Harold Mitchell (Mitch)

Mitch: Different to Other Men

Harold Mitchell (Mitch) is one of Stanley’s closest friends. He is briefly seen at the start of the play but is more fully developed in Scene Three.

Poker game

In the game, Mitch is portrayed as being different from the rest of the players.
Whilst they enjoy earthy humour and the run of the game, he is more distant. This shows his sensitivity but also sets him up as a tragic victim.

Blanche's view of Mitch

When Mitch meets Blanche, she recognises that he is different and more sensitive than other men Blanche has met in New Orleans.
There is a sense that Mitch reminds her of her young husband.
He has a cigarette case engraved with a quotation from a sonnet which impresses Blanche. She appears to have found another poetic soul.

Different from Stanley

Mitch is obviously very different from Stanley. He is proud of his athleticism and physicality and uses this to try to chat up Blanche. He could 'hold' her up emotionally as well as physically.
Mitch shows a good deal of humanity. He speaks about caring for his mother and says she is unable to sleep until he comes home.
Stanley’s response is to consider him something of a mummy’s boy, but Mitch shows he is both caring and respectful of women.

Mitch: Character Flaws

As the play progresses, it becomes clear that Mitch could be the gentleman to save Blanche from herself but he also has limitations.

Lacking "brutal desire"

Although not rough, Mitch is less well-educated than Blanche.
We get the impression that he has none of the "brutal desire" that Blanche so wishes for.
She may be enjoying his attention because of her emotional fragility.

Clumsy with words and moves

Mitch is rather clumsy in what he says – perhaps because he is not used to talking to women in this way.
He is a "dancing bear" when following Blanche’s steps, but when compared to the rest of the men, he appears to suit her. He is also over-courteous.

Naïve

Mitch is a little naïve. Sometimes, he brags about himself and his life.
He is naïve about Blanche’s background. When Stanley tells him the truth about Blanche, he is upset and believes that she is "unclean".
He seems to later regret this feeling only when it is too late, once Blanche has reached a point of no return.
Mitch does not have the imagination or the capacity to deal with Blanche’s past.

Tragic end

Mitch perhaps sees things in black and white terms and is unable to see the emotional depth of Blanche.
Therefore, the two of them would not have worked in reality.
In the end, he tries to steady himself at the gambling table but he lashes out at Stanley, who is the person he believes has ruined his opportunity.
In the end, Mitch is also lonely and empty just as Blanche is.

1Context & Overview

1.1The Author

1.1.1Tennessee Williams

1.2Social Context & Setting

1.2.1Social Context

1.2.2Social Issues

1.2.3Setting

1.3Tragedy

1.3.1Overview of the Tragic Genre

1.3.2Modern Domestic Tragedy

1.3.3End of Topic Test - Author, Context & Tragedy

2Scene Summaries

2.1Scene One

2.1.1Scene One: Summary

2.1.2Scene One: Tragedy Ideas

2.2Scene Two

2.2.1Scene Two: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.2.2End of Topic Test - Scenes One-Two

2.3Scene Three

2.3.1Scene Three: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.4Scene Four

2.4.1Scene Four: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.4.2End of Topic Test - Scenes Three & Four

2.5Scene Five

2.5.1Scene Five: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.6Scene Six

2.6.1Scene Six: Summary

2.7Scene Seven

2.7.1Scene Seven: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.8Scene Eight

2.8.1Scene Eight: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.8.2End of Topic Test - Scenes Five-Eight

2.9Scene Nine

2.9.1Scene Nine: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.10Scene Ten

2.10.1Scene Ten: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.11Scene Eleven

2.11.1Scene Eleven: Summary & Tragedy Ideas

2.11.2End of Topic Test - Scenes Nine-Eleven

3Character Profiles

3.1Blanche DuBois & Stanley Kowalski

3.1.1Blanche DuBois - The Past & Illusions

3.1.2Blanche DuBois - Relationship with Men & Breakdown

3.1.3The Dynamic Between Blanche & Stanley

3.1.4End of Topic Test - Blanche & Stanley

3.2Stella Kowalski & Harold Mitchell (Mitch)

3.2.1Stella Kowalski

3.2.2Harold Mitchell (Mitch)

3.3Minor Characters

3.3.1The Hubbels & Other Characters

3.3.2End of Topic Test - Stella, Mitch & Others

4Key Ideas

4.1Sex & Gender

4.1.1Sex & Desire

4.1.2Masculinity & Femininity

4.1.3End of Topic Test - Sex, Desire & Gender

4.2Appearances, Fantasy & Reality

4.2.1Outer & Inner Appearances

4.2.2Fantasy & Reality

4.2.3End of Topic Test - Appearances, Fantasy...

5Writing Techniques

5.1Structure

5.1.1Structure & Stage Design

5.1.2Linking Devices

5.1.3Recurring Motifs

5.2Genre, Form & Language

5.2.1Genre

5.2.2Form & Language

5.2.3End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques

6Critical Debates

6.1Early & Modern Reception

6.1.1Interpreting Blanche & Self-Pity

6.1.2Contemporary & Modern Reviews

6.2Feminist, Psychoanalytic & Marxist Approach

6.2.1Feminist Approach

6.2.2Psychoanalytic Approach

6.2.3Marxist Approach

6.2.4End of Topic Test - Critical Debates

7Ideas About Tragedy

7.1Ideas About Tragedy

7.1.1Tragic Ideas & Villain

7.1.2Tragic Structure & Language

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