A further one of Mitch’s roles within the play is to contribute to the theme of having loved and lost. Through this theme the audience can see Mitch as a comparison character to Blanche. The audience first finds out that Mitch has loved and lost when Blanche reads the inscription on his cigarette case in scene three. The inscription reads, ‘and if God choose, I shall but love thee better-after-death!’ Mitch then reveals that a girl he was involved with ‘knew she was dying,’ when she gave it to him. This shows that Mitch’s relationships are more than just sexual- that he is capable of deeper, sentimental connections. This compliments what Blanche reveals later about her marriage to a young boy named Alan who also died. Just before Blanche reveals this fact Mitch also talks of his mother. He tells Blanche that ‘she won’t live long’ then when Blanche asks the question ‘you love her very much, don’t you?’ Mitch admits that he does. The inscription on Mitch’s cigarette case and his despair at the inevitable loss of his mother whom he loves only serves to reinforce the theme of losing love. They also reinforce the audiences association of death with Blanche and highlight the idea that all will not end well for her. It can also imply that Blanche is looking for her lost love Alan, in Mitch.
Another of Mitch’s roles within the play is to convey the theme of loneliness. Williams’ uses Mitch as a foil character to bring out Blanches loneliness. They are drawn together through their mutual need of companionship. In scene six Mitch reveals that he only has his mother and he is shortly to lose her. Blanche tells Mitch that she ‘knows what it is to be lonely’. Despite Blanche’s many dalliances with various different men she has not found a companion or any real love. The brief moment of hope that he and Blanche share, when it seems as if they might find happiness together at the end of scene six ‘sometimes - there’s God - so quickly’ is a reminder that in a world that will not sustain such romantic hopes for long. At least it will not do so for Blanche, and probably not for Mitch either, who also seems bound for failure and continued loneliness in life.
Williams also uses Mitch to present and contribute to the theme of women being dependant on men. A Streetcar Named Desire presents a sharp critique of the way the institutions and attitudes of post-war America placed restrictions on women’s lives. Williams uses Mitch to show Blanche’s dependence on men and to expose the treatment of women during the change from the old to the new America. As Mitch takes Blanche in his arms in scene six, the polka tune that symbolises Blanche’s insanity, fades out. This fading music symbolically shows that through marrying Mitch, Blanche can escape her destitution. This also shows her total reliance on men.
Another of Mitch’s roles is to contribute to the theme of a double standard in post-war America. According to sparknotes.com there is a theme running through the play that men can act in any way they choose and society will tolerate their actions. However, women have to abide by certain codes and strict morals to be accepted by society. The first example of this is when Blanche refers back to the loss of Belle Reve- her ‘beautiful dream.’ Her inheritance as gradually lost by her grandfathers and uncles and their ‘epic fornications’. However, after everything was lost it was left to Blanche- a woman to pick up the pieces. Mitch shows this double standard in scene nine when he tries to rape Blanche. He has been told of Blanche’s ‘dishonourable’ past and has come to confront Blanche about it. His annoyance and anger are obvious from the start of the scene. He chastises her about her past and about the ‘malarky she has dished out all summer’-clearly embarrassed about the way he has been treated. In his confusion and anger he ‘fumbles to embrace her’ and states his reluctance to marry her. Towards the end of the scene he remarks to Blanche that she’s ‘not clean enough to bring in the house with my mother.’ This is a clear example of society’s double standard. There is no mention of the fact that she was used by the men she slept with. All the fault lies with Blanche- the woman. Also Mitch is disgusted at her promiscuity, but is promiscuous himself in his desire to have Blanche physically.
In addition Mitch’s character is effective at presenting a theme of inequality between the sexes. Williams does this by creating a male character who is more sensitive man than the others. As mentioned on cliffsnotes.com Mitch cares deeply for his mother; he is capable of meaningful relationships (the inscription on the cigarette case). He has more than a basic sexual desire for Blanche- he does not rape her but leaves and is visibly upset at the loss of his potential love. These are all considered to be feminine character traits and in Tennessee Williams’ play- society accepts them. However, Blanche’s promiscuity, her heavy drinking, her ambition to run a successful plantation at Belle Reve are all considered to be masculine traits. However, she is punished, chastised and bullied throughout the play for her desires.
The character of Mitch contributes towards many themes within the play A Streetcar Named Desire. His ultimate role is to provide a foil character to Blanche and give her character the opportunity to reveal more of herself to the audience. The most glaring theme Mitch presents is the difference between the real world he lives in and the fantasy world that Blanche refuses to let go of. Tennessee Williams’ expression of Mitch’s life in such a real sense exacerbates Blanche’s life of fantasy and illusion.
Word Count – 1,410
Bibliography
Tennessee Williams, 1947, A Streetcar Named Desire,
Webliography
Accessed 20/12/2011
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/streetcar/canalysis.html Accessed 20/12/2011
Accessed 20/12/2011
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