Harold Mitchell (Mitch)
Literature in English: Cambridge International GCSE A Streetcar Named Desire, topic 3.2.2
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.
Test yourself on Harold Mitchell (Mitch)
Which of Mitch's possessions is engraved with a quotation from a sonnet?
Which of these are true of Mitch?
Who thinks of Mitch as something of a mummy's boy?
What is Mitch compared to when he dances?
Who does Mitch lash out at in the final scene?