Sister Aloysius In John Patrick Shanley's Doubt

Have you ever felt doubt in your life? In John Patrick Shanley’s play, Doubt, he says “It is Doubt that changes thing.” His play is about a strict nun, Sister Aloysius, who believes that a priest, Father Flynn, has done something terribly inappropriate to one of the students. Shanley set his play in a Catholic school in the Bronx. Sister Aloysius is the principal of the school, overseeing many teachers, including young Sister James. Sister Aloysius has doubts about Father Flynn, a priest who coaches basketball and tends to the spiritual needs of the children and their families. Aloysius believes Father Flynn is a little too friendly with Donald Muller, the school’s only black student. However, one’s question is never answered due to the

Father Flynn is now uncomfortable; he claims its Sister Aloysius’s tone. “Well. I feel a little uncomfortable. [Sister Aloysius asks why] Why do you think? Something about your tone”(32). However, Sister Aloysius hits back with “This is not about my tone or your tone, Father Flynn. It’s about arriving at the truth” (32). It is reasonable for Father Flynn to claim his business is none that concerns Sister Aloysius however this is clearly her business. It’s her school! “Perhaps you [Father Flynn] are mistaken in your understanding of what concerns me. The boy is in my school and his well being is my responsibility”(32). If Father Flynn has nothing to hide then why keep avoiding the subject and even say “I don’t wish to continue this conversation at all further”(33) when Sister Aloysius simply asked to know what happened in the rectory? As he is about to step out of the office, Sister Aloysius tells him about the alcohol in Donald’s breath. Flynn reluctantly claims Mr. McGinn caught him drinking the altar wine and since Donald begged to stay in the altar boys he took pity on him. The ever so innocent Sister James is relieved with this story and believes Father Flynn. Of course Sister Aloysius is not satisfied even though she tells Father Flynn she is. She tells Sister James, “These types of people are clever. They’re not so easily undone” (35). While Sister James insists she’s convinced and wants no part in this anymore, Sister Aloysius tells her “You’re not [convinced]. You just want things to be resolved so you can have simplicity back. . . I’ll bring him down. With or without your help”