Lealyn A.

Ranes
BSED III-English
Contemporary and Popular Literature

Direction: After watching the contemporary drama/play, map the story

out using the story mountain planner below.

Doubt: A Parable
By John Patrick Shanley

EXPOSITION:
Doubt: A Parable (stage play) was written and directed by John Patrick
Stanley in the year 2008. It is about a progressive young priest that gets
questioned by a nun principal by his suspicious act towards a student. The
young priest named Father Flynn, a progressive and friendly priest in a
Catholic church. He comes under suspicions of Sister Aloysius regarding with
his relationship with an altar server, Donald Miller. Donald Miller is the first
African-American student at the Catholic Parish School headed by a nun
principal, Sister Aloysius. She always doubt Father Flynn towards his
behavior to Donald Miller. She suspected that Donald is experiencing sexual
harassment from Father Flynn. Sister Aloysius raise her suspicions to Mrs.
Miller, together with a teacher in the Parish School, Sister James, but they
both refuse to believe.

RISING ACTION:
The story/play begins with a powerful sermon of Father Flynn about doubt
and uncertainty. He argues with the idea that each individual has their own
doubt. Father Flynn even said that doubt can be a bond as powerful as
certainty. However, there is a specific scene in the play where Sister Aloysius
witness a kind of misbehaving of the students, it is when Sister James (a
teacher) did not respect her authority. Sister Aloysius enters the room and
yells at the students.

CLIMAX:
Suspicions occur when Sr. Aloysius, one day, sees that a white shirt was
placed in Donald Miller’s locker by Father Flynn. Sister James think that
because of Father Flynn and Donald’s closeness, Father Flynn is his
protector. But Sister Aloysius jump into conclusions that the two develop an
intimate relationship. Both Sisters where discussing this topic when Sister
James admitted that the altar server Donald Miller came out from Father
Flynn’s meeting with a smell of alcohol in his breath. She, Sister Aloysius
confronted Father Flynn, but Father Flynn, uncomfortably denies and tell
Sister Aloysius that he barely talk to Donald about private matters. Father
Flynn attempts to leave the room and tells Sister Aloysius to leave the matter
alone.
FALLING ACTION:
Sister James and Father Flynn discussed about the problem and why
does Father Flynn needs to return Donald’s shirt secretly. He defend himself
by telling Sister James that it was all a misunderstanding for he only wants
Donald to feel comfortable among others since and feel secure among all the
all-white people around him. Father Flynn explains that love and affection are
sometimes misinterpret.

RESOLUTION:
Sister Aloysius and Donald’s mother meet to discuss the suspicions. They
talk and Sister Aloysius reveals that she was previously married. After some
discussions, Mrs. Miller told Sister Aloysius that Donald will be beaten up by
his father if this will be revealed. She also said that it is better is there is a
possible affection between the two than being bullied by his peers. Mrs. Miller
asks Sister to just ignore the issue and let Donald stay until June. Later that
day, Father Flynn said that he will have Sister Aloysius removed from her
position at the school. When Father Flynn’s writing for the principal’s
dismissal, Sister Aloysius explains that she talked to a nun rather than to a
pastor where she had been informed about his past relationships with the
children. Father Flynn gets really angry and told her that she has disobeyed
the church’s vow. The following Sunday, announces his resignation during his
sermon. Sister Aloysius reflected that this resignation of Father Flynn was his
confession and that admitted then that she has many doubts.
Lealyn A. Ranes
BSED III-English
Contemporary and Popular Literature

Direction: Write a reaction paper about the issues and challenges in

contemporary literature and explain the development or changes in the
genres in contemporary literature.

Contemporary Literature reflects the society’s current events, issues

and points in both social and political aspect, and mirrors various of
challenging circumstances in a specific body of group which, therefore, made
a major role in the world of literature. Literature is very responsive in the world
we live in. It is capable on adapting in our society and adjusting with the new
forms and means of writing in this new generation. Change is the only
permanent in this world, therefore, even contemporary literature needs to
adapt with its new environment. And when these change occurs, challenge is
also present.

Contemporary literature, itself, is experiencing a lot of issues and

challenges in the alteration of processes that are interrelated to literature. One
of these challenges is having or considering several languages that circulate
in a specific society. Polyglot could be a hindrance for a specific literature to
be understood and interpreted by individuals. Another one, It is, somewhat,
miserable to recognize that the intellectual system of contemporary literature
is slowly failing. The roots of a particular literature is its intellectual meaning, it
is how a single literature was written. Knowing these kind of challenge in
contemporary literature is concerning. I also wanted to highlight the use of
technology in contemporary literature. I am confused of how should I react
with this issue for it has its benefits and disadvantages.Technology is now in
demand during this era of new normal. Most of the people use this as means
of communication for work, school, or simply for reading articles, news etc. It
helps to easily catch up what’s new in the society and in terms of literature, it
is now easy to access online books which are usually in the form of PDF file.
By just one click, an individual can read whatever he/she was curious of.
Traditional publication has transformed into a modern one, where people
could possibly access different forms of literature cost-free. Technology has
made is easy for people to read anything they want.

Nevertheless, the challenges that contemporary literature has

surpassed over the decades are really fascinating. This resembles that
literature can adapt to its environment. We must consider overcoming these
challenges for the improvement of contemporary literature.