Concepts on Dubt

One of the most significant aspects that Shanley highlights in his play is the word of his title ‘Doubt’. The concept of Doubt is portrayed by Sister Aloysius, the principal of St. Nicholas School. She has uncertainty towards Father Flynn and whether he has had a sexual relationship with Donald Muller or the fact that he has taken advantage of him. One of the main techniques Shanley composes is Foreshadowing and Symbolism. Father Flynn gives a short sermon at the start of the play about the nature of doubt. He mentioned “How much worse is it for an alone man and women stricken by a private calamity”. It foreshadows the audience on the introduction of what Father Flynn will have to deal with later on
Through the use of Symbolism is the ”Ballpoint Pen” situation. It present the idea of how Sister Aloysius disciplines Sister James of not letting students to use ballpoint pen in classroom instead of using the more traditional “fountain pens”. This states the presence of modernisation as time progresses of the Vatican I. It also symbolises the age differences between Sister Aloysius and Sister James from a more traditional to a modern person.
Shanley play Doubt a Parable also present the ideal concept of Isolation in which is portrayed by Sister James as well as Donald Muller (First Negro Student in the School) and Father Flynn . In the play Sister James is fairly innocent as she is unexperienced and new to the school. Sister James is isolated by the disciplines and hardships of Sister Aloysius. Aloysius questions James on her teaching abilities and her alertness in class. This had made Sister James doubting herself as she states that she feels she doesn’t fit in place alongside the other Sisters, “I feel as if I’ve lost my way a little”. Donald Muller is portrayed as a concept of isolation as he is the only Negro student as being the only black student in the school he is considered as being different among others, Father Flynn presents the idea of isolation to the