m

891 Words2 Pages

Doubt tells the story of Catholic nun/ school teacher bent on determining if the priest is having an indecent relationship with an african american altar boy.This story is a classic tale of scandal hidden within the catholic church, however the story focuses on the mystery of whether the priest has an indecent relationship with one of the students.
The script can be viewed as a type of Heroine's journey. The protagonist is sister Aloysius, the head nun and Principal of St. Nicholas’s school. She deviates from the typical heroine character archetype, she is attuned to her animus. She diverges from the feminine qualities of sensitivity,emotional and weak. Sister Aloysius is hard,with a cold demeanor, and a stickler for following the rules. Through the dialogue Sister Aloysius appears to be pessimistic about society. She tells Sister James “This parish serves Irish and Italian families. Someone will hit Donald Miller” (31). She understands the way society views race, the children’s view on race is a reflection of their parents.She assumes the worst in a situation, as this results to her assuming Father Flynn is having an indecent relationship with one of the students.
Being a nun she is dependent on her faith in God. In order for Sister Aloysius to prove Father Flynn deceit she has to “take a step to address wrongdoing, you are taking a step away from God, but in His service.” (32). This explains the lengths she is willing to go. This is also the moment Sister Aloysius accepts her call to adventure.
Along the way she has to overcome several trials. She has no witnesses, or evidence, but she has her certainty. Sister Aloysius’s biggest trial is proof. She has to break the rules of the parish by questioning Father Flynn about his ...

... middle of paper ...

...indow(36). The branch scratching her window can be viewed as her fears scratching at her soul. The concern Sister James has for Father Flynn and Donald worries her heart.
Visually the film captures the bleak tone of the script. The coloring in the scenes are dark and blue with the characters wearing dark clothing. This demonstrates the serious nature of the subject matter, while also setting the tone. The performances in the film helps to create tension.
Sister Aloysius's journey brings her out of the simplicity of her life. Throughout the journey it questions her faith. She defaults from her morals risking everything to bring Father Flynn's secret to light. In the end she succeeds in having Father Flynn leave the parish. However, he is promoted to a higher level in the church. In true nature to the name of the film all Sister Aloysius is left with is her doubts.

Show More
Related

  • The Film "O brother, where art thou?"

    1035 Words  | 3 Pages

    This film captures this class distinction without subduing the atmosphere through the use of a variety of cinematic devices. “A good film is not a bag of cinematic devices but the embodiment, through devices, of a vision, an underlying theme” (Barnett, 274). The audience can see this theme of the realities of the oppression, poverty and despair of this time period through the use of the things mentioned, but also through the character development that is driven by the character’s hopelessness. Each of the characters associated with the lower class is motivated by the conditions, which are viewed through the cinematic devices mentioned above: color, spherical lenses, long shots, and high angle shots. Sources Cited:.

    Read More

  • Character Bravery and Courage: In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez

    1046 Words  | 3 Pages

    Within the novel, “In the Time of the Butterflies,” Mate, Minerva, Dede, and Patria had to create decisions to overcome obstacles that would transform each of their lives. Throughout the book, all of the sisters changed somehow. They all grew up, matured, and saw things how they never viewed before. While looking at these things at a different perception, they learned to make decisions that were sometimes brave and sometimes cowardly. Each of the Mirabal sisters had to choose whether or not to be fearful and give up, or be courageous and stand her ground, or make sacrifices to show her strength throughout the novel.

    Read More

  • Frances as the Devil's Advocate in "Fall On Your Knees" by Ann-Marie MacDonald

    1486 Words  | 3 Pages

    Frances Piper’s change in nature can be seen the day of Materia’s, her mother, funeral. She cannot control the laughter that escapes her while the funeral proceeding is happening. However she is amazed when James and Mercedes, her sister, think that she is crying. In that moment of her life, Frances learns something “. . . that will allow her to survive and function for the rest of her life. She finds out that one thing can look like another . . . Some would simply say Frances learned how to lie” (142)...

    Read More

  • False Accusations in Doubt by John Patrick Shanley

    687 Words  | 2 Pages

    ... If anyone is being accused of molesting a child, the reputation that they’ve got will be ruined forever. There’s no going back, she leaves him with nothing, other than a dirty slate, whether or not he is guilty. This nun gets her way, and her certainty drove her to believe something that was never proved to be true. Her authority and the wall she’s created between herself and everyone else makes her credible. His compassion was mistaken for something that he didn’t do. She had the upper hand, with her manipulation skills. The Sisters are her puppets as she remained in control of her parish. Father Flynn’s leave does affect Sister Aloysius, her certainty vanishes but the only thing that somewhat puts her at ease, is that she wants to believe that his leave, was his confession. Sister Aloysius has doubts that crush her in the ending scene. She caused her own demise

    Read More

  • Logical Fallacies In One Of Us

    700 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout the film, the filmmaker follows the three victims around in their everyday lives by using somber music and backgrounds of depressing colors. The documentary starts off with colorful images of the scenery

    Read More

  • Doubt: Comparing the Play and Movie

    1022 Words  | 3 Pages

    Another scene I believe is important that is missing from the play is the scene where sister James sees Father Flynn putting the white t-shirt back in the locker which is pivotal to the whole premise of the story, without Sister James seeing that she would have never brought it up to Sister Alyosius and we would been left to question Sister Alysosius’s accusations even more.

    Read More

  • Abuse of Power in Doubt, by John Patrick Shanley

    1166 Words  | 3 Pages

    A reputation can be so well established that if one person in power does a wrongdoing people will not believe it. For example when Mrs. Muller says, “Let me ask you something. You honestly think that priest gave Donald that wine to drink?” (47). Donald’s mother is questioning sister Aloysius because she does not believe Father Flynn would do something like that. He has a reputation of being a great priest and his reputation is better than Sister Aloysius’. Mrs. Muller states, “You’re not going against no man in a robe and win, Sister. He’s got the position.” (47). Just by Father Flynn being a male he has a higher reputation than a nun, which he knows and can accumulate for his actions. In the hierarchy of the Church, the head male priest is the most dominant. Therefore, nobody questions what he is doing; he has a reputation of being this influential priest who gives great sermons. He knows that he has the power to do what he wants and has his fellow Monsignor and other men in the ...

    Read More

  • Question and Analysis of Doris Day´s Autobiography

    1195 Words  | 3 Pages

    When the child was born, Dorothy decided to baptize her child and that meant that she had to be baptized as well. Dorothy did not have any catholic experience and Sister Aloysia kept ...

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Doubt: A Parable By John Patrick Shanley

    344 Words  | 1 Pages

    The play, Doubt: A Parable written by John Patrick Shanley, is based purely on uncertainty. Throughout the whole play, all I felt was uncertainty and I have still not come to a firm conclusion about what Father Flynn has done. There are many pieces of evidence proving his guilt and proving his innocence. I did enjoy reading the play and I think my favorite part about it is that I will never fully know what happened and who was right. I like being able to create my own ending to a book because you get to use your imagination. Today during the debate I started out as defending Father Flynn’s innocence. I do stand by what I was defending because there is no certain evidence against him that can prove him guilty; it is all based on assumption.

    Read More

  • John Patrick Shanley's Doubt

    2373 Words  | 5 Pages

    ...der further than what we have in front of us. We want to impose our opinion on everything. We want to relate to it in a way that can only be done through out imagination. So, due to this, when we are not given the flexibility, then the context no longer becomes entertaining. The viewers do not want to be told how to think. Given these points, if they are influenced to believe that Sister Aloysius is a cruel individual like the movie portrays, then at the end of the movie and book when Sister Aloysius says, “ I have doubts! I have such doubts!” they will take that as a confession from her, and be further lead to believe that the accusations against Father Flynn are false. I think John Patrick Shanley chooses specific diction to create a conflict that has no precise resolution,he wanted the reader get lost in story and enter into their own story manifested within.

    Read More

  • M Butterfly

    356 Words  | 1 Pages

    all, Song has deceived a somewhat intelligent individual for over twenty years. I saying , Song :"Rule One is " Men always believe what they want to hear." ( 82 ) I don't think that is entirely accurate,but Song has proven it to be throughout the play in dealing with Gallimard. So basically in that area Song's "rule" applies. Gillimard wanted to believe his "love" was indeed a young , Oriental woman. He refused to acknowlege otherwise because that was his " fantasy". However, I must disagree when "Rule One" also states, Song: " So a girl can tell the most obnoxious lies and the guys will believe them every time--" (82 ) Again, as far as Song's relationship with Gillimard is concerned, it is again truthful. However, I think that would be an extreme exaggeration in speaking of "men" in general, even in terms of "men" in this play. I don't think Song could have fooled Marc for very long. I think perhaps we see some of Hwang's own experiences in his life poking through into the play.

    Read More

  • Touch Of Evil

    1285 Words  | 3 Pages

    The film stays in line with classic noir in many ways. The usage of dark sets and high contrast lighting, which creates heavy shadows on the actors faces, makes the movie feel like it all happens at night and in dark alley ways. The story focuses on the inhumane parts of human nature. Each of the main characters experiences some kind of tragedy. For Vargas his tragedy was in dealing with Quinlin who has set out to frame him and his wife. For Quinlin his entire life represented a man consumed with darkness who lives his life with a “Touch of Evil.” Menzies was a hopeful man who looked up to Quinlin but was let down. For the viewer, film noir represents truth, even if it is not a truth that all people would like to hear.

    Read More

  • Film Analysis Of Wes Anderson's 'Moonrise Kingdom'

    1406 Words  | 3 Pages

    It is impossible to talk about a Wes Anderson movie without acknowledging its stunning color palettes and quirky storytelling style. In one of his most exemplary works, Moonrise Kingdom, Anderson uses a warm color scheme that blends bright and desaturated colors that ranges from golden yellow, vermillion red, creamy beige, light brown, to even a hint of teal. His color scheme, which is reflected throughout the film’s props, sets, costumes, title design, and camera filters, effectively evokes nostalgia, establishes the summer-like, dreamy mood of the film, and creates a distinct contrast between the different moral values of his characters. However, in the chaotic stormy escape scene and in the costume of Social Services, the visual design deviates greatly from the film’s primarily warm color palette and instead, immerse their visual elements in a deep, dark blue color to show the contrasts in the mood of the story as well as the attitudes of the characters. Overall, Anderson’s visual

    Read More

  • The Lives of Others

    1482 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...successful collaboration of sound, colour, camera positioning and lighting are instrumental in portraying these themes. The techniques used heighten the suspense, drama and mood of each scene and enhance the film in order to convey to the spectator the intended messages.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Doubt And Doubt

    707 Words  | 2 Pages

    Father Flynn tells Sister Aloysius, “Even if you feel certainty, it is an emotion and not a fact.” I think he means that without concrete evidence, you cannot rely on your emotions for the truth. In Father Flynn’s sermon he discusses doubt and truth. He says, “Doubt can be a bond as powerful and sustaining as certainty.” Sister Aloysius treats her doubt as the truth, and ignores any uncertainty she has. Throughout the story, Father Flynn denies and wrong doing and cites that there is no evidence of any misconduct. Doubt becomes battle with two viewpoints. When questions are asked, they are answered with more questions, leading to more

    Read More

More about m

Open Document