Characters

Father Brendan Flynn, Sister Aloysius Beauvier, Sister James, Mrs. Muller (son Donald)

Conflict

Person-against-self - an internal conflict of feelings.

Person-against-person - the typical protagonist vs. antagonist scenario.

Person-against-society - the protagonist battles against the larger organizations of society
(or a system of beliefs held by society).

Person-against-nature - the protagonist is threatened by a component of nature.

Themes/Motifs/Symbols

Doubt vs. Certainty

Child Abuse in the Church

1960s Setting (modern growth, upheaval and revolution)

Loss of Innocence

Faith, truthfulness, reason, sensibility

Determination to do what's right at any cost.

Liberal vs. Conservative attitudes in Teaching & The Church