Doubt: A Parable

“Doubt: A Parable” by John Patrick Shanley is a powerful drama set in a Catholic school in the Bronx in 1964. The play centers on Sister Aloysius, a stern principal who suspects the charismatic Father Flynn of having an inappropriate relationship with the school’s first Black student. Without concrete evidence, Sister Aloysius pursues her suspicions, enlisting the help of a young, naive nun and confronting the boy’s mother. The play explores themes of certainty, faith, and the nature of truth as characters grapple with their convictions and doubts. Shanley masterfully crafts a narrative that keeps the audience guessing, forcing them to confront their own biases and the consequences of acting on suspicion alone. “Doubt” challenges viewers to consider the complexities of morality and the power of uncertainty.