40 pages • 1 hour read
Tennessee WilliamsCat on a Hot Tin Roof
Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1955A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams revolves around the Pollitt family, who gather to celebrate patriarch Big Daddy's birthday, unaware he is terminally ill. His sons, Brick and Gooper, along with their wives, vie for his inheritance while facing personal struggles, deception, and family secrets, culminating in dramatic confrontations. This book includes discussions on alcohol addiction, anti-gay bias, and suicidal thinking.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is widely lauded for its intense exploration of family dynamics, deceit, and personal anguish. Critics praise its sharp dialogue and complex characters, especially the portrayals of Maggie and Brick. Some reviews note the melodramatic tone and abrupt shifts in mood as potential drawbacks. Overall, it remains a significant, compelling work in American theater.
Who Should Read Cat on a Hot Tin Roof?
A reader who would enjoy Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams is likely drawn to intense family dramas and complex character studies. Fans of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman or Eugene O’Neill’s Long Day's Journey into Night will appreciate the intricate emotional conflicts and themes of truth and illusion in Williams' play.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
NP0LBook Details
Southern Gothic
Play: Drama
Classic Fiction
Relationships: Family
Identity: Sexuality
Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness