Doubt: A Parable

Sister James and Sister Aloysius represent two different sides of how to approach doubt. Sister Aloysius skeptically believes that “innocence is a form of laziness” (12), while Sister James begins to feel further away from God as her suspicions mount and her innocence recedes. Sister Aloysius believes that it is not their place to be innocent, but rather that innocence is for the children, and that their role is to be diligent moral guardians. Sister James feels that joy, enthusiasm, and innocence are part of love, which is from God, while Sister Aloysius believes that such things are left to the non-clergy, who have not chosen to separate themselves from the general population in order to become symbols of holiness.

Sister Alyosius states that “when you take a step to address wrongdoing, you are taking a step away from God, but in His service” (20). At the end of the play, she even goes so far as to say that she would damn herself to hell to do what needs to be done. Ultimately, she believes that if the greater good is served, it’s all in the service of God.