Analyzing Pedophilia based on contextual evidence in the Play, ‘Doubt, A Parable’, by John Patrick Shanley
This paper is a critical analysis of sexual abuse of children within the Catholic school system. Moreover, it aims to examine the behavior exhibited by Father Flynn in a “Doubt, A Parable” by John Patrick Shanley and how it aligns with pedophilic tendencies. The utilization of the details uncovered can be addressed particularly in light of rendering support Sister Aloysius’ doubts.
Analysis of pedophilic tendencies and their alignment to Flynn’s behavior
Pedophiles use their position of power to interact with and control juveniles them to their advantage
(Marshall " Fine 49). Sister Aloysius states (Shanley 14), “He is my superior.” The implication is that Father Flynn is only answerable to other priests as well as the monsignor. Moreover, he issues threats portending Sister Aloysius’ removal should she continue raising concern regarding his conduct. The priest fears for his reputation. Hence, he contacts a priest at the parish where he intends to serve after his excommunication from St. Nicholas Church School. Instead of accounting for his actions, a promotion making him a pastor at St. Jerome. The position allows him to exercise immense power over the students under his care.
Individuals with information about pedophilic tendencies are forced to contend with restrained rights to speech particularly when the perpetrators are their superiors (Miller 36). In most cases, the repercussions involve excommunication from the church which holds no salvation possibilities outside its walls. Sister Aloysius in the play Doubt, A Parable is an excellent example of the few people, who are courageous enough to come out and fight sexual abuse of children as a vice facing most of the Catholic school systems (Stoker 65). She is aware of the possible consequences including being dismissed for antagonizing her male superiors, but she firmly believes that she must protect the interests of her students by pursuing a priest who she feels confident is a predator. Mrs. Muller cautions Sister Aloysius against following up on Father Flynn’s conduct as it is impossible to be against “a man in a robe and win.” Moreover, she states that, “he’s got the position” (Shanley 47).
Sister Aloysius acts excellently and responsibly within the religious setting (Pilgrim 309). Hence, she advocates for people to come out without fear of being intimidated and disclose any cases of pedophilia activities within the Catholic school system and the society in general (Stoker 63). Cases of adult-children sexual relationships have become prevalent within the community hence creating the need to end the vice.
Father Flynn the best chance for Donald’s social and academic success. Cullingford (251) indicates that clergymen who take to abusing minors sexually often assume the role as their protectors. Sister James confides in Sister Aloysius by stating that Muller “has no friends (Shanley 19). Moreover, Sister Aloysius worries that other students might hit him. The parish primarily serves Irish or Italian families. However, Muller comes from an African-American background. The outcome is a slow social prowess for the student and increased vulnerability to the unbecoming behavior of other students. However, Sister James indicates that Father Flynn is Muller’s protector. The situation increases the student’s chances of falling prey to the father’s pedophilic tendencies.
Furthermore, children who are either withdrawn or hail from underprivileged backgrounds often attract the attention of pedophiles. Sister Aloysius indicates that Donald Muller “has nothing” (Shanley 55). More so, he is treated contemptuously by other students while his Father subjects him to beatings for any faults committed. Hence, Muller suffers from isolation from his peers. However, Flynn accords him special attention. The priest believes in treating the students warmly. He claims that poisoned minds are more likely to misconstrue actions characterized by innocence.
Pedophilia features sexual relationships between adults and children. Adults engaging in relationships that lead to the exploitation of minors exhibit a 5-16 years gap with the victims age-wise. Father Flynn is approaching his forties. On the hand, Muller is 12 years old. Moreover, Sister Aloysius helps to foster an understanding of the students in the institution. She describes Willian London’s father as a policeman who detests rowdiness in boys. She continues to indicate that “Puberty has got a hold of him” (Shanley 8). As a result, experienced sisters handle the school’s eighth-graders to counter the challenges they present. Mostly, 13-14 are the ages of children in the eighth grade.
Moreover, some of the infringements committed against children are likely to soil the past employment history of pedophiles. Within five years, Father Flynn rendered his services to three parishes. Albeit the concealed nature of the priest's infringements in past parishes, they are among the reasons why he sought to transfer. The causes for moving to other schools are not clearly outlined to warrant Father Flynn association with pedophilic tendencies. Regardless, Shanley cautions his audience against the temptation of judging others without enough proof. Sister Aloysius lacks proof of Flynn’s misconduct and instead relies on her certainty. Her suspicions emanate from actions which could characterize normal interactions between individuals. For example, Sister Aloysius claims that she saw the father, “touch William London’s wrist” (Shanley 52) which contributes to the priest’s chagrin. Moreso, Sister James stipulates that the nun discourages warmth and instead favors interactions which are formal between teachers and their students.
Shanley advocates for an appropriate and open attitude and perspective towards those under the accusation of wrong-doing
(Shanley 59). However, Aloysius is close-minded with regards to Father Flynn’s conduct such that she even lies about a phone call made to the parish in which he previously served. The acquisition of the priest’s resignation becomes an uphill task that makes the nun to resort to blackmail. Sister Aloysius demands that the priest should make a confession and tender his resignation (Shanley 50). According to Cullingford (254), extensive doubt exists regarding the right course of action to take in solving the problem of the sexual relationship between an adult and a child within various social settings.
Few people can accurately pre-determine the actual intentions of a suspected person. Furthermore, there is a possibility that they might become a victim of false accusations in the absence of any wrong-doing regardless of the underlying motives which are purely genuine. The conversation between Sister Aloysius and Donald’s mother indicates the hidden nature of Father Flynn’s motives. Mrs Muller justifies the father’s actions by indicating that, “everybody has their reasons” (Shanley 49). Moreover, the nun perplexes Donald’s mother by not providing the evidence necessary to qualify that claims about the priest’s misconduct.
Moreover, some of the infringements committed against children are likely to soil their past employment history (Tenbergen 344).
Activities involving minors extensively fascinate pedophiles as opposed to engagements which are adult oriented. In some cases, pedophiles are likely to assume some roles which are supervisory. Father Flynn’s is a coach in basketball and delivers sermons in the parish. Father Flynn organizes a session in which he educates the boys on “how to be a man”.Such engagements ensure his proximity to the boys at St. Nicholas Church School. The authoritative position provides an avenue through which he can lure Donald Muller. The description accorded to the father’s action indicate his propensity to spend some of his private time in Muller’s company. His interest in Donald’s undertakings spurred some of the suspicions harbored by Sister Aloysius.
The Catholic school system ranks among key places where pedophilia is common (Fritsch 39). The engagement in sexual activities by nuns and priest is forbidden. Hence, they are required to exercise purity by abstaining from inappropriate behavior. However, such an environments set the tone for various forms of sexual malpractices. Moreover, some religious activists have staunchly defended the actions of the clergymen by claiming that to a great extent, it might not be their fault that they find themselves in close relationships with the children with the school setting. According to Maggio and Valter (68), one of the arguments raised indicates the existence of little and ineffective seminary training provided to the clergy in the attempt of preparing them for a lifetime of celibate sexuality. The fact that both the Fathers and the Sisters are aware that they are not supposed to have an intimate relationship with each other makes them consider exploiting the children within the school settings for the sexual pleasures. Moreover, inadequate training and knowledge on handling carnal desires characterize most of the clergy’s experiences. Hence, their vulnerability paves the way for their engagement in sexual relationships with the children at their disposal (Maggio and Valter 69).
Furthermore, the constrained environment paves the way for single males with limited relations with other adults
(Carter 62). Sister Aloysius primarily interacts with Sister James even though she is her superior. On the other hand, Flynn mostly interacts with other adults while making attempts to resolve the issues considered as a plague to the parish. However, he elects to use most of his time with male students with little interest in female students including Noreen Horan or even Brenda McNulty. For example, Sister Aloysius notes that as the boys leave the rectory, they have a smug look pointing to the possibility of a shared secret after the time they spend with Father Flynn. She voices Donald Muller’s queer behavior after his exit from the rectory. The nun alludes that Muller’s discomfort stems from a violation by the priest. However, Mrs Muller explains that her son attracts a beating for any of the atrocities he commits from his father. Father Flynn underscores the beatings as the source of Donald Muller’s strange mannerism when leaving the rectory.
The play’s event lacks some reference to the uncouth conduct between Father Flynn and Donald Muller. Their interaction characteristically engenders companionship and fatherly love expressed by Father Flynn to the child. The accusations levied against the priest make him remark that he, “ cares about that boy very much” (Shanley 55). Hence, Flynn protects for Muller from segregation for his African-American heritage and the suspicions of gayish tendencies. As a result, Muller’s does experience extreme isolation. Mrs. Muller assertion indicates Father Flynn is among the individuals that Donald looks up to. She notes that her son requires needs a caring individual’s time, which is offered by the priest. She claims that it, “is what the boy needs” (Shanley 44).
In conclusion, the play Doubt, A Parable mandates the audience’s critical reflection right before they decide to act on pre-conceptions. However, ruling out the fact that there exists a possibility that indeed Father Flynn was guilty of having a sexual relationship with Donald would be presumptuous (Terry and Alissa 648). The facts prevalent concerning Father Flynn and Muller’s interaction hardly qualify his pedophilic tendencies.
New guidelines and church laws need to be put into place to protect the sexual assault victims from the perpetrators and ensure that all illegal violation of human rights-particularly same-gender sexual abuse, are reported and punishment extended to those found guilty of such crimes. Such rules can streamline the activities in which its clergy are involved. The guidelines should underscore the occurrence of pedophilic acts and the appropriate punishments. Guilty Fathers face the liability of expulsion particularly after the determination of their unbecoming acts. For example, disciplinary actions could comprise jail sentences or excommunication from serving respective churches. Such strategies can help eradicate cases of pedophilia within the Catholic school system where they have been found to be very rampant. Strict measures applicable to various settings are necessary for religious as well as social settings where incidents of pedophilia are common in efforts of eliminating this vice (Terry and Alissa 652).
Works Cited
Carter, Alice T. "No 'Doubt' This Play Makes You Think." Rev. of Doubt: A Parable, by John Patrick Shanley. Tribune-Revicattw Theatre Critic 14 July, 2009, pp. 62-87.
Cullingford, Elizabeth. "Evil, Sin or Doubt? The Dramas of Clerical Abuse." Theatre Journal, vol. 62, no. 2, 2010, pp. 245-263.
Fine, Marshall. "John Patrick Shanley; Having Doubts." Hollywood and Fine: Movies for Smart People. Hollywood and Fine. 22 Dec. 2008, pp. 46-97.
Fritsch, Valter Henrique. “One Steps Away From God”: An Analysis of John Patrick Shanley's Doubt, a Parable Through a Hermeneutics of the Imaginary. 2012, pp. 37-69.
Maggio, Sandra Sirangelo, and Valter Henrique Fritsch. "The Playwright as a Translator of Himself: Doubt, a Parable on the Page and the Screen.", 2013, pp. 65-79
Miller, Lisa. “A Woman’s Place is in the Church.” Newsweek, 2010, pp. 36–41.
Pilgrim, David. "The Child Abuse Crisis in the Catholic Church: International, National and Personal Policy Aspects." Policy " Politics, vol. 39, no. 3, 2011, pp. 309-324.
Shanley, John Patrick. Doubt: A Parable. New York: Dramatist Play Service, 2005, pp. 29-186.
Stoker, Kristopher M. “Lost but not Alone: Creating the Role of Father Flynn in John Patrick Shanley's “Doubt: A Parable”.” University of Arkansas, 2008, pp. 53-88.
Terry, Karen J., and Alissa Ackerman. "Child Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church: How Situational Crime Prevention Strategies Can Help Create Safe Environments." Criminal Justice and Behavior, 2008, pp. 643-657.
