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,...
These people are both victims in their own way, and they are victims of their own (and others) uncertainties. If there is a lesson for the reader, it is to know that nothing is absolutely certain, and that they should question everything, no matter what they believe or who certain they are of the conclusion. Sister Aloysius should be a lesson to everyone, because she is cynical, suspicious, and accusing, certainly not the most Christian of traits. If you allow yourself to become like the sister, you could become as distrustful as she is, and you might also have to continually question your own motives, as well. Ultimately, the sister has doubts, and O'Brien thinks he is a coward. Neither one is happy, and neither one has benefited from their uncertainties. The reader can benefit by learning not to take everything at face value. The war in Vietnam was unpopular and disliked, but that does not mean that running away to Canada is the only choice. Farther Flynn was a Catholic priest, but not all of them molest little boys. The reader needs to learn to question what they know and what they believe, and to understand there will always be uncertainties; they are a part of life that we cannot ignore.
References
O'Brien, Tim. "On the Rainy River." Anthology of American Literature
Shanley, John Patrick. Doubt: A Parable. New York: Theatre Communications Group, 2005.
