Streetcar Mitch Character Change

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  • Created by: ashlule
  • Created on: 12-03-18 11:42
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  • Change in Mitch's Character
    • Scene Six
      • Very self-conscious
        • "I guess it must be pretty late-and you're tired
          • Imperative of 'it must be' and the affirmative statement 'you're tired' are Mitch trying to justify why the date didn't go well, as not to blame himself or Blanche directly-convincing himself
        • "I'm afraid you haven't gotten much fun out of this evening, Blanche"
          • Adjective 'afraid' reveals that Mitch has a genuine fear of disappointingBlanche, particularly given the syntax of the sentence ('afraid' at beginning of sentence)
        • "Can I -uh-kiss you-goodnight?"
          • "I don't know if you want me to or not"
            • Repetition of the hyphens denote nervous pauses, as though his conscience is holding him back from asking for fear of rejection
        • "I am ashamed of the way I perspire"
          • Not only does he admit to being ashamed, but the use of a sophistic-ated verb (perspire) mimics the manner in which Blanche speaks-Mitch is so insecure he adopts her manner of speech
      • Tender with Blanche
        • "[He comes behind her and puts his hands on her waist and raises her lightly off the ground]"
          • Adverb 'lightly' denotes that Mitch is extremely gentle with Blanche
        • "[Drawing her slowly into his arms]"
          • "[He comes behind her and puts his hands on her waist and raises her lightly off the ground]"
            • Adverb 'lightly' denotes that Mitch is extremely gentle with Blanche
        • "[He kisses her forehead and her eyes and finally her lips]"
          • Syndetic listing of all the areas Mitch has kissed emphasis-es the insistent nature of it, as though he cannot help himself (listing). Not only a tender action, but done in excess
        • "To be lonely? "Dead?" "A man?"
          • Repetition of phrases followed by questions create an inquisitive tone, but instead of Stanley who uses them to acquire power, he asks them as a means of finding out about Blanche without outright saying things which may be touchy subjects for her
      • Emotionally driven and sensitive
        • "I like you to be exactly the way that you are, because in all my-experience-I have never known anyone like you"
          • The comma separating the two classes denotes a pause in which he considers whether to be vulnerable and honest or not. Hyphens denote nervous pauses, showing his candidness
        • "I told my mother how nice you were, and I liked you"
          • Comma here denotes a pause in which Mitch decides whether to add the personal clause afterwards. A fact, that he told his mother, requires no thought, but he takes a second to consider being vulnerable or not. Starting with the personal pronoun 'I' shows vulnerability and openness
      • Holds back often
        • "You just...do what you want to"
          • Elipses denote him abandoning his original comment, most likely a compliment or sexual comment following Blanche's offer to leave the lights off (normally sexual)
          • (About how much Stanley has told him about Blanche) "Oh-not very much"
            • The hyphen denotes a quick change in wording, with the nondescript 'not very much' covering up the truth-tactful in order to spare Blanche's feelings
        • "Well I-don't see how anybody could be rude to you"
          • The hyphen between personal pronoun 'I' and rest of sentence denotes a pause due to what follows being too personal. Then, the general 'anybody' juxtaposes the personal 'I' beforehand, showing an unwillingness to be too forward
    • Scene Nine
      • Very forthcoming (often rude or curt)
        • "Are you boxed out of your mind?"
          • 'Boxed' is a very colloquial term-Mitch uses similar terms as Stanley does (lost all of his grace and charm). Also, 'out of your mind' is almost a euphemism for being insane-lost all tact and sensitivity towards Blanche. Too curt
            • This change (becoming more bestial, tactless, etc) is symbolic of his transition between the Old Southern gentleman and the New Southern man
        • "I don't like fans", "I don't want Stan's liquor'
          • Both statements begin with personal pronoun 'I'-has become very selfish like Stanley (yet was once very selfless). Also, the repetition of 'don't gives him a very pessimistic tone. The statements are also, despite being opinions, voiced to create some action as a result (turning off the fan, etc). His whims become demands, like Stanley
      • Bestial / animalistic
        • "[He is unshaven]"
          • Adjective 'unshaven' gives the impression of him being unkempt, with unruly hair (juxtaposes his 'clean cut' appearance before)
        • "[He ignores it and pushes past her into the flat]"
          • The verb 'pushes' has very violent, careless connotat-ions which greatly juxtaposes the 'soft' way he handled Blanche earlier. More animalistic, lack of tenderness
        • "[Mitch grunts]"
          • The verb 'grunt' is often associated with cavemen or primitive beings-apes. The same terms used to refer to Stanley (becoming him)?
        • "[Stupidly]", "[Mitch stares at her dumbly"
          • Adverbs 'stupidly' and 'dumbly' insinuate a primitive quality about Mitch (again, referring to the ape concept as is with Stanley). Idea of Mitch becoming New Southern and thus, losing intellect
      • Critical/insult-ing towards Blanche
        • "He says you been licking it up all summer like a wild-cat!"
          • The simile , with the inclusion of 'wild-cat' has very bestial connotat-ions, of a person who cannot control themselves. Also the verb 'lapping' also alludes to an animalistic side to Blanche-this is far different from his kind, considerate treatment of Blanche previously. Exclamation mark shows frustration and lack of patience too
        • "I told you already I don't want none of his liquor and I mean it"
          • Structure of the phrase 'I told you' is interesting. Here, Mitch is the subject and Blanche is the object, shows his disregard for her and feelings of superiority (and sentence starts with personal pronoun 'I' to emphasise this'. Ending of 'I mean it' resembles a threat, or the scolding tone of a parent (power imbalance)
        • "If you don't know, it must belong to Stan"
          • Unlike the understanding Mitch of the previous chapters, he calls Blanche out for her bluff regarding her obvious alcohol dependancy with no tact at all. Using the nickname of 'Stan' around her when he knows her dislike for him further adds to the  insensitive, purposefully hurtful nature of Mitch now.
            • Also the verb 'must' in reference to it belonging to Stanley if Blanche doesn't know if it's hers further cements to Blanche the idea that she has no belongings or value of her own-the emphasis which 'must' carries suggests it is obvious something of value cannot possibly be hers (rubs salt in the wound purposely)
          • Also the verb 'must' in reference to it belonging to Stanley if Blanche doesn't know if it's hers further cements to Blanche the idea that she has no belongings or value of her own-the emphasis which 'must' carries suggests it is obvious something of value cannot possibly be hers (rubs salt in the wound purposely)
        • "I've asked you to go out with me...but you always make an excuse. You never want to"
          • Repetition of pronoun 'you' produces an accusatory tone from Mitch towards Blanche. Instead of elevating Blanche of her worries and insecurities, he blames her over and over again
      • Violent and forceful
        • "[He tears the paper lantern off the light-bulb]"
          • Verb 'tears' has very violent and careless connotat-ions. Since one can argue the paper lantern represents Blanche's rekindled hopes for love, Mitch has ripped this to shreds dismissively
        • "[Fumbling to embrace her]"
          • Verb 'fumbling' indicates a rough, careless grasp on Blanche, compared to the 'slow', tender manner in which he used to hold her before
        • "[[Mitch] clatters awkwardly down the steps]"
          • The verb 'clattered' portrays a graceless, violent/ heavy-footed tread down the stairs (like a caveman, link to animalism). Yet the verb 'awkwardly'refers back to the old Mitch from earlier chapters. Both co-existing and next to one another in the sentences is symbolic of Mitch becoming of the New South but not completely devoid of the Old, of being a gentleman

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