Doubt (2008), Essay Example

When a person does not know of the facts that creates the background of a particular fact, it is but common that he would doubt the existence of such matter and become quite adamant in accepting immediately the facts that come along with it. In the movie Doubt (2008) specifically features how ignorance actually determines the existence of personal doubt on the reality of matters as well as the doubt on the realities suggested by the surrounding environment and surrounding individuals.

Set in 1964, the classic presentation on how Catholic schools are managed during the said era specifically provides a distinct indication on how hierarchy of command among the authorities of the church is applied relatively in relation to how schools are being directed. Priests and nuns during the time [some up to this time] are considered as God’s representation on earth. Such position has distinctively placed some authorities in churches during the time to view themselves as somewhat superior than others. Nuns and priests, being imperfect humans as they are also develop particular conflicts between each other. Staying together and working together towards one goal usually puts these individuals within conflicting situations that often cause them to thrive in chaotic troubles within the church.

Serving in a Catholic School, Sister Aloysius [played by Meryl Streep] is the strict principal who is aggressive enough to make sure that everything goes according to plan and that everyone follows the rule of the institution she is working with. Considerably, her course of determining the problems that come along in relation to the students she oversees and the teachers she manages is specifically depending on personal observance. Being a smart and intellectual individual, Sister Aloysius believes that when she begins to doubt on something, there has to be something wrong.

Unlike Sister Aloysius, Sister James, the young and naïve nun and instructor, often believes on whatever she is told, especially by her superiors. She is able to identify well with the concept of people being able to tell her everything that is real and accordingly, she follows through what she is told while she acts upon the situations she faces through determining a specific course of assistance from her superiors. She could be considered all-trusting. For someone who has been raised in the convent and the church being her primary home as she was growing up, Sister James was evidently vulnerable to everything she hears and considers such information to real thus immediately believe in them. Unlike her though, Sister Aloysius is more of an inferring person. Considerably, with her age and the experiences she has encountered in her life, Sister Aloysius thinks more than what she sees. She tries to take notice of every single detail that she thinks might ruin the reputation of the school, the reputation of her teachers and the value she upholds that define the entire culture of the school she tries to manage.

Relatively, this movie shows how doubt could manipulate one’s thinking and actions. Father Flynn, the parish’s head priest is noted for his good background and good attitude towards all. Most often than not, he seen to be mingling with the congregation members every after mass; he extends his hands to those who seemingly need his help and he gives his assistance and listens to the thoughts and complaints of the members of the congregation one-by-one. Such an approach to his responsibility as a Parish Priest drew him closer to the people within the community and within the congregation. Sister Aloysius was however not fully convinced about such goodness in the man.

Relatively, Sister Aloysius is presented in the movie as the one from whom ‘doubt’ comes from. Thinking of whether or not the priest is being true to his post and his responsibilities has always mingled in the mind of Sister Aloysius. At some point, it could be considered that her doubts could be identified to fall into three categories. One is the doubt against the parish priest, another is the doubt against the ones who has appointed him to take the said position and third is the doubt against herself; of whether or not she is actually believing on what she sees or is she believing on what she assumes. Although Sister Aloysius was doubtful about the being of Father Flynn and the appropriateness of his appointment in the parish, she seldom says a thing about it. She remains to be observant of his movements and constantly gives attention to how he mingles with others, especially with his students.

One of the individuals with whom Father Flynn shares a special bond with was Donald, the only black student in the campus. Sister James believes that the closeness that Father Flynn has with the child was somewhat paternal. Seeing the need to support the child, to motivate him and guide him personally as a mentor, Father Flynn stepped into the platform and presented himself for the job. He is seen by both Sisters James and Sister Aloysius several times in the film to be having a rather intimate talk with the child. There was even a time when Sister James saw Father Flynn putting in white shirt into the locker of the child one time. However, when Father Flynn tried to explain his side to Sister James, she immediately believed him. Although Sister Aloysius did not see such incident, she has a strong feeling that there is something wrong. However, unable to prove the supposed sin committed by the priest, she becomes desperate. Such desperation even grew deeper when the priest, instead of being demoted, was even promoted to a better and larger parish outside their community and was seemingly blessed somehow. The plot of the story does not say whether or not Father Flynn was indeed guilty from the accusations that Sister Aloysius places on his head. Nevertheless, the ending of the movie suggests so much that Sister Aloysius sticks to her belief and is hoping to still expose what she knows of, yet she has already developed doubt against the committee that assigns priests in their congregational assignments hence making it harder for her to be convinced that the system she is serving in is somewhat fraudulent in some terms.

The existence of doubt, as defined by Rene’ Descartes, is something that motivates humans to improve further, to move forward and somehow embrace excellence as a culture. When it comes to the case of Sister Aloysius, her strong connection with the laws of the church motivates her to doubt about the existing problems in the church which involves the actions of Father Flynn towards students [in this case, specifically pointed at Donald]. Learning about the background of the child and how his mother believes that all that Father Flynn wanted for her son was to succeed, did not stop Sister Aloysius towards pursuing the desire to straighten up the situation for the sake of the church and the other students they serve. Undeniably, being a slave to her doubts made her a little bit adamant about the supposed facts she sees with her own eyes. Notably, it is the existence of the said doubts that she becomes constantly strict and seemingly unhappy with the life she is living in.