I am not a big fan of characterizing literary or cinematic figures in a way that feels judgmental, or at least not describing characters from my own point of comfortable reference and understanding. But it is obvious to me that Mitchelle Pritchett from Modern Family—a character I love and relate to so much—is represented as an uptight, stiff, and inhibited character, who contrasts with the affectionate and amorous partner, Cameron Tucker.
To understand Mitch, one ought to understand his upbringing, and his dad, Jay Pritchett, is stiff and unable to understand the new-age —although later on he metamorphoses and shows transformation, learning to accept or even tolerate the social and technological changes of the new age. Mitch, a lawyer, seems to be bothered by extreme displays of affection, and upon Dede’s death—his mother’s death—Phil, his step-brother, asks Cameron with a tinge of uncertainty: “How are we going to handle this?” given that Mitch and his sister Claire… to which Cam responds: “You mean because the two most emotionally complicated people on earth are facing the loss of the most complicated relationship of their lives.”
I know it is not that timely to be talking about Modern Family, but I can’t help it with Mitch. I feel like he represents most of the men who want to be emotionally “strong.” It doesn’t help that he is a lawyer, and that he has to relate to the quite opposite Cameron. Mitch wants to put everything in order—failure to do so makes him mad, and he obsesses over “little things,” like when Cam fails to do the dishes, or when he is supposed to enjoy his vacation but ends up working virtually.
Mitch is emblematic of the macho, masculine culture passed down from his dad, and he is always in a liminal state—the psychological effect of his upbringing and the need to live his life without guilt or shame. He constantly has to navigate both extremes: being exposed to his inhibited father on one side and the superfluous Cam on the other. The most interesting parts to watch, for me, are when Mitch’s liminal negotiation slips out of his control and he steps into his own character. For example, in the scene where Cam brings home a chicken as a pet, Mitch is proud to go to the farm supply store. He puts on overalls and carries the feed on his shoulders with pride.
I feel like I want to talk more about Mitch, and as I continue watching this show, I will surface with more analysis of this character, who is my favorite.
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