The Difficult Passages from Tradition to Modernity in the Movie Doubt
The Difficult Passages from Tradition to Modernity in the Movie Doubt

Summary/Abstract: The movie Doubt, picturing a catholic school in New York City in the year 1964, presents the dichotomy between old and new, with the two main characters being the archetypes of the rigid tradition on the one hand, represented by Sister Aloysius, and on the other hand the symbol of the liberal, modern future, embodied by Father Flynn. These two very strong characters clash many times through the entire length of the movie, making us question the truth behind their actions. Another theme of the movie is the changing times, symbolized by the omnipresence of a strong and furious wind, which is itself an important character. The wind follows us in every stage of the story, underlining the most important moments. Finally, there is the circle of doubt, which is present from the initial sermon of Father Flynn, culminating with the final scene of Sister Aloysius overcome with grief and uncertainty regarding her actions. The feelings of doubt form a full circle, starting with suspicion, then escalating to the climax of doubt transformed into belief, and ending with the most heart-breaking collapse of Sister Aloysius’s certainty into the ever-present feeling of doubt which has followed us all the way through the story and which symbolizes the weaknesses of tradition and rigidity. But in the confrontation between tradition and modernity, it is always the progress that wins. Development and progress are irrepressible, and therefore they will always triumph.

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