play also support typical
Naturalistic characterizations. The men are blue collar workers and the women deal with
abuse. Three times throughout the play domestic violence and rape is depicted. (These
show the assumed lower class actions of the people who live here.)  The setting is also
set by the music of the lone blue piano. The piano sets the mod for the entire play- one
of solitude and depression.

Scene Two: This scene offers
another aspect typical of Naturalistic literature. Stanley comes to find himself in
circumstances beyond his control- Stella has invited her sister to stay with them. Given
that Stanley is not happy about this, he does come to find out that Belle Reve has been
sold- he, wanting to find a way to make this situation better, believes that getting
money from the sale would make his life more bearable. Unfortunately, like all
Naturalistic literature, this is not the outcome of the piece. Instead, there is no
money and Stanley decides to take something else from Blanche by raping her- what is
left of her sanity.

This being said, Williams is not
typically depicted as a Naturalistic writer. He is normally placed in either the Modern
or Post-Modern periods. Regardless, "A Streetcar Named Desire" does hold typical
Naturalistic characteristics throughout the play.

See
Historical Context link for importance of scenery.

See
Style link for importance of motifs.