The fact that he is kept under guard and not allowed to travel signals that even the Japanese believe he has not truly renounced his faith, although he is good to use as an example to others. It is also announced that he is writing a book denouncing Christianity. He has been given a house, a Japanese name, and a wife, whether he wants one or not. Rodrigues is at last brought to see Ferreira who indeed did apostatize and is now essentially a prisoner of the government. He realizes Christ is with him and has suffered as much as he can. Instead, he begins to see Christ heading to the cross or crying tears of blood as he too felt abandoned. He is routinely “interrogated” but only in the sense that they try to show him how his faith is either false or at least not one that will work in Japan. Rodrigues’ faith, far from wavering, becomes stronger through this whole ordeal. Garrpe is now a martyr, but so are three others he could have saved. Rodrigues continues to silently encourage Garrpe to do this as all are put out to sea and drowned. “‘Apostatize! Apostatize!’ He shouted out the words in his heart to Garrpe who was listening to the officials” (143). Endo has changed the martyr narrative from one of giving your life for your faith to sacrificing others for your faith. Rodrigues is told that Garrpe can save the others if he renounces his faith. They are wrapped up so they cannot move and will be dropped into the sea. Much of his time is spent in a prison where he is allowed to offer support to other Christians in jail, but all the time he is wondering when he will be taken to the “pit,” a gruesome torture that is said to have causes Ferreira to renounce his faith.Īt one point Rodrigues is taken to a location where he sees Garrpe and other Christians being readied to be taken out to sea and drowned. We follow Rodrigues as he travels a short time before being captured. Once their beloved teacher, Ferreira is believed to have committed apostasy and the priests want to find him and serve the persecuted Christians of Japan.įor a while, the two priests hide together in a hut but eventually are taken to an island and opt to split up so they have a better chance to succeed in their mission. We follow the story, partly by letters, of a Portuguese Jesuit priest, Sebastiao Rodrigues (based on the real-life Giuseppe di Chiara) who travels with another priest (Franciso Garrpe) in search of Father Ferreira. The story is set in 17th century Japan and the persecution of the Kakure Kirishitan (Hidden Christians). Shusaku Endo uses this concept as the basis for Silence, an outstanding novel that will make any Christian uncomfortable and let non-Christians in on the depth of faith for most believers. The martyrs are those who face death instead of renouncing their faith, showing their belief in God’s word and promise of resurrection. Stephen (although the Holy Innocents are often called saints even though they knew not why there were being killed). Catholics make the martyrs saints, starting with the very first saint, St. We Christians, like many of different faiths, love to play the martyr. Note: This review contains spoilers since the ending is an important part of understanding the novel.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |