Doubt

Javaflix 5.09.08            DOUBT Discussion Guide 

Doubt - to be uncertain about; consider questionable or unlikely; hesitate to believe

• What were you thinking about as the film ended?

• What did you think of the ending? Were you surprised by it?

• Do you think Father Flynn is guilty or innocent? Why? Is it hard to answer this question? Why? Is his guilt or innocence the point of the story?

• What does your perception of Father Flynn reveal about you?

• Was it easier for you to side with Sister Aloysius or Father Flynn? Why?

• At certain points did you go back and forth with how you felt about Father Flynn?

• Do current events stories of Priests molesting children effect how you viewed Father Flynn?

• What is the filmmaker intentions? (by not answering questions) -  wants the audience to recognize their own uncertainly and to struggle with what that means. If we jump to conclusions, are we the same as similar Aloysius?

• The stage title is Doubt: A Parable. What is the lesson intended from this parable?

• What do you do with doubt? In what ways can doubt be helpful? Hurtful?

• What things are you certain about? How did you arrive at certainty?

• Did you like any of the characters in the film? If so, did your personal feelings for this character change in the course of the story? Why?

• How does the catholicism of Sister Aloysius inform her judgment about Father Flynn? (she does not believe in or accept doubt so she would rather jump to a conclusion and call it truth)

• How does the innocence of Sister James effect how she views Father Flynn?

• How did you feel about Mrs Millers speech?

• ”In Father Flynn we see both an acknowledgment of truth and acceptance of uncertainty” Agree?

• “Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd.” - Voltaire. Agree?

Quotes

• “We are living in an age of extreme advocacy, of confrontation, of judgment and verdict. Discussion has given way to debate. Communication has become a contest of wills. Public talking has become obnoxious and insincere. Why? It’s because deep down under the chatter, we have come to a place where we don’t know anything. But nobody’s willing to say that.” Stanley (director)

• “I have a tendency to agree with every one of my characters as they are talking. But that's my experience of life, Human beings are contradictory, paradoxical, and mysterious, and they remain that way.” - Stanley

• “It is unsettling to look at people with suspicion. I feel less close to God” - Sister James

• “When you take a step to address wrongdoing, you are taking a step away from God, but in his service. “ Sister Aloyisius

• “The truth makes for a bad sermon. It tends to be confusing and have no clear conclusion.” - Father Flynn

• “I like mine a little long” Father Flynn about his fingernails. Whats the significance?

• “We are the same” - Father Flynn

• “The beginning of wisdom is found in doubting; by doubting we come to the question, and by seeking we may come upon the truth.” Pierre Abelard