Sister James Doubt

Sister James, a nun in her twenties, consistently deals with multiple problems in the play Doubt: A Parable by John Shanley. She is at the heart of the focal conflict in the play, but deals with personal conflicts. She is extremely impressionable and makes the audience aware of her uncertainty throughout the play, rather than full heartedly agreeing with Sister Aloysius or Father Flynn. With doubt being the absence of certainty, but still as powerful as faith, Sister James accurately represents the central theme. Therefore, the character of Sister James highlights the play’s main theme of doubt by her inner struggle. After reporting her suspicion and bringing up that there was “There was alcohol on [Donald Muller’s] breath” to Sister Aloysius,
Instead of an outright confession like Sister Aloysius and Sister James were hoping for, Father Flynn had an alibi. Father Flynn said the reason Donald Muller had alcohol on his breath was that he had been caught drinking wine, but instead of taking him off the altar boys, he just had a stern talking to him. In a way to erupt guilt within the two women, he says that since the secret is out he can no longer be an altar boy. It works for Sister James. Turning on her superior, Sister James yells at Sister Aloysius that her doubt of his integrity is her simply not liking him for not being as tight knit as
Her personality plays a large part in how the overall dilemma is looked at. Other character’s decisions are made on how she relates to their struggles and opinions. Although she is sweet, she has certain pet peeves hidden in her character that make her tick, such as having doubts in Sister Aloysius’ assumptions after talking with Father Flynn and Father Flynn states that she occasionally just acts to please her superior. These components of her personality lead her to inwardly come to a decision throughout the story. The lack of evidence on both sides leads Sister James to her own suspicions. However, with her heart of gold she picks the side that is outwardly kind, much like herself. She never fully states that she agrees with Sister Aloysius, but does make it a point to tell her thoughts on the matter. In a way, Sister James grows throughout the story to draw her own deductions despite being told what to do by Sister Aloysius, which is possibly what pushes Sister James from agreeing with her. Her too trusting heart could also have lead Father Flynn to playing her heartstrings like a violin for his