StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Moral Sequence of Sister Aloysius in Shanley's Doubt - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
The paper "Moral Sequence of Sister Aloysius in Shanley's Doubt" tells despite being a very sincere and devoted servant of God, Sister Aloysius finds herself in a very compromising situation turning into a doubting and lie. She was unwillingly introduced to Machiavellian relativism…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER94% of users find it useful
Moral Sequence of Sister Aloysius in Shanleys Doubt
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Moral Sequence of Sister Aloysius in Shanley's Doubt"

Issues about Which Sister Aloysius Could Have Doubts, Going From the Least Important To the Most Important The moral sequence in Sister Aloysius who is the main character in the play, Doubt, is clearly elaborated in the last line of the play which also happens to be the best line that the play has. As a matter of fact, it is at this point of the play that a complete reversal of roles that the Catholic nun who I sat the same time very old school reveals to the viewers through Sister James that she then realizes that she has “doubts”. This is despite the fact that Sister Aloysius has been presented all through the play as a hard line absolutist. It is very shocking that Sister Aloysius could have the potential of turning into a doubting Thomas given the dogmatic image of one who never had any doubt in her life (Shanley 22). In an effort to make this issue sink even further, it is revealed that Sister Aloysius told a lie. This is against the fact that it is a very strong Catholic dogma that no any lie of any sort ought to be encouraged leave alone being told (Waldmeir 34). This very rigid law is held even in circumstances where the lie could be the solitary tool in defeating the devil. Despite being a very sincere and devoted servant of God, Sister Aloysius finds herself in a very compromising situation. She is unwillingly introduced to the Machiavellian relativism. Sister Aloysius goes further to encapsulate humanity’s doubt in its last century. It is at this very point that Sister Aloysius openly abandons absolutism (Books Llc 43). The very step that Sister Aloysius takes in abandoning absolutism violates greatly the vow that she had personally taken in an effort to affirm her obedience to the church which was aimed at catching the pedophile (Waldmeir 79). As the play progresses, it comes to the realization that Sister Aloysius is very important when the hierarchy fails to work. At this point in time, Sister Aloysius transforms into the prosecutor, the jury and even the judge. This step marks the beginning of Sister Aloysius to fall in the slippery tracks already built by the principle of moral relativism. This rings a question to the mind of the reader as to whether it is really possible for anyone to offer any defense or support to moral absolutes if at all Sister Aloysius cannot do it. It therefore possesses yet another doubt on how truly the aspect of evil could be effectively stopped (Shengold 51). A heavy doubt lingers on whether there can be any staged war against the issue of evil if at all the absolutes being in place. Faith has now escaped and the only thing that is present is doubt which is being portrayed as having captured every individual. As the play progresses, it is notable that boundaries are being set for the rapid spread of doubt. This can be seen in the case that involves Aloysius the pedophile. It is very clear that Sister Aloysius is borrowing heavily from intuition in handling these particular cases (Bryer 61). The evidence that is presented by Aloysius proves to be more flimsy as compared to the evidence that comes from WMDs who are located in Iraq. In this particular case, Sister Aloysius is vey much in doubt about the case since the audience is further informed that if at all she could have been successful in accessing the right results then only luck could be the propelling force (Books Llc 82). The doubt that Sister Aloysius has is in regard to the spiritual issue. This is brought out clearly in the book. It is in regard to this that Sister Aloysius argues that if at all by any chance the society is filled with evil doers as he presumes, then she could put in contribution to the evil activities and move away further from God. Despite the fact that history was filled with evil doers who were acting from fierce conviction such as suicide bombers, witch hunters, Mullahs and the Inquisitors these people act form the conviction that they are protecting children (Shanley 19). As a matter of fact, it is in reference to these very sentiments that Sister Aloysius expresses her doubt once again by revealing the fact that for an individual to clearly and effectively offer service to God one has to take a step away from the Lord Himself. It is as a consequence of this doubt in her religious mind that Sister Aloysius at times is prone to acting even before she is aware that evil has been done. This can be seen in the pre emptive Jihad that Sister Aloysius launches (Books Llc 37). This launching is based on mere suspicions and as it is portrayed, the Jihads are more often than not indicated as being wrong on the long run or later on. In such cases that are brought about by the mere fact that doubt is an aspect that is existent among the characters and in particular Sister Aloysius, moral authority is taken away form the various heads that are accorded the power (Shanley 13). It is in the absence of these moral authorities that people go ahead to take action into their own hands. It is due to this fact that the principle of University is introduced in the play. This is in an effort to curb the effects of doubt that are being developed in Sister Aloysius who in this case is the leader in the institution. According to the principle, Sister Aloysius is heavily failing due to the basic fact that there exists no difference at all in trying to use a lie to stop evil or even using a lie to forge head to war. The leaders of moral standards such as Sister Aloysius ought to create this steel that is required from a leader yet she is falling victim of her own leadership weaknesses (Shanley 15). On the other hand, victors such as Sister Aloysius are not expected to return as humble even after the moral standards that are presented in the law. As is portrayed in the play, the lack of holding evil accountability by priests has led to Sister Aloysius launching her solo campaign as a woman. As a mater of fact, doubt continues in the life of Sister Aloysius throughout the entire play. At this point, it is presented in the form of lies that Sister Aloysius has involved directly with so as to buy her way out of the tight situation. She uses the fact that the best secret of hell is the fact that human beings do create hell for themselves (Shanley 18). Sister Aloysius is putting in to use lies so as to create doubt in the minds of people and as is clearly elaborated in the play, this is a wrong act as it results to greatly new minds in the audience. Finally, Sister Aloysius is in complete doubt over her own individual self. She no longer lives in the world of strict precision that she is in as the play is introduced. As the play unfolds in the beginning parts, it is clear that Sister Aloysius is living in a world of high secrecy levels and despair that they were born to set things right. In a sudden twist of events, Sister Aloysius is finding herself in a world where she is asking herself the question “to be or not to be” (Shanley 31). She admits that this is not a very healthy state for anyone to be in and is in great suffering after loosing the precision that she once had in life. Sister Aloysius therefore ends the play as a character that is full of despair and doubt over the events that have occurred in her life. Doubt can be said to be the focal point shaping different events of the life led by Sister Aloysius (Books Llc 67). As it is clearly elaborated, the doubts that Sister Aloysius is boldly highlighted in the play as being the doubt that he has over himself. As a matter of fact, it is this doubt that is used to end the book at a climax point, qualifying it more for the most important aspect of the doubts that Sister Aloysius had. Work Cited Books Llc. Plays by John Patrick Shanley. Washington: General Books LLC, 2010 Bryer, Jackson. The Facts on File Companion to American Drama. Chicago: Infobase Publishing, 2010 Jenkins, Jeffrey. The best plays theater yearbook. Boston: Limelight Editions, 2007 Shanley, John. Doubt: a parable. London: Theatre Communications Group, 2005 Shengold, Jennifer. River of Words. Illinois: SUNY Press, 2010 Waldmeir, John. Cathedrals of bone. California: Fordham Univ Press, 2009 Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Describe all the issues about which Sister Aloysius could have doubts Essay”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/environmental-studies/1421292-describe-all-the-issues-about-which-sister
(Describe All the Issues about Which Sister Aloysius Could Have Doubts Essay)
https://studentshare.org/environmental-studies/1421292-describe-all-the-issues-about-which-sister.
“Describe All the Issues about Which Sister Aloysius Could Have Doubts Essay”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/environmental-studies/1421292-describe-all-the-issues-about-which-sister.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Moral Sequence of Sister Aloysius in Shanley's Doubt

Doubt play vs. movie

sister aloysius is the head nun and principal of a catholic school called St.... Therefore when sister aloysius commands everyone to keep their eyes open for unusual behavior, she is the first one to suspect Father Flynn.... Sister James confides her suspicion to sister aloysius, who later confronts Father Flynn.... However, sister aloysius is still unsatisfied and decides to talk to Donald Muller's mother.... Muller seems completely ambivalent and asks sister aloysius not to pursue the matter any further....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

William Faulkners Barn Burning

Another powerful work of literature is John Patrick Shanley's play doubt.... This essay compares and contrasts both William Faulkner Barn Burning and John Patrick Stanley's doubt through an exploration of the ways that authors use style, symbolism, theme, and the cursory elements of characterization, setting and irony in developing these works of exemplary literary merit.... In doubt John Patrick Stanley develops a number of stylistic elements....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

A Comparative Analysis of Selected Works by Faulkner, Hewingway and Shanley

The works I have selected for this paper include two short stories and one play: William Faulkner's ‘A Rose for Emily' (1930), Earnest Hemingway's ‘Soldier's Home' (1925) and John shanley's doubt (1964).... The works I have selected for this paper include two short stories and one play: William Faulkner's ‘A Rose for Emily' (1930), Earnest Hemingway's ‘Soldier's Home' (1925) and John shanley's doubt (1964).... Finally John Shanley's play, doubt deals with the fraught relationship between an austere disciplinarian nun, Sister Alonysius and the younger and more easy-going Father Flynn....
7 Pages (1750 words) Essay

Analysis of the Film

In the film, Meryl Streep plays the role of sister aloysius Beauvier, Philip Seymour Hoffman plays the role of Father Brendan Flynn, Amy Adams plays the role of Sister James, and Viola Davis was seen as performing the role of Mrs Miller whereas Joseph Foster plays the role of Donald Miller.... But most critically and commercially acclaimed was the performance of Meryl Streep as sister aloysius Beauvier and for this performance, she received a twelfth nomination at the Academy Awards for the best actress and which she ultimately bagged....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

The Discussion of Doubt in John P. Shanley's play Doubt: A Parable

sister aloysius acts on her doubts about Father Flynn by choosing to make assumptions that are against his activities.... The young nun, Sister James, can be seen as a bridge between truth and rumor, her doubts never fully developed either against Father Flynn or sister aloysius.... Client's Name Class Date The Discussion of doubt in John P.... Shanley's play doubt: A Parable John P.... Stanley titled his play doubt: A Parable with the theme that he was choosing to explore....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Critically Peruse the named Sister Aloysius

The essay "Critically Peruse the named sister aloysius" states that it's an earthly story with a heavenly meaning, as well reflected in the play doubt.... sister aloysius was the Principal of Bronx School and she used to take matters and problems relating to the students as her own.... This paper will critically peruse the named sister aloysius and Father Flynn regarding fingernails.... sister aloysius was again in doubt as to how the father escaped these issue giving doubts to the two sisters wondering how Father Flynn could have managed it....
1 Pages (250 words) Essay

Role of Doubt as a Major Theme in a Drama by J.P. Shanley

n a similar manner, the justice of sister aloysius caution to Sr James, that innocence is equal to irresponsibility, while criticizing she denies the young teacher her happiness during the time at the holiday.... The two key characters namely Father Flynn and sister aloysius stick to their opinions of the universe and refuse to see things like other people see them.... sister aloysius is sure that sexual abuse activities take place at St.... To sister aloysius, doubt is a two-way sided aspect; she gives Sr James lessons on the need of uncertainty....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Shanleys Doubt By

In the essay 'shanley's doubt By' the author analyzes the short story about Sister Aloysius' doubt.... Based on her interaction with people, sister aloysius reveals to be a distrustful person especially to men and that is why she thinks that Father Flynn is guilty of a pedophile.... Despite all the barriers preventing sister aloysius from finding the answers she is seeking, she still pushes the argument of Father Flynn too far as she is torn between her personal emotions and her role as a school principal....
2 Pages (500 words) Book Report/Review
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us