John Patrick Shanley’s literary work Doubt: A Parable, is a gripping drama founded on moral certainty and doubt. The story revolves around three main characters in the Catholic school of St. Nicholas. Sister Aloysius, a nun and the principal of the school, is certain that Father Flynn is sexually abusing Donald Muller. Donald is the first and only black student to attend St. Nicholas, which makes him an easy target for a child predator. The main question presented in the story is whether Father Flynn is guilty or innocent of child molestation; however, there is no clear answer which forces the reader to have doubt. Based on the evidence in Patrick Shanley’s play, Doubt: A Parable, I conclude Father Flynn is guilty because his mannerisms coincide
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Father Flynn is genial towards Donald Muller, who is cast aside by society. Donald is a black gay boy in the 1960’s and Father Flynn is a Catholic priest; however, Flynn disregards his religion’s intolerance by taking Donald under his wing. Father Flynn grooms Donald to be an altar boy, a position desired by many. Donald eventually succumbs to the pressure presented by his peers and family, and drinks the forbidden altar wine. However, when Father Flynn discovers Donald’s sin, he chooses to protect Donald rather than reporting the incident to Sister Aloysius. Throughout the play, Sister Aloysius harshly criticizes Father Flynn. She is disgusted by his long nails, his taste for sugar, and his suggestion to become more friendly with the children. Father Flynn speaks of intolerance during his sermon after Sister Aloysius rejects the idea of the children singing “Frosty the Snowman” for the Christmas pageant. Sister Aloysius proves herself to be unrelenting and intolerant, ‘“Frosty the Snowman’ espouses a pagan belief in magic” (Shanley 29). The event that presents the most substantial evidence proving Father Flynn’s innocence occurs at the end of the play. After Sister Aloysius lies to Father Flynn about contacting his previous parishes, Father Flynn leaves in fear of the threat the accusation presents to reputation. However, in the final scene of the play, Sister Aloysius weeps to Sister James, admitting that she, too, has doubts about her supposed certainty. Sister Aloysius’ confession contradicts her previous certainty throughout the play, which leads the reader to share similar doubts about their opinion of Father Flynn. Sister Aloysius sobs, “I have doubts! I have such doubts!” (Shanley 58). Sister Aloysius worries that she may have sinned and accused an innocent man of an atrocious evil. Albeit it is possible that Father
Father Flynn is genial towards Donald Muller, who is cast aside by society. Donald is a black gay boy in the 1960’s and Father Flynn is a Catholic priest; however, Flynn disregards his religion’s intolerance by taking Donald under his wing. Father Flynn grooms Donald to be an altar boy, a position desired by many. Donald eventually succumbs to the pressure presented by his peers and family, and drinks the forbidden altar wine. However, when Father Flynn discovers Donald’s sin, he chooses to protect Donald rather than reporting the incident to Sister Aloysius. Throughout the play, Sister Aloysius harshly criticizes Father Flynn. She is disgusted by his long nails, his taste for sugar, and his suggestion to become more friendly with the children. Father Flynn speaks of intolerance during his sermon after Sister Aloysius rejects the idea of the children singing “Frosty the Snowman” for the Christmas pageant. Sister Aloysius proves herself to be unrelenting and intolerant, ‘“Frosty the Snowman’ espouses a pagan belief in magic” (Shanley 29). The event that presents the most substantial evidence proving Father Flynn’s innocence occurs at the end of the play. After Sister Aloysius lies to Father Flynn about contacting his previous parishes, Father Flynn leaves in fear of the threat the accusation presents to reputation. However, in the final scene of the play, Sister Aloysius weeps to Sister James, admitting that she, too, has doubts about her supposed certainty. Sister Aloysius’ confession contradicts her previous certainty throughout the play, which leads the reader to share similar doubts about their opinion of Father Flynn. Sister Aloysius sobs, “I have doubts! I have such doubts!” (Shanley 58). Sister Aloysius worries that she may have sinned and accused an innocent man of an atrocious evil. Albeit it is possible that Father