The Night of the Iguana

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains implications of suicidal ideation.

The storm has passed, having knocked out the power, and Shannon sits at a table writing a letter to the bishop. Nonno and Hannah are in their rooms, reciting poetry and reading. Shannon wants Maxine to send an employee to mail his letter tonight, but they have already left to spend their evening in town. Shannon remarks that Fred is fortunate to be dead. Unperturbed by his nastiness, Maxine replies that although she is mourning for Fred, their relationship, their sex life, and communication died long before Fred did. Shannon mentions Pancho and Pedro, but Maxine explains that, unlike Fred, they do not respect her. Maxine recalls a conversation in which she heard Shannon telling Fred about how his mother punished him harshly for masturbating; she sees this as the root of Shannon’s anger at the church and his desire to have sex with young girls. She upsets Shannon by asking if he mentioned his forthcoming statutory rape charge in his letter. Shannon pushes her away when she tries to comb her fingers through his hair, announcing that he’ll take the bus to town and mail his letter. Maxine warns, “Watch out for