WOW ! “Doubt: A Parable” by John Shanley.

Here's my essay on  the play “Doubt: A Parable” by John Shanley.

Intuition

People have a third sense called intuition. This intuition allows them to know when thing aren’t right. There can be no physical evidence of this intuition a person feels. This is true for Sister Aloysius in the play, “Doubt: A Parable” by John Shanley. The setting is in a strict catholic school, St. Nicholas Elementary School in Bronx, New York.  The main character Sister Aloysius thinks that Father Flynn is having inappropriate relationships with Donald. The title of the play could be related to Sister Aloysius “doubt” of Father Flynn. On the other hand, Sister James tries to believe Father Flynn. Sister Aloysius has been the principal for St. Nicholas for many years. She is much older than Sister James. As one ages, a lot of wisdom is grained about life. Sister James and Sister Aloysius do feel the same about Father Flynn but, they have different ways of showing it.

            Without looking deeper into the play it can be inferred that Sister James believes that Father Flynn is innocent. She is a very naive person. Sister Aloysius thinks William starts his nose bleed himself. Sister James says “You mean, you think he might’ve intentionally given himself a nosebleed?” (1469). She finds the good in everyone. Sister Aloysius tells Sister James that she is a “very innocent person” (1469). Later in the play, She even says to Sister Aloysius that she will “try to be less innocent” (1473). It is not a secret that she does have a sweet kind heart. She is a perfect example of what most think about nuns. After Father Flynn explains what Donald did the narrator says that “Sister James is overjoyed” (1483). She then says to Sister Aloysius, “Oh, what a relief! That explains everything! Thanks be to God! Oh, Sister it was all a mistake!” (1483). Sister James doesn’t want to judge anyone. I don’t think Sister James really believes Father Flynn. When Father Flynn and her are alone she asks him again “Is it true?” (1486). If she would have believed his story the first time she wouldn’t be asking Father Flynn again. She is trying to follow her religion. She is fighting with herself on the inside. She explains to Father Flynn how she is having “Bad dreams. Actually one bad dream, and then I haven’t slept right since” (1485). She is thinking about the accusation of Father Flynn and Donald. Sister James shows excitement when Sister Aloysius tells her Father Flynn left. Sister James says to Sister Aloysius “So you did prove it!” (1496). This excitement shows that deep down inside Sister James didn’t believe Father Flynn’s story. On the other hand, Sister Aloysius voices her strong opinion.

Sister Aloysius strongly believes that Father Flynn is guilty. One could say that Sister Aloysius does have some bias about Father Flynn. Sister James says to Sister Aloysius, “You don’t like him! You don’t like that he use ballpoint pen. You don’t like he takes three lumps of sugar in his tea. You don’t like it that he likes ‘Frosty the Snowman” (1484). There are many things that Sister Aloysius doesn’t like about Father Flynn. From the very beginning, Sister Aloysius knows Father Flynn is guilty. She says to Sister James “Of all of the children. Donald Muller. I supposed it makes sense” (1476). She has no physical evidence to prove Father Flynn is guilty. She does understand what role her religion plays in this accusation of Father Flynn and Donald. She explains to Sister James that “when you take a step to address wrongdoing you are taking a step away from God, but in His service” (1476). After Father Flynn denies the accusations upon him Sister Aloysius “is unmoved” (1483). She even questions Father Flynn further. She keeps her view that Father Flynn is guilty. She even lies to make Father Flynn resign. She explains to Sister James how she got Father Flynn to resign. She tells Sister James she told Father Flynn she “had found out his prior history of infringements” (1496). She makes up this story to see if Father Flynn does have a “history of infringements” (1496). She shows herself that Father Flynn is guilty because he resigned. She explains to Sister James that “if he had no such history, the lie wouldn’t have worked. His resignation was his confession. He was what I thought he was” (1497). Her prayers are answered.

            In conclusion Sister James and Sister Aloysius do feel the same about Father Flynn. Sister James has a hard time believing Father Flynn. Throughout the story there are many examples of when she is in doubt. Her personality plays a major role in how she goes about expressing her view. Sister Aloysius is a principle. Sister Aloysius has to protect her student body. From the beginning, Sister Aloysius already know Father Flynn is guilty. One shouldn’t give up in what they believe in.

Works Cited

Shanley, John. “Doubt: A Parable.” The Compact Bedford Introduction to Literature. Ed. Michael Meyer. 9^th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s 2012. 1467-1497. Print.