The Night of the Iguana, a play by Tennessee Williams, revolves around Lawrence T. Shannon, a disgraced former minister turned tour guide, who is accused of statutory rape. At a rustic hotel owned by Maxine Faulk in Mexico, Shannon battles to maintain control of his tour group. The play delves into themes of man's relationship with God, sexual desire, loneliness, jealousy, and confinement.

Tennessee Williams' The Night of the Iguana is lauded for its rich, complex characters and intense emotional depth, capturing human frailties and existential dilemmas. Critics praise Williams' potent dialogue and vivid setting. However, some find the narrative pacing occasionally sluggish, and the plot's density a potential obstacle for casual readers.

A reader who enjoys introspective drama, complex characters, and psychological tension will find The Night of the Iguana by Tennessee Williams riveting. Fans of Williams' other works or those who appreciate Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman and Eugene O'Neill's Long Day's Journey Into Night will likely be drawn to this powerful, character-driven narrative.

Mysterious / Dark / Emotional / Melancholic / Contemplative

Tennessee Williams

Adult

Play

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Night of the Iguana reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Night of the Iguana | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Night of the Iguana and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Night of the Iguana Summary

Background

The Night of the Iguana Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Act Summaries & Analyses

Act I

The Night of the Iguana Act I Summary & Analysis

Act II

The Night of the Iguana Act II Summary & Analysis

Act III

The Night of the Iguana Act III Summary & Analysis

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

character

Character Analysis

The Night of the Iguana Character Analysis

theme

Themes

The Night of the Iguana Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Night of the Iguana Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

The Night of the Iguana Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The Night of the Iguana Essay Topics

The Night of the Iguana

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Night of the Iguana?

Reading Age

Book Details