mitch

Question 1

what are Mitch’s key characteristics

Answer 1

being a working class man
gentle
sensitive
beta male
inexperienced

Question 2

what does Mitch symbolise

Answer 2

gentle masculinity
hope for Blanche
limitations of being a gentleman
fragility of hope
clumsy

Question 3

how does the beta male relate to Mitch

Answer 3

very feminine and sensitive with immediately makes him less masculine than Stanley
once Blanche’s past is revealed, he becomes sexist and shows his entitlement, underlying misogyny and machismo
the fall of Mitch’s gentle masculinity- shows depth of toxic masculinity and sexism that is embedded into society

Question 4

how does the paper lantern relate to Mitch

Answer 4

he uncharacteristically rips the paper lantern off the light bulb- aggressive symbol for Blanche emerging out of the darkness and her past being revealed
ripping it off the bulb- he is coming out of his ‘soft’ self and becoming toxically masculine

Question 5

how does hope relate to Mitch

Answer 5

he comes into Blanche’s life clumsily, politely and being shy- functions as the last hope for Blanche’s absolution
Mitch is similar to Allan- she is tired of carrying the guilt with her and he soothes her and acts as a beacon of hope