Doubt John Patrick Shanley Essay

1193 Words3 Pages

As told by John Patrick Shanley in his play, Doubt: A Parable, doubt requires more courage than conviction does, and more energy; because conviction is a resting place and doubt is infinite (Stanley ix). Doubt: A Parable is about a priest named Father Flynn who is being shamed by Sister Aloysius for sexually assaulting a young boy, Donald Muller. Donald Muller is black and also gay. The play causes the reader to question whether or not Father Flynn is guilty. Based on the evidence in Patrick Shanley’s play, I conclude Father Flynn is innocent because Sister Aloysius is stubborn and lacking evidence, as well as the fact that Father Flynn is a good man and well-liked by the congregation. First, Father Flynn is innocent because Sister Aloysius …show more content…

He helps the schoolboys and looks out for them, including Donald. Flynn teaches the boys to play basketball and how to be a man. Sister Aloysius finds it suspicious that Flynn took only Donald out of class. She questions Flynn about talking to Donald alone in the rectory. Flynn’s reasoning is very credible: Donald Muller served as an altar boy last Tuesday morning. After Mass, Mr. McGinn caught him in the sacristy drinking altar wine. When I found out, I sent for him. There were tears. He begged not to be removed from the altar boys. And I took pity on him. I told him if no one else found out, I would let him stay on. (Shanley 33, …show more content…

Sister Aloysius has lots of power in this situation, and Flynn is afraid of the consequences. This position is flawed because Flynn simply does not want his reputation ruined. Once Sister Aloysius tells the Bishop and the public, she will be unable to take her words back. Since there are no actual facts whether or not Flynn is innocent or guilty, he would not be able to clear his name from the accusations. His name would always be associated with harming children. Flynn is pleading his innocence to Sister Aloysius one last time before it is too late, which is why he is trying to sound

Open Document