本文從比較視角檢視中國文化對田納西·威廉斯劇作《鬣鱗蜥之夜》中死亡主題之影響。劇中所有和中國有關的細節形成了一個以道教為基礎的中國文化體系,此中國文化體系不但對劇作主題有重要的影響,而且對主要人物的生活態度及死亡觀念也有重要的影響。通過對東方生活態度及死亡觀念和西方生活態度及死亡觀念的對比,作者正面肯定東方堅忍自制的精神及宿命論的信仰優于西方過度內疚、痛苦及自責之道德成見。

This paper explores the death theme of The Night of the Iguana by Tennessee Williams with a comparative approach by arguing that the Chinese attitudes towards life and death are positively compared and contrasted with the Western attitudes. Among other things, all the Chinese allusions in the play do form a coherent and systematic pattern that is established with traditional Chinese culture rooted in Confucianism and Taoism, which not only helps shape the major themes of the conflicts "between belief and disbelief," but also affects the major characters’ attitudes towards both life and death. Comparing Western attitudes with Chinese attitudes towards both life and death, Williams forms a contrasting dichotomy suggesting that the Eastern attitudes of stoicism and fatalism are offered as a positive alternative to the Western preoccupations with guilt and suffering.