The Question:
Explore how Mitch is presented in a Streetcar Named Desire
Introduction From the beginning of the play, Williams presents Mitch as a character who challenges some
traditional ideas about masculinity, representing the antithesis of Stanley at times, and offering
some hope of redemption for Blanche as a more sensitive male figure. However, as the play
progresses it seems that Mitch is ultimately unable to fulfil the role as Blanche’s gallant hero, as
an awkward and clumsy character who, like Stanley, dominates his power over Blanche and
destroys her illusions in scene 9.
Point 1 To begin with, Mitch does offer some hope for the audience as a romance blossoms between
Mitch and Blanche:
Sensitive Mitch,
potential saviour Not only might Mitch be able to provide for Blanch financially, but emotionally too.
of Blanche to Blanche remarks that Mitch is “sensitive”, and they share a tragic romantic past.
begin with o Mitch hits upon this, stating: “you need somebody, and I need somebody –
could it be you and me Blanche?”
‘I have a sick mother’
Mitch seems to fit Blanche’s ideal of the Southern Beau when compared to other men,
whom she regards as “apes”. Mitch is formal and respectful, calling Blanche “Miss
DuBois” and Blanche admits that she appreciates his “gallantry”.
Chivalrous hero- ‘My Rosenkavalier’
‘I think you have a great capacity for devotion’
Brief tenderness in their relationship and Blanche to find solace in Mitch; she “huddles”
into him and gives “long grateful sobs” before exclaiming “sometimes, there’s God, so
quickly”. We can see the closeness of the bond between the two of them as Mitch is the
only character who Blanche tells the truth about “Allan”, and it is after this outburst of
emotion that they are united together.
Point 2 Mitch’s treatment of Blanche in scene 9 however undermines his fundamental gentlemanliness,
suggesting that all men have the capacity for aggression as Blanche is yet again left abused.
Violence towards
Blanche in scene Attempts to dominant- carrying the Mae West figure upside down.
9 ‘tears the paper light off the light bulb’
‘not clean enough to take into the house with my mother’
Point 3 Shy, clumsy, slow-thinking, he acts as a foil to the shrewd, loud, domineering Stanley. By the end,
he too is defeated by him as the alpha male, and he is unable to protect Blanche in scene 11:
Ultimately, he too
is defeated by In scene 3 his movements act as a direct contrast to Stanley’s- ‘moves in awkward
Stanley and imitation like a dancing bear’… ‘stalks fiercely’
represents weak Attitude towards Stanley in the final scene- lunges at him, but fails
masculinity Guilt in ending- he was unable to save Blanche
Elysian fields- resting place of the heroic
Darwinian world
the tears Mitch sheds after Blanche struggles to escape the fate Stanley has arranged for her
show that he genuinely cares for her. In fact, Mitch is the only person other than Stella who
seems to understand the tragedy of Blanche’s madness.
Explore how Mitch is presented in a Streetcar Named Desire
Introduction From the beginning of the play, Williams presents Mitch as a character who challenges some
traditional ideas about masculinity, representing the antithesis of Stanley at times, and offering
some hope of redemption for Blanche as a more sensitive male figure. However, as the play
progresses it seems that Mitch is ultimately unable to fulfil the role as Blanche’s gallant hero, as
an awkward and clumsy character who, like Stanley, dominates his power over Blanche and
destroys her illusions in scene 9.
Point 1 To begin with, Mitch does offer some hope for the audience as a romance blossoms between
Mitch and Blanche:
Sensitive Mitch,
potential saviour Not only might Mitch be able to provide for Blanch financially, but emotionally too.
of Blanche to Blanche remarks that Mitch is “sensitive”, and they share a tragic romantic past.
begin with o Mitch hits upon this, stating: “you need somebody, and I need somebody –
could it be you and me Blanche?”
‘I have a sick mother’
Mitch seems to fit Blanche’s ideal of the Southern Beau when compared to other men,
whom she regards as “apes”. Mitch is formal and respectful, calling Blanche “Miss
DuBois” and Blanche admits that she appreciates his “gallantry”.
Chivalrous hero- ‘My Rosenkavalier’
‘I think you have a great capacity for devotion’
Brief tenderness in their relationship and Blanche to find solace in Mitch; she “huddles”
into him and gives “long grateful sobs” before exclaiming “sometimes, there’s God, so
quickly”. We can see the closeness of the bond between the two of them as Mitch is the
only character who Blanche tells the truth about “Allan”, and it is after this outburst of
emotion that they are united together.
Point 2 Mitch’s treatment of Blanche in scene 9 however undermines his fundamental gentlemanliness,
suggesting that all men have the capacity for aggression as Blanche is yet again left abused.
Violence towards
Blanche in scene Attempts to dominant- carrying the Mae West figure upside down.
9 ‘tears the paper light off the light bulb’
‘not clean enough to take into the house with my mother’
Point 3 Shy, clumsy, slow-thinking, he acts as a foil to the shrewd, loud, domineering Stanley. By the end,
he too is defeated by him as the alpha male, and he is unable to protect Blanche in scene 11:
Ultimately, he too
is defeated by In scene 3 his movements act as a direct contrast to Stanley’s- ‘moves in awkward
Stanley and imitation like a dancing bear’… ‘stalks fiercely’
represents weak Attitude towards Stanley in the final scene- lunges at him, but fails
masculinity Guilt in ending- he was unable to save Blanche
Elysian fields- resting place of the heroic
Darwinian world
the tears Mitch sheds after Blanche struggles to escape the fate Stanley has arranged for her
show that he genuinely cares for her. In fact, Mitch is the only person other than Stella who
seems to understand the tragedy of Blanche’s madness.
