161 Doubt Worksheet SP18 PDF

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You are required to read the play "DOUBT" and complete an assignment on it. This is the assignment filled out....

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THEATRE 161

SPRING, 2018 PLAY ANALYSIS FOR DOUBT: A Parable By JOHN PATRICK SHANLEY

Play Breakdown 9 Scenes 58 Pages 4 Characters Analysis FOR EACH SCENE OF THE PLAY: 1. Identify the NAMES of the character(s) from each scene. 2. Identify one STAGE DIRECTION from each scene that gives important information about a character. Include the actual stage direction on your paper. A stage direction is written in italics and most often occurs at the top of the scene. 3. Identify one ACTION from each scene (something one character does). The action should be something you visualize in your imagination as you read the scene. It should be something you “see” that happens during the scene. This should NOT be a stage direction. 4. Identify at least one piece of DIALOGUE from each scene that sticks out in your mind. Include the actual line from the script on your paper. Offer a brief reason why this dialogue is significant or memorable.

Playwright’s structure Identify two Balanced Forces in conflict with each other during this play (Two characters or two ideas). Character analysis What is Sister Aloysius’ super-objective? Play analysis Identify and explain how Fr. Flynn and Mrs. Muller function as obstacles of Sr. Aloysius.

ANALYSIS Scene I 1. Father Brendan Flynn. 2. A priest, Father Flynn, in his late thirties, in green and gold testaments, gives a sermon. He is working class, from the Northeast. This identifies Father Flynn’s career, and background. 3. He gives a sermon and stands at the front of a congregation motioning with his hands to the Father. 4. “Doubt can be a bond as powerful and sustaining as certainty” – Flynn This quote sticks out because it is true in life and something often times not realized. Scene II 1. Sister Aloysius Beauvier and Sister James 2. Sister James hesitates and sits down. This stage direction leads readers to feel the uneasy vibe in the presence of Sister Aloysius 3. Sister Aloysius degrades Sister James, and raises her voice at her sternly. 4. “Have you noticed anything, sister James? I want you to be alert” – Sister Aloysius. This quote stands out because it was very mysterious. I feel as though it foreshadows something to come. Scene III 1. Father Brendan Flynn 2. The lights crossfade to Father Flynn, whistle around his neck, in a sweatshirt and pants, holding a basketball. Here it appears Father Flynn is coaching basketball. 3. One can physically visualize Father Flynn coaching the young boys here, interacting with them. Laughing. 4. “I’ve noticed several of you have dirty nails. I don’t like that.”- Father Flynn. It strikes me off that the Priest calls out the boys for dirty nails. It’s a very unique thing to worry about. Scene IV 1. Sister Aloysius and Sister James 2. Sister Aloysius, who has been fussing with mulch, is suddenly rigid. She rises. This reveals Sister Aloysius’s uneasiness and worry. 3. Sister Aloysius having an internal conflict as in what to do. 4. “He’s taken an interest. Since Donald went on the alter boys.” – Sister James. This quote is memorable because it’s a very striking quote in the plot. Scene V 1. Sister Aloysius, Father Flynn, Sister James 2. Sister Aloysius is unmoved. 3. Sister Aloysius quickly walking to her desk to answer the phone. 4. “I’ll bring him down. With or without your help.”- Sister Aloysius. This is significant because it reveals how determined Sister Aloysius is to bring Flynn down.

Scene VI 1. Father Flynn 2. Father Flynn, dressed in blue and white vestments, is at the pulpit. 3. He is standing at the podium preaching and making gestures with his hands. 4. “And that”, said Father Flynn, “ is gossip” Scene VII 1. Father Flynn and Sister James 2. She cries a little. He pats her uneasily, looking around” 3. Father Flynn become very aggravated and more energetic when opening up about the situation with the boy. I can see him making hand gestures and talking very actively. 4. “The most innocent actions can seem sinister to a poisoned mind” -Father Flynn. This stands out due to it resembling Sister Aloysius. Scene VIII 1. Sister Aloysius and Mrs. Muller and Father Flynn. 2. Father Flynn appears at the door. He’s in a controlled fury 3. We can visualize the action of Flynn actively speaking to Sister Aloysius. We can feel the tension in the room. 4. “I need to make and appointment to see the bishop” – Father Flynn. Father Flynn has had enough and is now going above Aloysius’s head. Scene IX 1. Sister James and Sister Aloysius 2. Sister Aloysius is bent with emotion 3. We can visualize the sisters talking in the garden. 4. “I have doubts! I have such doubts!”- Sister Aloysius. This stands out because it leaves us confused. Not satisfied. Playwright’s structure Two characters in conflict here are Father Flynn and Sister Aloysius. Character analysis Sister Aloysius’s super-objective is to get rid of Father Flynn, and more so, be right. Although she claims to do it for the students, her pride is the one that lies the highest and most important. Play analysis Father Flynn and Mrs. Muller are obstacle because both of them disagree with herm. Father Flynn refuses that he did anything wrong and will not “confess”. Mrs. Muller also is indifferent to the situation especially due to the lack of proof. Niether strictly agree with Sister Aloysius....