Doubt: A Parable

John Patrick Shanley

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 2005

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Doubt: A Parable

Genre: Fiction; drama; psychological drama
Originally Published: 2005
Reading Level/Interest: Grades 11-12; college/adult
Structure/Length: One act; approx. 54 pages; approx. 1 hour, 30 minutes of running time
Protagonist/Central Conflict: The play is set in a Catholic school in the Bronx in 1964. The central character, Sister Aloysius—the school’s principal—suspects the parish priest, Father Flynn, of inappropriate conduct with one of the students. The central conflict revolves around themes of suspicion, moral certainty, and the elusiveness of truth as Sister Aloysius confronts Father Flynn and navigates her doubts and convictions.
Potential Sensitivity Issues: Potential child abuse and its moral implications; religious themes; discussions of race and gender roles within the church; psychological tension

John Patrick Shanley, Author

Bio: Born 1950; American playwright, screenwriter, and director; grew up in the Bronx, New York; served in the US Marine Corps; educated at New York University; won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Moonstruck (1987); often explores complex moral and ethical issues in his works
Other Works: Danny and the Deep Blue Sea (1984); Savage in Limbo (1984); The Dreamer Examines His Pillow (1986); Moonstruck (1987); Four Dogs and a Bone (1993); Outside Mullingar (2014)
Awards: Pulitzer Prize for Drama (2005); Tony Award for Best Play (2005); Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play (2005)