It
was not my first time to watch the movie “Doubt”
last week. I watched the film on the big screen in 2008 as a way of spending
quality time with my husband plus the fact that it was an Oscar Entry starred
by Meryl Streep, who is highly regarded as one of the most talented actors of
all time. Just like many others who have watched the movie, this thought
provoking piece led to raise myself many questions. Is Father Flynn guilty of
improper behavior, or is he the victim of Sr. Aloysius’ misguided suspicions?
When should we stand firm in our convictions and when should we question them?
These questions are just one of the proofs that the creators of this film have
done a very wonderful job in meeting their goal, to instill doubt in the minds
of the viewers. Sister Aloysius who disbelieved Fr. Flynn completely is neither
the doubter nor Sister James who ended up believing him. Instead, it’s we, the
viewers. We are all doubters and we doubted Fr. Flynn’s innocence. As a
doubter, I thought of examining selected scenes in the movie and the behaviors
of the main cast, namely Sister Aloysius, Fr. Flynn, and Sister James.
Sister Aloysius
Early
in the movie, it was shown how Sister Aloysius disciplined the students for not
paying attention during the Holy Mass. Also when she confiscated the transistor
radio of a boy and sent him to her office for not listening to Sister James’
class discussion. These clearly tell us of Sr. Aloysius’ authoritarian and
strict approach in disciplining the students. She is a dragon lady of the
school who doesn’t tolerate even the slightest misbehavior. She reminded me of
my High School days at the Sisters of Mary Girlstown School, a prestigious
institution also run by nuns. I can still remember on how I would straighten up
my spine during a song practice when our Mother Superior and Principal would
roam around, how our teachers made sure they are at their best when a nun
passes through the corridor during class discussions. Worst was when our
Sister-in-charge dined with us and it had to be me sitting next to her, the fear
that she might get mad if I don’t say a word and the fear to say something
which might not sound pleasing to her ears. With these encounters, I can really
relate to how the students in the movie feel towards their tough principal. But
though Sister Aloysius might fit the stereotype of an angry Catholic school nun
who slaps the hands of students with a stick, I’m still convinced that her
behavior is only motivated by her genuine concern for those in her care. The
kindness within her is shown in the scene when she was in the cafeteria with
the other nuns. Notice that she did not eat, she only took medicine and water.
She didn’t comment on how she was feeling like most people would do. She
instead monitored carefully the entire cafeteria full of rowdy students while
helping the blind nun sitting next to her clean off her sleeves and conversing
with Sr. James about the welfare of a student. When she perceived that Donald
Muller maybe in grave danger in the hands of Fr. Fynn, perhaps suspected the
latter had already exploited the boy, she did everything within her power to
protect him. In my opinion, she did the right thing to assume the role of a
guardian and protector of the endangered student, even when the child’s own
mother is unable to assume the role itself. Speaking as a parent, I would
certainly do whatever it takes to protect my son from any danger especially when
it’s an issue that has something to do with sexual exploitation. Just like
Sister Aloysius who hasn’t the slightest proof of her suspicions towards Fr.
Flynn, even if I lack sources or have the least chance to prove it, I wouldn’t
entertain doubt to question my speculations for I don’t want to end up in the
worst kind of regret, a regret when it’s too late to do anything about it.
Fr. Flynn
Father
Flynn is a priest who coaches basketball to boys in the school and tends to the
spiritual needs of the students and their families. Unlike Sister Aloysius, he
is moderate in his beliefs about discipline and tradition. He likes the notion
of the church embracing the modern culture so that it’s leading members can be
seen as friends and family. Below is an excerpt from the film, Fr. Flynn’s
dialogue to Sr. Aloysius from where I partly based my judgement:
“
I’m not flesh and blood like you? Or are we just convictions? I can’t say
everything. Don’t you understand? There are things I can’t say. Even if you
can’t imagine the explanation, Sister, remember that there are circumstances
beyond your knowledge. Even if you feel certainty, it is an emotion not a fact.
In the spirit of charity I appeal to you! ”
The
phrase such as “There are things I can’t say” seem to imply a level of shame or
possibly guilt on Fr. Flynn – ashamed to tell that he is gay or guilty of
sexually exploiting an eight-grade boy? However, Fr. Flynn firmly claimed, “I
have not done anything wrong”. When Sister Aloysius confronted him in a
separate scene about Donald Muller and the alcohol that was on the boy’s
breath, he even explained that the boy was caught by the school custodian
drinking the altar wine and he had called Donald Muller to the rectory to warn
him that such offence is more than enough to expel him as one of the altar
boys. But in view of Donald’s situation in the school, he has offered him a
second chance if no one else finds out about the incident, and if he promises
not to do it again. However, now that the secret is in the open, he will have
to remove Donald Muller from serving as an altar boy. This explanation was
believed by Sr. James but did not satisfy Sister Aloysius. Say we concede that
Father Flynn is not guilty of any misconduct, why would he burst into such
emotion when Sister Aloysius falsely told him that the nun from his previous
parish made incriminating statements about his past, a prior history of
infringements? In response to Sister Aloysius’ lie which sounded more of a
threat to him, Fr. Flynn resigned from the school, was transferred and promoted
as a pastor to another parish. If he didn’t have something really dark to hide,
surely he would have stood his ground, but why did he resign? He must have
valid reasons to come up with such decision. Whatever reasons he had, I have
two things in mind, Fr. Flynn resigned because he didn’t want to ruin his
reputation and he was concealing a
wrongdoing he has done either in the past or at the present time, but
the question if he had sexually exploited Donald Muller remains unanswered.
Sister James
Planted
in the middle and torn between Sister Aloysius and Fr. Flynn’s points of view
is this young and enthusiastic nun, Sister James. She isn’t sure which of the
two Philosophies to follow. She has innocent trust to goodness in every person
that was why she easily believed to Fr. Flynn’s explanation and she right away
apologized to his boy student with whom she reprimanded and raised her voice
to, when the boy said sorry. This film is not about action and explosions but
Sister James was exploded with confusions which rooted from two contradicting
dialogues of Sister Aloysius and Fr. Flynn to her. They are as follow:
Sister Aloysius : “Innocence is a form of laziness. Innocent
teachers are easily duped. You must be canny. The heart is warm, but your wits
must be cold. The children should think you see right through them.”
Fr. Flynn : “ There are people who go after your humanity,
Sister James, who tell you the light in your heart is weakness. That your soft
feeling betray you…There’s nothing wrong with love. Have you forgotten the message
of the Savior to us all ? Love.”
Her
peace of mind was stolen from her when she put herself between these thoughts.
She even had a terrible dream and couldn’t sleep well. Is this the prize kind-hearted
people get?
Relevance to Educator :
As an educator, am I Sister
James, Sister Aloysius or Fr. Flynn ? What method of teaching is most
effective? “Good and effective
teachers are cold and cunning, creating
a bit of fear within the hearts of the students”
is one of Sister Aloysius philosophies which simply implies an authoritarian method that according to Baumrind
(1971) is a style characterized by
numerous behavioral regulations, often seen as punitive and restrictive, and
students have neither a say in their management, nor are they seen to need
explanations; the teacher's character is perceived as being cold, even
punishing. Contrary
to this, Sr. James wants her students to feel they can talk to her while Fr.
Flynn is sympathetic, playful and prioritizes kindness over rules and belief.
Of
the three, I can’t find where to fit myself in. I totally agree with Sister
James because I believe I can still be an effective teacher without being harsh
to my students but I’m not as innocent and as pure as her. I’m also sure I’m
not the Sister Aloysius whose authoritarian method governs. Her method is a big
“NO” for me because I believe that this method would create rebellious
individuals. I may be more of Fr. Flynn who is approachable and sympathetic to the
students except that I cut my nails short. But what method of teaching is
really effective? Well, we can’t dictate any educator on to what method is best
for their students because any best method is dependent to the students the
teacher encounters. It’s the teacher’s role to find out what’s best for his
students and there are many factors he has to consider, one of these is the
behavior of the students.
“I
have doubts, I have such doubts”, with these words, the movie ends.
~The Telos~
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