The Relationship between Father Flynn and Donald Muller - Essay Example

The play has utilized many symbols to represent certain elements that either constitute or supplement the core theme of the play. The title of the play itself is ideally framed to contain the key theme that the play intends to communicate. The subtitle ‘parable’ communicates to the audience that it has an inner symbolic message to convey. The whole play is cast in the background of Catholicism.  The play starts with Father Flynn delivering the holy sermon. The pulpit which is set on the stage ideally serves as a symbol of Catholicism, which is the foundation of the play. However, two very important identifiable symbols used in the play are the rigid and strict approach of Sister Aloysius and one another symbol is the unconventional behavior of Father Flynn as a priest.

Quite often in the play, Sister Aloysius is found arguing or stating a point strongly. In either case, she is found with her fists closed. This is a symbol to represent how closed the existing system was. It is notable throughout the play that Sister Aloysius is very dedicated towards the students. She is portrayed as a very strict principal who is very rigid on everything which happens in the school and with the students. Authoritativeness is her norm of teaching. She is a symbol of a system that works on set norms and does not divert from those. She also does not let others divert from them as well. This is one or other connects to the church system which works on set principles and rules.
Another identifiable symbol in the play is the unconventional behavior of Father Flynn as a priest. This remains as a symbol to criticize the rigidness of the church system which existed then. Father Flynn is quite friendly in his approach. He teaches Physical education in the school and encourages students to be innovative. His behavior is almost contrary to that of   Sister Aloysius. While Sister Aloysius wants the education system to be delivered in an authoritative way, which is not the point of view of Father Flynn. Thus Father Flynn himself and his approach has been successfully used in the play to symbolize a free approach that Catholicism must be having

Both the symbolism used to become very relevant in the cultural context of the era to which the play was originally done. Through the personal attributes of two different characters, a social system that used to exist was critiqued.