1. doubt by John Patrick Shanley
“What do you really know, and how do you know it?”

2. The Playwright Born in the Bronx, New York, 1959
Educated by Irish Christian Brothers and Sisters of Charity Nuns
Doubt won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, 2005, the Tony Award for Best Play, and other awards
“We are living in an age of extreme advocacy, of confrontation, of judgment and verdict. Discussion has given way to debate. Communication has become a contest of wills. Public talking has become obnoxious and insincere. Why? It’s because, deep down under the chatter, we have come to a place where we don’t know anything. But nobody’s willing to say that.”
Agree or Disagree? Why?
Examples. . .

3. Historical background 1960s
Bronx, New York—a relatively rough neighborhood
Population consisted of Italian, German, Irish, Polish, and Jewish inhabitants
Increasing Hispanic and African American population
July 1964—Civil Rights Act was passed
Racism and prejudice still dominated
October, VATICAN II
Sweeping changes to Roman Catholic Church formality
Mass was said in native language
Priests faced the congregation
More “commonality” with people in congregation

4. The Play
Parable
Brief story to make a point or teach a lesson
Ordinary ideas—everyday situations
Complicated ideas are made easier to understand
Set in 1964, Bronx borough (neighborhood), New York city
st. Nicholas catholic school
Parish is made up of mostly Italians and irish
Themes / ideas in the play—
power, faith, morality
Suspicion, law, responsibility

5. characters Father Brendan Flynn Sister Aloysius Beauvier Sister James
Working-class man
Catholic priest at St. Nicholas Parish
In his 30s age-wise and teaches basketball at the school
Sister Aloysius Beauvier
Member of Sisters of Charity Order
Principal of St. Nicholas School
50 – 60 years old
Sister James
New 8th grade teacher at St. Nicholas School
In her 20s
Mrs. Muller
Mother of Donald Muller (Only African-American student at the school)

6. POPE CARDINAL BISHOP MONSIGNOR PRIESTS LAITY NUNS
Church hierarchy
POPE CARDINAL BISHOP MONSIGNOR PRIESTS LAITY NUNS

7. events Opens with Father Flynn’s sermon on the nature of “doubt”
Sister Aloysius meets with Sister James about her “teaching style”
Father Flynn seems to be taking an interest in Donald Muller
Sister Aloysius becomes suspicious, confronts Father Flynn
She then talks to Donald’s mother
Father Flynn angrily confronts Sister Aloysius
Doubt ensues

8. “If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end with doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties.” --Francis Bacon
Think of a situation of which you were uncertain—maybe an accusation or suspicion that you had. . .
What did you really know for sure?
What method did you use to get to the truth?
Were you willing to accept the consequences of actions based on beliefs the accusation or suspicion might be false?
How do you see the world—in black and white or shades of gray?

9. “Can you get comfortable with not knowing, with not being certain
“Can you get comfortable with not knowing, with not being certain? –John Patrick Shanley
Name 3 things in your life that you are certain about.
Why are you so certain about these things?
On what do you base your certainty?