Doubt, By John Patrick Shanley
The question of symbolism
Doubt is a drama written and directed by John Patrick Shanley. It is based on the Pulitzer Prize, and New York Drama Critics Awards wining play which argues the question of ambiguity and certainty. “Doubt requires more courage than conviction does, and more energy; because conviction is a resting place and doubt is infinite – it is a passionate exercise. “ The central question of the play becomes the moment of change, when all of our beliefs are taken into question, and the decision has to be made.
Each of the characters in the movie is connected with one of the virtue. Father Brendan Flynn, played by Phillip Seymour Hoffman, is shown as the progressive and charismatic Catholic priest. He wants to bring Church into …show more content…
the 21st century and advocates for progress and modern education. In contrast to him, Sister Aloysius (Meryl Streep) represents hierarchy, tradition and old order. She believes in a separation of adult and child and rigorous education. Her task is to protect old values and she uses fear as a means to achieve it. “Frosty the Snowman espouses a pagan belief in magic. (…) If the music were more somber, people would realize the images are disturbing and the song heretical.”
Between two extremes stands Sister James, an uncorrupted, idealistic Nun. Her character symbolizes idealistic approach to life that simplifies things and avoids conflicts “I wish I knew nothing whatever about it. I wish the idea has never entered my mind. “
Drama takes place in the autumn of 1964, during the Second Vatican Council, and a year after the assassination of the country’s first Catholic president. The world was going to through the change, and the reformation started. “We are living in a culture of extreme advocacy, of confrontation, of judgment, and of verdict. “ , on the place where the conversation has dropped to the level of wining the argument. It was the moment when doubt has found its way into the society.
Story conflict
The movie Doubt is dealing with widespread social and public issue of child sex abuse. It has become well studied disorder with numerous associations and help programs. Although, there are significant efforts to prevent molestation, cases of child’s sexual abuse are still present, and in most cases coming from the world’s biggest organization, the Church.
By publishing various cases and providing statistical records in their publications, the media have significantly influenced on the formation of public opinion. Society became aware of the increasing numbers of victims and started to sympathize with them. But the time when true compassion arose was when movies started to be filmed.
Since we are living in the digital era, our perception became visual, and we are thinking in pictures. If we are able to visual things, than we can understand them. Therefore, the film became one of the most important media information systems of 21st century.
With the movies The Boys of St. Vincent, Deliver us from evil, and Song for a Raggy Boy, society started to understand, to act, and to prevent. The cases of sexual abuses were approached to the public, and time of ignorance ended.
It is due to the directors and story tellers that we should thank to. They helped us to understand, to feel, and to sympathize.
While writing the play and directing the film, Shanley had the same idea. He wanted people to think, he wanted them to understand. It wasn’t just the narrative, it was his life. There was a child in his family molested by a priest. “The parents went first to the local level, then up the chain of command to a highly placed church official, who took them by the hands and said: 'I'm so sorry this happened to you. I will take care of it.' And then he promoted him. “
He wanted for people to become aware that this is happening, here and now. It is not to statistics or reports; it is about life that is being destroyed. Church is the organization that should protect, bring hope, and gather people against the injustice, not to create one. But now it is up to society to rise against their sins, it is on people to forgive.
While discussing these matters we can ask ourselves the question is Church destroying itself?
Moral dilemma
The scene with Donald’s mother, played by Viola Davis, is the emotional part of the Play that brings forward a moral dilemma question. It is based on the moment when we deprecate another person’s decision, with justification that our standpoint is liberal and righteous.
Therefore, we are able to distinguish rationality from emotions when the outcome is not connected to us. But when it comes to the matter of hearth, is it really on us to judge? Do we truly know that the tale they thought us, that ‘right way of thinking’, is the way out? When do we start to play this game of judge and a jury, is it became the part of our integration?
Society tells us the story about manners, rules and appropriate behavior. It teaches us how to live within the boundaries, and how to follow. To control the body is easier than to allow the mind to develop. We have become pawns without critical opinion engaged in a play we cannot control. We strive for independence while we don’t know how to be alone, we wish for freedom but we don’t know how to be free. Rules are giving us a feeling of safety and certainty; if you follow, you share responsibility. It is a dangerous task to think, what if you go wrong?
When it comes to the decision that will affect not only us, what is the right point of view. Are we allowed to take the risk or we should embrace the possible consequences as the way of life. “My son doesn’t need additional difficulties. Let him take the good and leave the rest when he leaves this place in June. He knows how to do that. I taught him how to do that.”
Her concern is focused on Donald’s education. She accepts the short-term suffering as long as it brings with it a chance for a brighter future.
Dealing with doubt
Father Flynn opens the Play holding a sermon about doubt.
After the assassination of the country’s first Catholic President, doubt was entering the lives of the American people. It was the time of uncertainty and anxiety, when questions about meaning were being made. “There are those of you in church today who know exactly the crisis of faith I describe. (…) Doubt can be a bond as powerful and sustaining as certainty. When you are lost, you are not alone.” The game of cause and effect is the part of human nature. When there is nothing we can hold on, when we are facing the unknown, then is the time when doubt …show more content…
starts.
It is the time when we search for answers and opt for the explanations suitable with our perspective.
Even though there are considerable options we can take into observation, in most cases we are embracing what is acceptable for us. We defend our standpoint regardless of what consequences there may be.
But what happens when others are faced with our suspicion. It was due to Father Flynn to confront the charges based on no evidence. How to fight against the unknown? Facts can be refuted, but how do you fight suspicion?
He opted for kindness thinking that compassion can be aroused, but soon he realized that there are occasions when only thing you can do is to let it go. “Even if you feel certainty, it is an emotion and not a fact. In the spirit of charity, I appeal to you. (…) I put myself in your hands.”
But, there was no explanation he could offer, no words he could tell to change what was already set up to be. She made her decision, and he was founded guilty.
When it comes to the hierarchy and
tradition…
We live under the assumptions that the modern era means new rules, and standards. But where is the limitation of this modernity when it comes to gender, sexual and racial equality? Can we talk about domination in past tense? Doubt discusses these questions as a background story. When it comes to authority and tradition, there are some boundaries we shall not cross. Whether it is the result of discipline and education, there are certain situations when we will accept subordinate position, and not trying to oppose it. The game of power is always present, and no matter how far we go, there is always someone who is above us.
Shanley is discussing this balance of power in the scene when Father Flynn enters Sister Aloysius office and goes behind the desk. “He’s sitting at her desk. She reacts but says nothing.”
Even though, protocol and tradition are the ground floor for all of her decisions, there are certain situations when she decides not to be restrained by them. This structural breakdown happened when she opted to step outside the lines, and confront her superior. Although it is hard to believe that during that time Nun would be able to provoke a Priest, and act on her own, Doubt is not discussing facts, but thoughts.
Although, it is hard to discuss whether her suspicion was right, or was the way she decided to deal with the ‘situation’ proper thing to do, her strong character and determination must be taken into account. When it comes to the moments in which we are not able to stand up for ourselves, it is valuable to have a person strong enough to take the risk for us.
While discussing these matters, we put ourselves in the position of actor, even though when there is time to act, it is evident that we just love to talk.
Can we stand for what we believe in?
Doubt is a drama written and directed by John Patrick Shanley. It is based on the Pulitzer Prize, and New York Drama Critics Awards wining play which argues the question of ambiguity and certainty. “Doubt requires more courage than conviction does, and more energy; because conviction is a resting place and doubt is infinite – it is a passionate exercise. “ The central question of the play becomes the moment of change, when all of our beliefs are taken into question, and the decision has to be made.
Each of the characters in the movie is connected with one of the virtue. Father Brendan Flynn, played by Phillip Seymour Hoffman, is shown as the progressive and charismatic Catholic priest. He wants to bring Church into …show more content…
the 21st century and advocates for progress and modern education. In contrast to him, Sister Aloysius (Meryl Streep) represents hierarchy, tradition and old order. She believes in a separation of adult and child and rigorous education. Her task is to protect old values and she uses fear as a means to achieve it. “Frosty the Snowman espouses a pagan belief in magic. (…) If the music were more somber, people would realize the images are disturbing and the song heretical.”
Between two extremes stands Sister James, an uncorrupted, idealistic Nun. Her character symbolizes idealistic approach to life that simplifies things and avoids conflicts “I wish I knew nothing whatever about it. I wish the idea has never entered my mind. “
Drama takes place in the autumn of 1964, during the Second Vatican Council, and a year after the assassination of the country’s first Catholic president. The world was going to through the change, and the reformation started. “We are living in a culture of extreme advocacy, of confrontation, of judgment, and of verdict. “ , on the place where the conversation has dropped to the level of wining the argument. It was the moment when doubt has found its way into the society.
Story conflict
The movie Doubt is dealing with widespread social and public issue of child sex abuse. It has become well studied disorder with numerous associations and help programs. Although, there are significant efforts to prevent molestation, cases of child’s sexual abuse are still present, and in most cases coming from the world’s biggest organization, the Church.
By publishing various cases and providing statistical records in their publications, the media have significantly influenced on the formation of public opinion. Society became aware of the increasing numbers of victims and started to sympathize with them. But the time when true compassion arose was when movies started to be filmed.
Since we are living in the digital era, our perception became visual, and we are thinking in pictures. If we are able to visual things, than we can understand them. Therefore, the film became one of the most important media information systems of 21st century.
With the movies The Boys of St. Vincent, Deliver us from evil, and Song for a Raggy Boy, society started to understand, to act, and to prevent. The cases of sexual abuses were approached to the public, and time of ignorance ended.
It is due to the directors and story tellers that we should thank to. They helped us to understand, to feel, and to sympathize.
While writing the play and directing the film, Shanley had the same idea. He wanted people to think, he wanted them to understand. It wasn’t just the narrative, it was his life. There was a child in his family molested by a priest. “The parents went first to the local level, then up the chain of command to a highly placed church official, who took them by the hands and said: 'I'm so sorry this happened to you. I will take care of it.' And then he promoted him. “
He wanted for people to become aware that this is happening, here and now. It is not to statistics or reports; it is about life that is being destroyed. Church is the organization that should protect, bring hope, and gather people against the injustice, not to create one. But now it is up to society to rise against their sins, it is on people to forgive.
While discussing these matters we can ask ourselves the question is Church destroying itself?
Moral dilemma
The scene with Donald’s mother, played by Viola Davis, is the emotional part of the Play that brings forward a moral dilemma question. It is based on the moment when we deprecate another person’s decision, with justification that our standpoint is liberal and righteous.
Therefore, we are able to distinguish rationality from emotions when the outcome is not connected to us. But when it comes to the matter of hearth, is it really on us to judge? Do we truly know that the tale they thought us, that ‘right way of thinking’, is the way out? When do we start to play this game of judge and a jury, is it became the part of our integration?
Society tells us the story about manners, rules and appropriate behavior. It teaches us how to live within the boundaries, and how to follow. To control the body is easier than to allow the mind to develop. We have become pawns without critical opinion engaged in a play we cannot control. We strive for independence while we don’t know how to be alone, we wish for freedom but we don’t know how to be free. Rules are giving us a feeling of safety and certainty; if you follow, you share responsibility. It is a dangerous task to think, what if you go wrong?
When it comes to the decision that will affect not only us, what is the right point of view. Are we allowed to take the risk or we should embrace the possible consequences as the way of life. “My son doesn’t need additional difficulties. Let him take the good and leave the rest when he leaves this place in June. He knows how to do that. I taught him how to do that.”
Her concern is focused on Donald’s education. She accepts the short-term suffering as long as it brings with it a chance for a brighter future.
Dealing with doubt
Father Flynn opens the Play holding a sermon about doubt.
After the assassination of the country’s first Catholic President, doubt was entering the lives of the American people. It was the time of uncertainty and anxiety, when questions about meaning were being made. “There are those of you in church today who know exactly the crisis of faith I describe. (…) Doubt can be a bond as powerful and sustaining as certainty. When you are lost, you are not alone.” The game of cause and effect is the part of human nature. When there is nothing we can hold on, when we are facing the unknown, then is the time when doubt …show more content…
starts.
It is the time when we search for answers and opt for the explanations suitable with our perspective.
Even though there are considerable options we can take into observation, in most cases we are embracing what is acceptable for us. We defend our standpoint regardless of what consequences there may be.
But what happens when others are faced with our suspicion. It was due to Father Flynn to confront the charges based on no evidence. How to fight against the unknown? Facts can be refuted, but how do you fight suspicion?
He opted for kindness thinking that compassion can be aroused, but soon he realized that there are occasions when only thing you can do is to let it go. “Even if you feel certainty, it is an emotion and not a fact. In the spirit of charity, I appeal to you. (…) I put myself in your hands.”
But, there was no explanation he could offer, no words he could tell to change what was already set up to be. She made her decision, and he was founded guilty.
When it comes to the hierarchy and
tradition…
We live under the assumptions that the modern era means new rules, and standards. But where is the limitation of this modernity when it comes to gender, sexual and racial equality? Can we talk about domination in past tense? Doubt discusses these questions as a background story. When it comes to authority and tradition, there are some boundaries we shall not cross. Whether it is the result of discipline and education, there are certain situations when we will accept subordinate position, and not trying to oppose it. The game of power is always present, and no matter how far we go, there is always someone who is above us.
Shanley is discussing this balance of power in the scene when Father Flynn enters Sister Aloysius office and goes behind the desk. “He’s sitting at her desk. She reacts but says nothing.”
Even though, protocol and tradition are the ground floor for all of her decisions, there are certain situations when she decides not to be restrained by them. This structural breakdown happened when she opted to step outside the lines, and confront her superior. Although it is hard to believe that during that time Nun would be able to provoke a Priest, and act on her own, Doubt is not discussing facts, but thoughts.
Although, it is hard to discuss whether her suspicion was right, or was the way she decided to deal with the ‘situation’ proper thing to do, her strong character and determination must be taken into account. When it comes to the moments in which we are not able to stand up for ourselves, it is valuable to have a person strong enough to take the risk for us.
While discussing these matters, we put ourselves in the position of actor, even though when there is time to act, it is evident that we just love to talk.
Can we stand for what we believe in?