In comparison, O'Brien's uncertainty in "On the Rainy River" comes from the uncertainly of standing at a crossroads and not being able to decide which way to turn. His uncertainty is based partly on the uncertainly of life that Shanley, chronicles in his play, but they are also based on his own uncertainty about fighting a war he "hates" and cannot come to terms with or support. O'Brien writes, "Certain blood was being shed for uncertain reasons. I saw no unity of purpose, no consensus on matters of philosophy or history or law" (O'Brien). O'Brien sees no purpose, while Sister Aloysius is totally convinced of her purpose and her position, so much so that she may have charged an innocent man. O'Brien is the innocent man, caught in a place where no matter what choice he makes, it will have terrific ramifications, and so, he is uncertain about his life, his own convictions, and how to make the right choice for himself.
In the end, O'Brien's uncertainty is far more heart breaking, because his uncertainty does not lead him to strong convictions as it does for Sister Aloysius. He thinks he is a coward because he has not stood up against the war and his life in the states. Perhaps he is. At least the sister had the courage to stand up and speak out, even if she was wrong. O'Brien does not, and so he gives in and goes to fight a war he does not understand or approve of in any way. He gives in to society and social pressure, just as Father Flynn does. In a sense, they are both victims of something larger than they are - conviction,...
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