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,...
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