Maintaining Faith Through Disavowal: "Agnes of God" and "Doubt"

• In Event: Theatre Division Top Papers

Abstract

Both John Patrick Shanley’s "Doubt" and John Pielmeier’s "Agnes of God" serve as a reflection of their authors’ perceptions of a dissatisfying and inadequate church and faith, yet they also provide indications of society’s inability to completely disavow the relevance and truth inherent in faith. This paper will examine the way Christianity is viewed in the theatre – particularly focusing on Catholicism. By comparing and contrasting these two plays and their playwrights’ personal experiences, the paper will discuss not only the social influences that stimulated the writing, but also the way that the plays themselves influence social thought relating to the church.

Author

• Candace Joice