Doubt: A Parable Character Analysis

Sister Aloysius

Sister Aloysius is a middle-aged nun who serves as the principal of St. Nicholas School. A strict disciplinarian, she is committed to what she sees as the traditional ways of running a Catholic school. Consequently… read analysis of Sister Aloysius

Father Flynn

Father Flynn is a priest at St. Nicholas Church and School whom Sister Aloysius accuses of sexually abusing a student. Unlike Sister Aloysius, he believes that the Catholic Church needs to make an effort to… read analysis of Father Flynn

Sister James

Sister James is a young nun at St. Nicholas School. A person with “sunshine in her heart,” she wants to be the kind of teacher students feel comfortable talking to about their problems. However, her… read analysis of Sister James

Donald Muller

Donald Muller is an eighth grader at St. Nicholas School. The school’s first black student, Donald is new to St. Nicholas and—as a result—doesn’t have any friends. Sister James and Sister Aloysius talk about him… read analysis of Donald Muller

Mrs. Muller

Mrs. Muller is Donald’s mother. When she learns from Sister Aloysius that Father Flynn might be sexually abusing her son, she refuses to do anything about the situation. This is because she thinks doing… read analysis of Mrs. Muller

William London

William London is a student in Sister James’s class. When he gets a nosebleed at the beginning of the play, Sister James sends him to Sister Aloysius’s office. Sister Aloysius, in turn, sends… read analysis of William London

Minor Characters

Monsignor Benedict

Monsignor Benedict is the most powerful and influential figure at St. Nicholas Church and School. Unfortunately for Sister Aloysius, though, he is unwilling to use his power to challenge abusers like Father Flynn, instead protecting him by refusing to believe that he is a sexual abuser.

Doubt: A Parable

John Patrick Shanley