The Role of Mitch in a Streetcar Named Desire

Explore the dramatic representation of Mitch in a Streetcar Named Desire?

Immediately on introduction, Mitch is portrayed as different from the rest of the masculine characters in the play. Mitch could be considered as the misfit of all his friends as although he still is apart of the collective of the men who are at the “peak of their manhood” he is older and unmarried, instead having the strong presence of his mother at his side, stating that ‘You are all married. But I’ll be alone when she goes”. At the poker evening Mitch shows a very sensitive side to his character, leaving early in order to care for his dying mother, uncharacteristic of the predominantly held conceptions of masculinity. The theme of gender roles in the play is one that frequently surfaces, the most blatant ‘alpha male’ role held by Stanley. Mitch initially serves as an opposite to Stanley as Stanley does not share the same brand of gentleness and love for women in his life. This is shown when Mitch tells of very personal feelings of not being able to go out due to “all the while, i keep wondering how she is” but Stanley doesn't understand, his only response being direct and practical, “aw, for god’s sake, go home, then!” Though Mitch defies the typical carnal brand of male set by the other characters in the play he still does seem to apply them to women stating that ‘poker shouldn't be played in a house with women” showing his conformity in the belief of stereotypical gender roles. Furthermore he is still able to blend into the harsh male orientated world and keep up with the banter shared between him and the other ‘poker players’. By Williams potting Mitch as kind and gentlemanly he helps to bring to light that different types of men do exist and not just those who are the “alpha males” prevail in the world.

A second aspect of Mitch is revealed as he meets Blanche DuBois. His awkward courtesy and embarrassment show a consciousness of manners seldom seen in that raffish section of New Orleans and Blanche is quick to notice the hint of sensitivity in him that makes him seem “superior to the others”. Even though Blanche and Mitch are from different worlds, Blanche the archaic old South and Mitch the urban New Orleans, they share similarities that bring them together and which lead Blanche to look after Mitch with “a certain interest.” The stages of the two characters lives bring them together in their mutual need for companionship, Blanche is getting old and is constantly concerned that she will not find love after a previously failed marriage and Mitch hopes to find a woman to marry in order to bring home to his dying mother and also give him companionship as he will “ be alone when she goes.” Mitch, after learning about Blanche’s old marriage with Allan, understands this and tells Blanche, “you need somebody. And I need somebody, too. Could it be - you and me, Blanche?” Mitch provides vital eligibility to Blanche and not only a route out from her lodging’s at her sister’s but a way out from her mental loneliness and rejection. His status as unmarried is important to Blanche as that is one of the first things she asks about him, “is her married?” In this way Williams’ uses Mitch as a tool to show the status and expectations of women whereby they needed a man to support them both mentally in companionship and financially as even though Blanche does not necessarily click with Mitch she still looks to pursue a relationship with him. By portraying the character of Mitch this way, Williams is able to form a relationship between Mitch and Blanche that is completely opposite to that of Stanley and Stella whereby Blanche and Mitch’s relationship is based on companionship, while Stanley and Stella’s is based on compassion.

The “sensitive look” to which Blanche attaches to Mitch and which separates him from the other male poker player makes him further eligible to Blanche. Both Mitch and Blanche seem to be somewhat compatible as they both have a fidelity to the roots from which they sprang; they both are contradictions to the world that surrounds them. Mitch is a gentleman in a hostile alpha-male environment and Blanche is ghost of the chivalrous old South now conflicting against a new urban America. Mitch’s true devotion to his mother who provides an cares for and Blanche devotion to her mannered upbringing and childhood have set the standards by which the two should live and thus prove them to be similar and thus they both provide an escape and answer to the conflicts that have arisen due to their standards. The two are further brought together through the loss of loved ones and, through this, Mitch proves to be the only one who seems capable and willing to understand the loneliness of other people, having known loneliness himself. Both the reader and Blanche learn of a “A very strange, very sweet” dying girl who left a “story connected with that inscription” on a silver cigarette case. The constant Polka music throughout the play serves as a constant reminder of Blanche’s failed relationship with Alan, ‘The Grey Boy’, and Mitch’s inscription, which has the final lines of Blanche’s ‘favourite sonnet” , a poem about the lack of disjunction between love and death, links blanche to her relationship with Allan, as never able to shed her feelings towards him representing how if a loved one dies, it does not mean the end of the relationship. By allowing Blanche and mitch to share the experience of loss and remorse as Mitch has “loved someone, too, and the person I loved I lost” they are abel to find comfort in one another. Blanche need for comfort and kindness in particular is shown when, after witnessing the violence between Stanley and Stella, she says, “Thank you for being so kind, I need kindness now.” However, Mitch’s limitations become more and more apparent as the play progresses. He is the representative of the decent gentleman who could save Blanche from the past from which she is trying to flee. However, we must remember that it is only in the rough society of men like Stanley that Mitch can be considered a valuable discovery.

Despite Mitch providing eligibility and sensitivity to Blanche, he does not fit the exact mould of chivalric hero that Blanche dreams of and there is a clear disparity in their intellects. Mitch lacks Blanche’s romantic perspective and spirituality, as well as her understanding of poetry and literature, shown when Blanche frequently recalls her academic past using sophisticated language to compliment, “young prince out of the Arabian Nights”. Blanche’s reliance on old school gallant conducts are shown by her constantly trying to impose them on her relationship with Mitch talking of the “lord and lady of the house” and somewhat self condemning chauvinistic