Doubt A Parable by John Patrick Shanley

[M.T. Al-Mansouri, Ph.D.]

M.T. Al-Mansouri,Ph.D. Ottawa, Canada (www.Afnanonline.net) : The play by John Patrick Shanley, an American Roman Catholic playwright and Screenwriter , was a criticism of child molestation by priest. What do you do when you are not sure? Father Flynn asks the audience in the opening line, setting the stage for a story of suspicion and moral uncertainty. Setting: A Catholic school in the Bronx. Time: Autumn 1964. Characters: Sister Aloysius, Father Flynn, Sister James and Mrs. Muller. Date premiered February 25 to March 14, 2009. Premiered is Gladstone Theatre ( www.thegladstone.ca), City of Ottawa, Canada. Original language English. Genre Drama. Directed by John P. Kelly, who has a wide experience in directorial work, not only in Canada, but also in Ireland.. He received the “Best Director Award” for 2007 from the Capital Critics Circle of Ottawa, for his production of Marie Jones “ A Night in November” for which Pierre Brault received “Best Actor.” Because of his great production, John P. Kelly was also nominated for several other awards. Steve Martin wrote in his welcome letter “ Doubt defined as to be uncertain about; consider questionable or unlikely; hesitate to believe. To distrust. A man hiking in the woods fell and hit his head on a rock. His arm was broken and was bleeding. Dazed and confused he wandered aimlessly in search of rescue. As doubt about his survival set in he happened upon a bridge where his doubt turned to hope for on the other side of the bridge stood a hospital. With his first step the plank under his foot cracked and gave way and the bridge began to swing. Immediately the man stepped back. Doubt had returned. The help he needed was on the other side of a bridge whose structural integrity was now in doubt. Should he attempt to cross and the bridge collapse there would be no doubt about his death in the rocky cavern below. Doubt had him paralyzed with fear as he stood gazing across the bridge at that which could save him. We, to many people are a bridge. It’s our integrity that gives confidence to those who need to rely on us. Every word and every action work to establish or diminish doubt. Therefore, let us live our lives to obliterate for others the lives in us.