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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. According to Father Flynn in Scene 7, to what do the most innocent actions seem sinister?

2. Sister James tells Father Flynn that Sister Aloysius is determined to do what?

3. In Scene 8, what does Sister Aloysius say will happen to Father Flynn after she exposes him?

4. What is Mrs. Muller's response when Sister Aloysius says Father Flynn is after the boys?

5. What is Sister Aloysius' response to Sister James' revelation about Donald Muller's feelings after Father Flynn leaves the school?

Short Essay Questions

1. What shocks Sister James about Sister Aloysius' call to Father Flynn's prior parish?

2. When Father Flynn comes to Sister Aloysius' office in the second part of Scene 8, why does she tell him he can't come in?

3. What causes the woman in Father Flynn's sermon to feel guilty about gossiping?

4. In the second part of Scene 8, what does Father Flynn say is the real reason Sister Aloysius is after him?

5. In Scene 7, what does Sister James say Sister Aloysius has done to take away her joy in teaching?

6. How is the sermon Father Flynn preaches in Scene 6 symbolic?

7. What does Mrs. Muller say is the real reason Mr. Muller beat Donald?

8. What reason does Mrs. Muller give Sister Aloysius for Donald drinking the altar wine?

9. In Scene 9, what reason does Sister James give Sister Aloysius for being unable to sleep?

10. What about the crow in Scene 7 reminds the audience of Sister Aloysius?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sister Aloysius is both the protagonist and antagonist of the play. Write an essay discussing how she fits both of these roles. Provide examples from the play.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

What do Father Flynn's long fingernails tells us about him? What do they represent? How does Sister Aloysius feel about his fingernails? Why are Father Flynn's long fingernails significant?

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