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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Sister Aloysius say the founder of their order did before taking vows?

2. How does Sister Aloysius react to Father Flynn's reason for meeting privately with Donald Muller?

3. What did Mr. McGinn forget to do after pruning the rosebush?

4. Father Flynn tells the boys that people won't think they look silly when they do what?

5. When speaking about doubt in Scene 1, what does Father Flynn say is worse than a society sharing a sense of despair?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Scene 2, what does Sister Aloysius refer to when she says that every easy choice today has a consequence tomorrow?

2. According to Father Flynn, how did President Kennedy's death bring people together?

3. Why does Father Flynn say it is dangerous to think at the foul line?

4. Why does Sister Aloysius think the song Frosty the Snowman is heretical?

5. Why does Sister Aloysius want to see Sister James become more self-confident?

6. Why is Sister Aloysius anxious at the beginning of Scene 5?

7. In Scene 4, why is Sister Aloysius trying to protect the rosebush from frost even though there hasn't been any frost?

8. Why is Sister Aloysius' work with the rosebush similar to her work at the school?

9. What differs in Sister Aloysius' story about Sister Veronica tripping over the fallen limb that she tells Mr. McGinn versus what she tells Father Flynn?

10. How do we know that this play is set in 1964?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are so many ways in which doubt is raised throughout the course of the play. In Scene 5, we see a confrontation between Father Flynn and Sister Aloysius, and by the end the audience is left wondering if the battle is more personal than professional. What is your opinion on the confrontation? Is Sister Aloysius simply out to get Father Flynn because of personal differences, or is she truly concerned about his professional role with the students and their well-being? Provide examples to support your opinion.

Essay Topic 2

The nature of the church's teachings play a role in this play even though they are never overtly discussed. Father Flynn's and Sister James' views on how students ought to be taught vary considerably from Sister Aloysius' views. Write an essay discussing how each of the teachers feel about the way students should be treated, how the rules should be followed, and whether or not the secular world should be included.

Essay Topic 3

Doubt: A Parable contains several instances of symbolism, such as Father Flynn's fingernails, the crows harassing Father Flynn, the pruning of the rosebush, etc. Choose two symbols from the play. Discuss what each of them represents and provide evidence from the play.

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