Analysis Of Doubt By John Patrick Shanley

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Innocent until proven guilty is a daily motto in our governing societies that can either deliver freedom or harsh punishment. While reading and watching doubt it seemed as though the thought of innocence never crossed sister A’s mind. The evidence that has been presented to sister A includes, meetings with Father Flynn, alcohol on his breath and many others. However in my opinion I see Father Flynn as righteous and just man and that is what I’m going to argue in this paper.

Early on in the book John Patrick Shanley provides us a hint at Father Flynn’s innocence with his peculiar nails. While teaching the boys how to play basketball in the rectory he stops after noticing some of the boys with dirty nails. Thus he begins to share the state …show more content…

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. One of the most likely reasons for these scenes is that Father Flynn feels for Donald because he is less fortunate than others. Consequently resulting in spending time with Donald and having chats with Donald. Father Flynn declares that “ I’m going to have to remove him from the alter boys now which is precisely what I was trying to avoid." ( Shanley 34). To me this represents the good nature of Father Flynn’s personality. He is simply looking out for Donald Muller and his future. Further on in the story Flynn tells Sister James “ There is no substance to any of this. The most innocent actions can seem guilty to a poisoned mind”( Shanley 40). I consider this quote to be another hint showing Father Flynn’s innocent evidence. Sister A is portrayed as a ruthless woman who runs the school with an iron fist. Compared to Father Flynn she is not well liked and considered mean. One could argue that jealousy led to the claim that tarnished Father Flynn’s name and reputation. What would be a better way to get rid of someone then create a sense of danger that surrounds

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