Doubt: A Parable By John Patrick Shanley

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Recommended: Gender roles religious studies

In Doubt: a Parable, John Patrick Shanley sheds light on the subject of gender inequality. In the play, Sister Aloysius holds a position of power as the principal of St. Nicholas School, but within the church structure, that power is relinquished to the men based on the structure that the church dictates. Men hold higher power where women have submissive roles. The settings of the different scenes, particularly the rectory, become part of Shanley’s critique of gender roles within the context of the Church’s hierarchy. Sister Aloysius has much doubt and is suspicious about Father Flynn and his relationship with Donald Muller. She is driven to go beyond the limitations the church holds upon her in order to prove Father Flynn’s actions are criminal. …show more content…

He has a certain air about him where he feels superior to all the nuns and uses his being a “man” to override Sister Aloysius’ suspicions against him. Shanley uses many details to convey this message especially in small details. In scene V, in Sister Aloysius’ first meeting with Father Flynn, he usurps her in her own office by sitting at her desk, as he enters the office (27). This action taken by Father F. was an absolute show of authority; he reminds Sister Aloysius that she answers to him and even in her own space, must relinquish any symbol of power to her superiors. This shows how Father Flynn uses his position of authority in an abusive way. Another scene where gender conflict arises is in which Father Flynn wields his power suggesting a “leave of absence” towards Sister Aloysius after being questioned about his “talk” with Donald Muller (33). It is clear that Father Flynn is outraged and his natural defense is to hold his power in a threat towards the sisters. As Sister Aloysius doubts Father Flynn, she sees him as personifying these doubts and believes that only by eliminating him can she regain her religious conviction, staking her entire way of life on her

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