I like you to be exactly the way that you are, because in all my – experience – I have never known anyone like you.
[Blanche looks at him gravely; then she bursts into laughter and then claps a hand to her mouth.]
– Tennessee Williams
A Streetcar Named Desire, Scene 6. Back at the flat after their date night, Mitch is in awe of Blanche, as he candidly expresses feelings of admiration for her. He declares that he just wants her to be herself, which is ironic, because the person he has fallen for is not the real Blanche, but an illusion. A naive Mitch has been fooled by the mask of deceit she hides behind, her lies and false appearances. But Blanche’s mask slips momentarily when she bursts out laughing and then has to quickly stop herself.