Doubt: A Parable

Throughout the play, Donald’s race shapes the way the characters view and interact with him. What is the overall role of race in the play? Why is it significant that Donald is Black? How does Donald’s race make him uniquely vulnerable?

Teaching Suggestion: Before beginning, consider discussing the historical period in which the play is set, at least within the larger context of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. If you have already discussed this in class, you could ask students to apply what they have learned in their analysis of the play. To increase student engagement, you might also encourage students to share their experiences of how race has played a role in their lives.

Differentiation Suggestion: For students who would benefit from assistance in initially grounding their analysis, consider providing a list of quotes from the text or a timeline of key dates in the Civil Rights Movement. Advanced students and those who would benefit from an additional challenge may appreciate the opportunity to compare and contrast the role of race in Shanley’s Doubt to another relevant short or full-length text: This page from the University of Central Florida includes a list of books, videos, and plays that may pair well with this Discussion/Analysis Prompt.