A Streetcar Named Desire: Character & Key Quotes: Mitch

Understanding the Character: Harold Mitchell (Mitch)

Mitch serves as a strikingly different type of masculinity compared to Stanley Kowalski, displaying respect and gentleness towards women.
He seeks genuine connection and compassion, as opposed to Stanley’s disregard and dominance.
Mitch’s humble background and caring nature towards his sick mother render him a sympathetic character.
He is depicted as honest and perceptive; his gradual suspicion and eventual confrontation of Blanche’s lies highlight his sense of truthfulness.

Key Themes Associated with Mitch

Desire for Family: Mitch’s deep concern for his mother and longing for a family show his entrenched desire to continue his family line.
Truth versus Illusion: Mitch values truth and honesty, a trait that eventually causes conflict between him and Blanche.
Masculinity: Mitch represents a gentler, more refined perspective on masculinity, providing a stark contrast to Stanley’s brutish character.
Loneliness and Human Connection: Mitch’s desire to establish a meaningful connection with Blanche illuminates the theme of loneliness and yearning for companionship.

Important Quotes

“You need somebody—and I need somebody, too. Could it be—you and me, Blanche?” - Mitch indicating his desire for companionship.
“You lied to me, Blanche” - Mitch confronting Blanche’s deception about her past.
“I don’t think I ever seen you in the light. That’s a fact!” - Mitch, symbolic of his realisation of Blanche’s deceit and illusions.

Literary Style and Devices

Mitch is used as a foil to demonstrate the diversity of masculinity in the play, showing calm and restraint against Stanley’s brusceness.
He is a symbol of hope and possibility for Blanche’s future.
The playwright utilises Mitch’s character as a medium of truth revelation and plays with dramatic irony as the audience becomes aware of the truth before Mitch does.
Tennessee Williams uses dialogue and actions through Mitch to reveal Blanche’s true nature to the audience.

Each of these viewpoints offers a different lens through which you can consolidate your comprehension of Mitch’s character in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’.