Mitch

Question 1

Mitch as a foil to Stanley

Answer 1

• whilst Stanley is presented as an ‘alpha male’ the eptiome of aggressive yet attractive masculinity symbolic of a culture which venerate hegemonic masculinity, Mitch is the opposite
• he is gentle and well mannered andbianche notices this: ‘that one seems - superior to the others’ he says ‘how do you do’
• contrasts with Stanley who ‘spears a pork chop… eats it with his fingers’ and ‘views women for pleasure and impregnantion’
• his care for his mother is mocked in an almost freudian way - ‘we’ll fix you a sugar tit
• Whilst Stanley is sexually attractive ‘my clothes are sticking to me… mind if I make myself comfortable’ Mitch’s sweatiness is repulsive therefore he serves as the antithesis of Stanley ‘I am ashamed of the way I perspire, my shirt is sticking to me’
• his inability to handle a sexual woman is emphasised in the fact he hold the Mae West statuette upside down

Question 2

George-claude Guilbert

Answer 2

‘his boyish fragility, clearly is opposed to Stanley’s brutish strength’

Question 3

Mitch and the complicated nature of masculinity

Answer 3

• although he is initially emasculated and presented as sexually repulsive, used by Williams to create the non-hegemonic beta-male who is presented wit the sensitivity and gentleness typically associated with women, this illusion is ultimately shattered when Mitch finds the truth out about blanchr
• this reflects male honour: he cannot deal with her sexually promiscopius past
• he is clearly influenced by the same masculine culture, foreshadowing the rape when he tries to turn up drunk and assault her
  ‘you’re not clean enough to bring in a house with my mother’
  desires ‘what he missed out pn’
• Mitch therefore represents the reality of the depths of toxic masculinity,

Question 4

Mitch as a vehicle for blanche’s fantasies

Answer 4

• initially represents a sense of safety for blanche, she clings to him for Hope: ‘yes - I want Mitch… very badly! Just think! If it happens! I can leave here and not be anyone’s problem’
• ‘blanche waltzes to the music with romantic gestures. Mitch is delighted and movs in imitation like a dancing bear’ - her attem[pt to preserve fantasies onto him highlights their utter incompatibility
• the young man - she throws away her future with Mitch - eros and Thanatos - streetcars
• ‘has anyone ever told you that you loo k like a young prince out of the Arabian night’s
• ‘Mitch appears around the corner with a bunch of roses…. my rosenkavalier’ - her attempt at pretence is doomed to failure