Doubt

Sister Aloysius: Sister James...

Sister James: What is it, Sister?

Sister Aloysius: [crying] I have doubts. I have such doubts.

These are the last lines in the movie Doubt. They resonated with me, because it was interesting watching the Meryl Streep character admit that she lied in order to get the outcome she wanted. In her mind, there was no doubt that the Priest she worked under was guilty of a crime against one of her students; however, she had no proof and was not helped either by the student or the student's mother. She lied in order to put the Priest in a position where his answer to her inquiries would seal his fate. Once she had her answer, she was plagued by guilt because she lied and broke a commandment and one of her vows, with the end result that, instead of being punished, the Priest was actually commended and promoted to an even greater position of power.

Did the ends justify the means of Sister Aloysius?  Although she is a stern, almost humorless disciplinarian in the movie, I think deep down she really cares about her students and does not wish them harm.  Unfortunately, she lets her religious views remain rigid and unbending and it clouds her judgment.  She does not like the head Priest because he represents the modern world and a more personal clergy; and she is frightened of the changes that he represents.  Although she has him removed from her school and protects her student from the alleged abuse, has she, in effect, made the situation worse because now the Priest is promoted to an even bigger church and even bigger school.  She will not be there to protect those students.

In this instance, the means did not justify the ends.  Sister Aloysius plunges into severe doubt because her sin of lying did not end up punishing the Priest and removing him from similar situations.  The movie ends with no real resolution to the issue, which is true to life.  You are free to imagine what will happen to the characters.  There is no doubt that this is an excellent film and very deserving of the accolades it has received.  If Meryl Streep does not win her third Oscar, there is no justice in the world.