The reason Sister Aloysius presumes Father Flynn of wrongdoing was due to a report she received from Donald's teacher, Sister James. Sister James informs that she noticed, "the smell of alcohol," under the boy's breath after returning from Father Flynn's office. Sister Aloysius was then firmly convinced that the reason for Donald's alcohol breath was because Father Flynn intoxicated the boy with alter wine in order to sexually take advantage of Donald in his office. Shanley demonstrates that Sister Aloysius' character shows some credibility because of her high authority and because of a similar situation she had with an old pastor that raises suspicion upon Father Flynn's character. She exclaims to Father Flynn, "I have my certainty! And armed with that, I will go to your last parish, and the one before that if necessary. I'll find a parent." She threatens Father Flynn with this statement and demonstrates that there is no need for evidence because of her certainty. Sister Aloysius does not doubt herself with the inappropriate relationship she accuses him of which furthermore highlights the central theme. Shanley provides his audience with a spectrum of incidences that allows his viewers to question the reliability of both characters. .
In contrast, Shanley portrays Father Flynn as a more welcoming character than Sister Aloysius due to his easy-going personality and his appeal to pathos that consequently makes it more convincing for the audience to be persuaded towards Father Flynn's case. Unlike Sister Aloysius who is depicted as a harsh principal, Father Flynn is seen to hold genuine friendships with many of the students. In his defense towards Sister Aloysius's allegation, he states, "That black boy needs a helping hand or he's not going to make it hereWhy do you think he was in the sacristy drinking wine that day? He's in trouble! She sees me talk in a human way to these children and she immediately assumes there must be something wrong with it.
