Role of Doubt as a Major Theme in a Drama by J.P. Shanley - Essay Example

Analysis of Doubt by John Patrick Shanley Doubt is a drama by John Patrick Shanley, this is story about a strict nun who has the belief that a priest at the church has done an act that is wrong to one of his learners, and this play takes place in the offices of a catholic school in New York. Doubt is one of the major themes in the drama story "doubt." Doubt as a theme This is a story that is devoted to the nuns that have dedicated their lives to the service of serving other people in places such as hospitals, churches, children, and care homes. These nuns are subjected to a lot of criticism despite their generous work. One of the main elements in the drama is how the uncertainty that is present even in places that are surrounded by religious individuals. The two key characters namely Father Flynn and Sister Aloysius stick to their opinions of the universe and refuse to see things like other people see them. This quality leads to both strengths and weakness and is a key reason for the final tragic end in the essay. On the other hand, the on-stage characters namely Sister James and Mrs. Muller are filled with doubt. However, they are able to see the story from both sides of the coin in this dilemma. Sister Aloysius is sure that sexual abuse activities take place at St. Nicholas; she believes that she is right despite the fact that she has no concrete evidence. At the conclusion of the play, she states that her evidence was from a small gesture whereby one student reacted in an affectionate way after being touched by Father Flynn. To Sister Aloysius, doubt is a two-way sided aspect; she gives Sr James lessons on the need of uncertainty. She entertains no sentiment, and this is because in her viewpoint, it is a cruel and unjust world, and she acts in a harsh manner to symbolize how she views the responsibility of her role at the religious office. In a similar manner, the justice of Sister Aloysius caution to Sr James, that innocence is equal to irresponsibility, while criticizing she denies the young teacher her happiness during the time at the holiday. The young teacher is tormented by Aloysiuss on purpose crushing of her optimistic world; she cannot exist with the doubt that keeps her wide awake at night, after some time she opts to believe in the priest, the priest has entirely innocent account for his actions. Father Flynn as an ambassador of the younger has clear doubts concerning his personal behaviors but on the other side he is self-righteously safe that the male ladder of the Church will come to his rescue from all the accusations from sister Aloysius. In the scenes at the beginning of the play, Father Flynn is speaking to his followers on the issue of handling his faith; it is evident that he is in doubt. He also portrays signs of doubt about himself at the basketball court whereby he coaches the boys, he provides guidelines on creating a routine on the basketball court, and he then gives them a lecture regarding their untidy fingernails (Shanley 55). The doubt is an allegorical drama that is written with the intention of illustrating the truth, spiritual ethics, and honorable teaching. Father Flynn reassures his followers that doubt makes people a part of a bigger society through the struggles undergone in the process of trying to make sense. Doubt blocks the truth that people struggle to see, this makes people change from who they are. Father Flynn further states that there is no need of taking tough positions, making hard decisions as salvation is complimentary and easy similar to how God is simple and free. On the other hand, Sister James, a brilliant and passionate teacher at the Sisters of Charity is having a conversation with the principal of the institution, Sister Aloysius. Sister James is an adorable and humble teacher and who is enthusiastic to her students. Just like God, she is loving, humble, forgives, and forgets easily. In the dialogue with sister Aloysius, Aloysius is seen as a judgmental, complicated and authoritative person who warns sister James not to allow students to use ballpoint pens for the mere reason that it tampers with their penmanship. She goes further to criticize the innocence of Sister James. In the words of Sister Aloysius, "Innocence is a form of laziness." Later on, Sister James mentions that Father Flynn may have had improper contact with Donald. This is similar to what sister Aloysius had been suspecting all along. One is left to wonder whether the report by Sister James was real, or it is because sister Aloysius stimulated her to think that way (Shanley 45). Maybe Sister James wanted to reduce the way sister Aloysius thought about her by making her suspicions right. The issue of catholic sex scandal in this book is another parable as it something that has been in existence for the last decades. Father Flynn may be innocent in this case as there is no concrete evidence to show that indeed he touched Donald in unsuitable sexual manner. However, this brings to the table the issue of catholic sex abuse that has been reported in most catholic churches among several Fathers. Since the play is about doubt, the outcomes of the innocence of the father or Sister Aloysius will not come into the light, the doubt will continue between the three people. The manner in which the sex abuse case was not solved is a reflection of the contemporary society whereby in catholic churches, lots of cases of sexual abuse cases have been reported, most of these cases have not been solved, no serious actions have been taken on the priests (Gerdes 45). The moral reason the doubt by john Shanley is on how to handle conflict, disbelief, and doubt. This is a similar story to the one in the Bible in the New Testament whereby Jesus used parables to give instructions to his followers. Sister Aloysius is in conflict with herself as she is not sure whether she is right or wrong about Father Flynns allegations (Shanley 34). Her strategy to learning and discipline is a strong difference with the values of Father Flynn. Due to the differences that exist between the two, nothing was solved at the end of the story. The play is just being used to display the religious lesson that Jesus Christ displayed by using parables to instruct his disciples, the main moral lesson is that there exist dangerous outcomes when a person is very certain about something. Therefore, the presence of doubt is also a better stand. Works Cited Gerdes, Louise I. Child Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press, 2003. Print. Shanley, John P. Doubt. S.l: Miramax, 2008. Print. Shanley, John P. Doubt: A Parable. New York: Theatre Communications Group, 2005. Print. Read More