Analysis Of Doubt: A Parable By John Patrick Shanley

The words “certainty” and “doubt” have many varying connotations and implications given a specific context. Even though the definitions of these two words are considered polar opposites of each other, there is one connection between the two that is undeniable: both certainty and doubt can be taken with a grain of salt, as they are all merely just opinions specific to the person that those concepts are presented to. Adding on to that, there is also a concept relating to this; the idea that there is always “the certainty of doubt” and that they are merely two sides of the same coin.

Not only does he now doubt her and her judgment of people because she does not see him for who is really is and trust him, but he now sees that she does not really know who he is as a person. He foreshadows Sister Aloysius’ doubt in this next comment from the sermon saying, “She was immediately seized with an overwhelming sense of guilt,”(p.1956) when she had a dream that the hand of God appeared over her and pointed down on her. Immediately the woman starts to doubt that she has been following the right path and God’s word and has to ask, “Is gossiping a sin?”(p.1956) This is something as Christian that anyone should know however the woman needs confirmation. Father Flynn later states that through gossip this woman has, “played fast and loose with his reputation, and you should be heartily ashamed!” Sister Aloysius could seriously ruin Father Flynn’s reputation which he recognized immediately. She had no concern for him so she did not care what she said about him and how it could affect him and his reputation or even the truth of the matter she was trying to resolve.

For example, it seems as though Sister Aloysius has a vendetta against Father Flynn throughout the parable. Father Flynn remarks to Sister James on this: “The most innocent of actions can appear sinister to the poisoned mind” (Shanley 40). This is a very true statement and throws much doubt on Sister Aloysius’ claims of Father Flynn's doubt. She seems to be a very abrupt and rude person throughout the story and one could claim she was just good at driving people away from her school. However, a statement from Sister Aloysius to Father Flynn makes the reader believe there may be more to her claim. She says to Father Flynn: “I will do what needs to be done, Father, if it means I’m damned to Hell” (Shanley 54). This statement from Sister Aloysius shows how deeply she is committed to keeping her school safe. A nun would not passively say she would go to Hell for something, so this shows really believes in Father Flynn’s guilt and will do what she needs to stop him from molesting the children in her school. This statement shows that her dislike of Father Flynn goes further than just a petty

A person’s doubts can cloud their judgment on certain tasks at hand. On the other hand, a person’s certainty can blind someone from the truth. The argument ofDoubt versus Certainty is relevant today in the sense that it is the main argument for and against religion. The theory of doubt can also be used in literary works for a number of reasons. In John Patrick Shanley’s movie/play Doubt, the theme of “certainty versus doubt” is shown throughout the story to signify the importance of characterization and to symbolize the importance that a person must be cautious of the people around them.

Have you ever had a feeling of doubt? In the play Doubt by John Patrick Shanley the reader is left with a lot of doubt because Father Flynn, one of the main characters, is being persecuted for sexually harassing a young boy in his class. In this play a pastor by the name of Father Flynn is being investigated because Sister Aloysius is suspicious that he has been sexually harassing a young boy by the name of Donald in their school. Based on the evidence in Patrick Shanley’s play, Doubt: A Parable, I conclude that Father Flynn is not guilty, because Sister A does not like Flynn and Sister A doubts all of her wrong doings after all of this commotion. There are also a lot of small reasons why he should be not guilty.

The topic of knowledge and belief has been a subject of investigation and a primary field in philosophical research for centuries. Whether it was Aristotle or Descartes, multiple ideas on knowledge and belief arise, such as the epistemological theories of foundationalism or coherentism, which provide philosophical explanations to this debate. For the sake of this essay, and in my own opinion, knowledge should be distinguished from belief. Everyone is subject to different types of beliefs based on upbringing, however knowledge of basic items is universal, therefore it immediately becomes apparent that there is a clear distinction between the two concepts.

The way Father Flynn is around people shows his innocence. He has a positive impact on the school to everyone except Sister Aloysius. Father Flynn creates the message, not guilty by his relationships. Many people find him likable. Teachers trust him and go to him for help. David Mueller is a black student at St. Nicholas, whom does not feel like he belongs. However, David Mueller finds a father figure in Father Flynn and looks at him as a role model. David Mueller’s mom also had great respect for Father Flynn because he included David Mueller and made him feel appreciated at St. Nicholas. “You know, Father Flynn, Father Flynn. He looks up to him. The man gives him his time, which is what the boy needs. He needs that” (Stanley 44). Also, the mother did not hear about David Mueller getting bullied when he came home from

Most adults would do anything to protect a child. Sister Aloysius did everything she could to make sure Father Flynn would not hurt anymore child. In the play Doubt: a Parable by John Patrick Shanley, Father Flynn, a priest at St. Nicholas, a Catholic church and school in the Bronx, New York, 1964 is questioned whether or not he has been in an inappropriate relationship with an 8th grade colored kid named Donald Mueller. One of the nuns at the school, Sister James tells the principle of the school, Sister Aloysius, her suspicions of the relationship between Father Flynn and Donald and that she smelt wine in his breath. Sister Aloysius questions the priest of the relationship but he denies it and tells her Donald, who was also an altar boy who had access to wine, took some and the priest told no one because he wanted to keep Donald safe. Sister Aloysius meets with Donald’s mother to inform her of the situation but she overlooks it because she needs him to finish 8th grade at the school and Father Flynn is the only one who is friendly to Donald. Father Flynn and Sister Aloysius meet again and she threatens Father Flynn to confess because of information she got from a nun at his last parish. Father Flynn still denies the relationship but he then goes to a different school to be a priest. Based on the evidence in Patrick Shanley’s play, Doubt: A Parable, I conclude Father Flynn is guilty based on his behavior and other evidence against him.

It is difficult to make the decision if Father Flynn is innocent or guilty. In John Patrick Shanley’s Doubt; a parable, he eclipses the truth very well. The scenes about the toy, the camping trip and the undershirt cause much confusion; causing the audience to go back and forth in their minds and doubt Father Flynn. Law says that people are innocent until proven guilty although; realistically, everyone knows that people are guilty until proven innocent. It is very possible that Father Fynn is only helping Donald, because he is less fortunate than the other students at his school; and it is also very possible that he is hurting the child by molesting him. The decision is left to the audience as the jury.

When one’s unquestioned reputation is being attacked one often feels obligated to make a plan to cover up accused actions to save their reputation. When Sister Aloysius first accuses Father Flynn of having an inappropriate relationship with Donald Muller he responds, “Happened? Nothing happened. I had a talk with the boy.” (32). Finally, Father Flynn says he did have some interaction with Donald after denying it for a while, but he still clearly states nothing happened. Father Flynn ends the conversation by saying, “I don’t wish to continue this conversation at all further. And if

Through these arguments it is often thought of that Father Flynn is guilty. A reason as to why Father Flynn could be guilty is that he spends a lot of time with Donald Muller. For example, Father Flynn held a special meeting with Donald in the rectory and is often seen walking around the grounds with him as well. This is something that is noticed by many, especially Sister Aloysius. While Sister Aloysius is meeting with Father Flynn she states, “You yourself singled the boy out for special attention. You held a private meeting with him at the rectory” (Shanley 31). In this quote it is clear that Father Flynn has a relationship with Donald Muller that is more than just a mentor. While reading this one can understand that Father Flynn pays attention to Donald Muller to the point of even having a private meeting with him, which is suspicious. However, this position is flawed because Father Flynn is just looking out for Donald due to the fact that Donald sticks out like a sore thumb. Furthermore, Donald is bullied at school because he is different. Donald is bullied, beat on by his father, and the only person he really has there for him is Father Flynn. While meeting with Sister Aloysius, Mrs. Muller acknowledges Father Flynn’s behavior and states, “You know, Father Flynn, Father Flynn. He looks up to him. The man gives him his time, which is what that boy needs. He needs that”

By carrying out the method of doubt, we are able to free ourselves from all prejudices with the intention of being able to withdraw our mind from our senses. In doing so, we set a base for being able to decipher the truth from the falsity (Meditations, 39). The reasoning to doubt not only comes from the desire to learn the truth, but to “establish anything firm and lasting

The novel “Doubt; A Parable” by John Patrick Shanley, creates doubts and mystery in readers minds that have us turning the pages, curious of what will happen next. “Doubt” creates a lot of different opinions and perspectives, and raises a lot of important discussions. You see that values play a big part in the way that we think, and the way that we see others. It blocks our perspective on people, and makes things seem very one-sided, in order to live life to it’s fullest potential you need to not just look at your own beliefs but others as well. It creates doubt in readers’ minds whether or not Father Flynn is guilty by showing us different sides of characters and making us feel uncertain about our beliefs.

Throughout the book, people like Bob and Mayella Ewell use Tom Robinson as a scapegoat. Mayella Ewell claimed that Tom raped her, but the trial revealed that in fact, it was Mayella that advanced on Tom, and her father that beat her. At the trial, Mr. Link Deas rose from the audience and said: “‘I just want the whole lotta you to know one thing right now. That boy’s worked for me eight years an‘ I ain’t had a speck o’trouble outa him. Not a speck.’” It is worse enough that Tom is a scapegoat for all of Mayella's problems. But furthermore, as proved in the quote, Tom only wanted to help Mayella, and he would never hurt a soul. He did nothing but provide help for her pro-bono and even went as far as saying he “felt bad for her.” Tom Robinson had no aspirations to hurt Mayella and it was unfair that he was targeted for the

“When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable.”