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Blanche
Blanche DuBois was raised on a wealthy plantation, shaped by tradition, luxus and an upper class society.. She is an educated woman, making her belong to a typical middle-upper social class in the 40´s.
Since Mitch is Stanley´s co-worker and buddy, he belongs to the same social class as Stanöey (low class and uneducated). However, in terms of attitude and use of language in the society, Mitch is more polite and less manly than Stanley
Because she lost her husband at Belle Reve; she desperately seeks for desire, love and passion. It makes her unprotected and insecure against men sometimes.
The ancestral plantation "Belle Reve" has been lost, which has been a sorrow for Blanche. She has lost her young beauty and power, getting older.
She can never tolerate cruelty and misunderstanding.
Since he lost his fiancée, he desperately desires Blanche, feeling the same things and sharing the same emotions with her. Their relationship so far is based on companionship.
Because his mother is profoundly ill and therefore depends on Mitch; he is more gentleman and polite than Stanley and his buddies. She also lacks manliness.
She never tells her real age and for that, does not want to be seen in the harshness of bright light
She lies, but never with the intention to hurt somebody but she does it because of her weakness,her immaturity and a fear of reality.
Blanche; a fallen women, performing sexual behavior, insecure and dislocated, dainty, frail and fragile, she tends to be showy and attractive towards males, by marrying she wants to escape poverty and bad reputation, Mitch is her only satisfaction.
Since she lost her plantation and beloved husband, she is lonely, therefore seeks protection and companionship. She is in need for trust and dedication.
He is generally described as a sensitive, polite, tolerant, understanding, charming guy. Not as manly and primitive as Stanley.
They both share common emotions and perceptions to each other, because they both lost their closest friends/darlings. They desperately need someone to live with, to trust and to be dedicated to. That is why there is a secret and mysterious relationship between Blanche and Mitch.
Blanche shows her high-class background to everyone by her appearance, she is perfumed, well dressed, and soft-spoken
Mitch 2
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
Use of lower class and colloquial language: "Kind of on your high horse,
ain´t you?, "I oughta go home pretty soon."
He is extremely bounded to his sick mother and prefers her for anything: "I gotta sick mother...", "... all the while i keep wondering how she is."
He shows courtesy towards women: "(with awkward courtesy) How do you do, Miss DuBois?"
He seeks for someone to live with for the rest of his life in case his mother dies. He does not want to be lonely: "... But i´ll be alone when she goes". Foreshadowing why he gets attracted by Blanche.
Mitch and Blanche are having a kind and soft relationship and communication. They meticulously choose their words and speak them softly: "Hello", "We´ve", "I hate", "I do not think so", "what kind", "Oh, good"...
Language and Identity Theory
They both wonder about whether they are married.
He is not as manly and masculine as Stanley and the fellows: "Poker should not be played in a house with women".
Michael Munson theory: "The identity of people reflect on their language and relationship
As mentioned before, Blanche belongs to a highly cultural, educated and upper social class which is why her daily language is sophisticated and appealing, not street language. Besides, she tends to get along with other people in a quite polite and peaceful manner.
Effect of social class and experiences on behavior and relationship
Greeting Mitch in a kind way, maintaining the conversation with Mitch, showing sympathy and empathy towards especially Mitch, use of similes and figurative language while speaking ("...Like an orchard in spring!, "...what lung-power..."), having a strong background on sonnets, poems and literature, feeling pity for her sister, "where is my little sister?Stella?Stella?", she has mercy.
Blanche 2
Cares about her beauty and appearance, because she tends to stay young and charming just like in the past: " How do i look?"
She speaks with long sentences and uses sophisticated language; similes and figurative language: " I feel so hot and frazzled. Wait till i powder before you open the door. Do i look done it?", ... , "One that has been picked a few days".
She is kind and elegant towards men: " Please do not get up", "Poker is fascinating. Could i kibitz
Gender Theories on Women
She wants to clean her harsh past and discard the bad memories in Belle Reve, by constantly bathing: "I think i will bath".
Even though Mitch is as lower class and wealthy as Stanley, he is not as primitive and macho as him; due to living with a sick mother and having lost his wife at wedding. (having a decent conversation with Blanche, "How do you do, Miss DuBois?", "Oh, good.What a pretty case, silver?", "
Since she can not tolerate rudeness and cruelty, she gets offended when Stanley shouts at women to leave the poker place: "My nerves are in knots..."
Robin Lakoff: in 1975, published an influential account of women´s language:
Since she is educated and upper-class, she recognizes the sonnet and the poet: "Why, that is form my favorite sonnet by Mrs.Browning.
He is identified as a kind, tolerant, polite, understanding and less manly guy, which differentiates him from his poker buddies:"Poker should not be played in a place with women", "I beleive you are right about that.'"You may teach school but you certainly are not an old maid.
She escapes from light to hide her real age: "Oh, am i?" (she moves out of the yellow streak of light.), "I bought..., ... Put it over the light bulb!"
She lies to Mitch about her real age to and states that she is younger than Stella: "... i call her little in spite of the fact she is somewhat older than me
However, his use of language can be slang, unsophisticated and colloquial sometimes. "Aw, lay off.", "I wasn´t listenin´", "deal me out.".