"Silence" raises several theological points, but the two that stuck with me the most were the following: how can God remain silent despite the suffering of his people (a question no less relevant with the events going on in the world today), and secondly, is it possible that Christianity cannot "grow roots" in the "swamp" that is Japan. A Catholic himself, it is obvious that Endo has struggled over these questions himself, searching for answers. Is it possible to betray your faith but stay true to your God? Endo's frank look at questions like this is part of his universal success. It is amazing to consider that this book was a huge seller in Endo's native Japan, which itself is barely 1% Christian.
"Father, you were not defeated by me," Inoue says to Rodrigues. "You were defeated by this swamp of Japan." "No, no ... my struggle was with Christianity in my own heart" Rodrigues replies. Ultimately, Christian or non-Christian, no matter your age or nationality, faith comes down to these battles in the heart. Endo does a magnificent job depicting this, and Silence is an outstanding book because of it.
The protagonist is a Portuguese priest named Sebastian Rodrigues. He learns of his mentor, Padre Ferreira, who after years of mission work denied Christ under torture. This is after Ferreira wrote glowing letters about Japanese Christians who had held fast to their faith under such persecution and torture. Rodrigues traveled to Japan to learn if these rumors are true (as the letters from Ferreira stopped) and if Ferreira really did apostatize. As one of the only priests in Japan, Rodrigues has to sneak into the country and immediately go into hiding, all the while performing his priestly duties to a Christian brotherhood that has not had contact with clergy in years. Knowing only his companion, Rodrigues has no idea where to look for Ferreira. His time in Japan is spent in persecution and in hiding.
This novel is a study in the path from strong faith to doubt and how religious persecution affects faith. While the novel is not exactly cheerful and the ending is not uplifting as one might expect with a novel with this topic (the usual expectation would be some sort of redemption in the end), this is a very well written novel, even in translation. Excellent work by Mr. Endo.
A harrowing journey of the soul ensues as we are placed in a moral quandary that tests the core of our faith. This is not a conventional tale of heroic missionaries. Simple peasants are put to horrific deaths as their savvy tormentors taunt priests with; "you claim Christ died for them, but it is they who die for you". Can evangelization and service ever be unjust?
Endo's story raises troubling questions in a manner not available to theologians or apologists. One of which is God's silence in the face of intense suffering. When faced with doubt whose voice do we hear? Where does true communion begin and psychological projection end? This emotional novel offers rich meditations but no easy answers.
His lively prose contains strong character development along with a heart-wrenching history lesson. Disturbing and graphic imagery is used, as are recurring symbols regarding; the Japanese "swamp", the face of Christ, and the role of Judas. Given the current crisis bestting the Church, this latter theme is especially instructive .
As Father Rodrigues sets out, the Saviour's face is "strong and vigorous". During his mission the appearance of Christ gradually changes. Confronted with trampling the sacred image of Madonna and Child so as to escape martyrdom, it is the true face of Christ that looks back at the tortured priest.
In presenting us with this face of Jesus, Shusako Endo's internationally acclaimed masterpiece rises to the level of a sacrament for all who willingly receive it.