Guilty Until Proven Innocent (Doubt: A Parable, by Patrick Shanley Essay Example)

“We each begin in innocence. We all become guilty” (Peltier 16). The idea of being guilty or innocent caused many conflicts in the play Doubt: A Parable, by Patrick Shanley. This play takes place in a Christian private school, where rules must be followed. Sister Aloysius, the principal of the school, is trying to prove that Father Flynn is guilty of  having an inappropriate interaction with a student. Sister Aloysius displays feelings of doubt and uncertainty in this serious matter, which leaves her with the decision to decide if  Father Flynn is innocent or guilty. While some may argue that the contrary, based on the evidence in John Patrick Shanley’s play, Doubt: A Parable, I conclude that Father Flynn is guilty. 

The play conveys numerous pieces of evidence that help prove that Father Flynn is guilty. The first piece of evidence is that Father Flynn won’t answer any of Sister Aloysius’s questions or have a third party in the room. Father Flynn is called into Sister Aloysius’s office to talk about a serious concern about whether he had an inappropriate interaction with another student, Donald Muller: “I don’t wish to continue this conversation any further… No, Sister. No third party” (Shanley 33, 50). Father Flynn doesn’t want to continue the conversation because he is hiding something and doesn’t want to address the issue. Father Flynn also doesn’t want a third party in the room because he doesn’t want Sister Aloysius’s suspicion to spread throughout the school. Later, Father Flynn says a statement that proves he has done something wrong: “Whatever I have done, I have left in the healing hands of my confessor” (Shanley’s 54). Father Fylnn says he had done something wrong which shows his “confession” without him confessing. Another Piece of evidence is that Father Flynn chose to leave the school. While Father Flynn was conversing with Sister Aloysius, she tells him that she has reached out to his previous schools and learned about his background: “I took the precaution of calling the last parish you were assigned to” (Shanley 53). Sister Aloysius tells Father Flynn that she knows of his history and that he must leave the school. With Sister Aloysius knowing about Father Flynn’s past, he feels threatened and decides to leave. This shows that Father Flynn has a suspicious background that the school is now aware of.  Sister Aloysius also tells Sister James that she lies to father Fly to try to get rid of him: “Yes. But if he had no such history, the lie wouldn’t have worked. His resignation was his confession” (Shanley 58). Sister Aloysius states that if Father Flynn was innocent, he would stay with the school and feel safe, but instead, he leaves because he feels threatened and he knows what he did was wrong. It is easy to assume the worst, but there is also evidence to display Father Flynn’s innocence. 

The play has multiple pieces of evidence to prove that Father Flynn is innocent. One piece of evidence is that Father Flynn repeatedly told Sister Aloysius that nothing happens between him and the boy. Donald Muller is a new student in the school that Father Flynn takes interest in. Father Flynn wants to be a friend to Donald and make him feel like everyone treats him the same as the other students. When Sister Aloysius finds out Father Flynn and Donald were in the rectory together she immediately questions the father. Father Flynn tells Sister Aloysius that nothing happens: “Happened? Nothing happened. I had a talk with a boy” (Shanley 32). Father Flynn was simply having a conversation with Donald because he cares about his well-being and wants him to feel included. Every time Sister Aloysius asks Father Flynn what happens, his answer is always the same, that nothing happens. If Father Flynn was guilty his stories wouldn't match up, but since he is telling the truth, the responses are the same  However, Father Flynn was hesitant to tell Sister Aloysius about the conversation with Donald. When Sister Aloysius asks what happens, Father Flynn answers quickly and seems nervous: “Did he say something… It was a private matter” (Shanley 32). Father Flynn was nervous that Donald talked to Sister Aloysius about the issue. Father Flynn’s concerns about Donald’s talking display that he is worried that their stories won’t line up and result in the school finding out the truth about Father Flynn and his past. 

Throughout all the evidence in the play, I believe that Father Flynn is guilty. Father Flynn’s suspicious actions throughout the play, like refusing to answer questions and leaving the school, help to prove that he is guilty. Being accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a student is a serious matter and should not be taken lightly. All pieces of evidence should be examined carefully even if it is just a talk with a student.