Mitch’s character is minor however his role is used as a contrast by Tennessee to Stanley’s character who is one of the major characters. Stanley having this animalistic nature, hot-tempered, selfishness in him where as Mitch is characterised as being very caring, concerned and sensitive. For example difference in Stanley’s and Mitch’s treatment of Blanche at the play’s end underscores Mitch’s fundamental gentlemanliness.
The respect and care that Mitch treats Blanche with ‘I don’t see how anybody could be rude to you’ puts him apart from Stanley who is always insulting her. Mitch is the representative of the decent gentleman as described by Blanche in conversation with Stella ‘…seems superior to others’ and she notices the ‘…sort of sensitive look in him’. Though Mitch desires and makes clear that he wants to sleep with Blanche, but he does not rape her but instead leaves when she cries out. Also, 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.
Later on in scene three another aspect of Mitch is revealed as he meets Blanche DuBois. Blanche is quick to notice the hint of sensitivity in him that makes him seem superior to the others which she mentions to Stella after meeting him the first time in scene three. She says that he‘…seems superior to others’ and he has a ‘…sort of sensitive look in him’ which in his eyes sets him apart from the others guys. Blanche asks Stella if he is ‘married’ and his occupation. This suggests that perhaps Blanche is attracted to him because of sensitivity which she is looking for and Mitch is the representative of the decent gentleman who could save Blanche from the past that she is trying to escape.
Although Mitch has this sensitivity and gentlemanliness in him he lacks Blanche’s romantic perspective and spirituality, as well as her understanding of poetry and literature. She toys with his lack of intelligence for example she teases him in French ‘je Suis la dame aux camellias!’ then asks him ‘understand French?’ knowing that he doesn’t know French. Though they come from completely different worlds, Mitch and Blanche are drawn together by their mutual need of companionship and support, and they therefore believe themselves right for one another.
Through Mitch’s character we see the need of love, closeness and support in Blanche. After meeting Mitch, Blanche reveals her past and the guilt that she is living in, which is death of her husband. In scene six, she goes and starts ‘lighting a candle’ and says that ‘we are going to pretend that we are sitting in a little artist café …’.this shows her hopes of romance and ‘wanting to create’ joy of life.
Through Mitch’s character, Tennessee Williams shows the desperate need of love in Blanche which she wants to make her feel powerful. She asks Mitch to ‘take of your coat’ which he rejects by saying ‘I better leave it on’ but she doesn’t give up and goes as far as taking ‘his coat off from him’. This highlights the desperate need inside her for which she will do anything. Blanche’s get together with Mitch exposes her sexual double standard. And Mitch being well-mannered tries his best to impress Blanche as he himself has never met someone like her and so he as much as Blanche needs this relationship. Mitch admits his loneliness and need ‘you need somebody and I need somebody too, could it be –you and me …’.This suggests his honesty and understanding of Blanche’s past.
However Mitch appears to be a kind, caring and gentlemen because in the rough society of men like Stanley, Mitch is considered a valuable discovery. Blanche chooses Mitch because he is the only choice left to give her some hope of happiness and joy of life.
Once he discovers the truth about Blanche’s distasteful sexual past when he arrives to chastise her is, he is both angry and embarrassed about it and his actions are violent towards her. He states that he feels he deserves to have sex with her, even though he no longer respects her enough to think her fit to be his wife. Through his negative actions, it makes us feel sympathy for Blanche as he also mentions that she is not ‘clean enough for his mother’. His rejection of Blanche is perhaps also a cause of her madness as well as her rape as she is left with no hope of her future.
