Novel: Silence

Introduction
"Silence" is a historic fiction book written in 1966 by Japanese author Shusaku Endo. It tells the story of two 17th-century Jesuit priests from Portugal who take a trip to Japan to find their missing out on coach and spread Christianity, however rather find themselves dealing with persecution and abuse. The unique explores styles of faith, doubt, sacrifice, and the silence of God in the middle of suffering.

Plot Summary
The story is set in the 1640s when Christianity is prohibited in Japan, and practicing Christians are violently persecuted. The lead character, Father Rodrigues, together with fellow priest Father Garrpe, choose to embark on a harmful mission to discover their coach, Father Ferreira. Ferreira was stationed in Japan to spread Christianity but allegedly has apostatized after being tortured by Japanese officials.

Rodrigues and Garrpe covertly show up in Japan and are frightened by the brutal persecution of Japanese Christians practiced by the ruling Shogunate. They witness abuse, death, and the trading of faith for survival as an act of empathy. The priests enter into concealing with the aid of regional villagers but are eventually recorded.

Rodrigues comes face to face with the smart yet terrible inquisitor, Inoue, who informs him that Ferreira has undoubtedly renounced his faith and now lives as a Japanese person, composing books against Christianity. Rodrigues is ravaged by this news but holds onto his faith, even as he sustains the torture of witnessing Japanese Christians being executed and tortured since of their faith.

Battles with Faith
Throughout the unique, Rodrigues battles with his faith as he observes the suffering of his fellow Christians in Japan. He grapples with concerns about the nature of God and His function in the face of human suffering. He deals with temptation and doubt, as it becomes significantly hard to preserve his belief in a caring God who remains silent in the middle of the cruelty and violence against followers.

Rodrigues' internal conflict is further heightened when he is faced with the truth that his own existence in Japan has actually just made the circumstance of the local Christians even worse. He is a focus for persecution and is ultimately accountable for indirectly triggering the deaths and suffering of those he came to save.

The Test of Faith
Rodrigues is eventually placed in the same position as Ferreira, forced to renounce his faith openly or enable others to suffer. In this climactic scene, Rodrigues hears the suffering of 5 Christians who are being tortured, and they will be released only if he apostatizes. In his misery, he lastly hears the voice of Christ, telling him to run over on the fumie (a spiritual image) to release the Christians from their suffering.

Rodrigues squashes on the fumie, efficiently renouncing his faith publicly, and is mentally tormented by his choice. He harps on the principle of the distinction between a public action and internal belief, realizing that although he was required to betray God outwardly, his heart stays loyal.

Conclusion
Like Ferreira, Rodrigues is allowed to reside in Japan as a person, taking on a Japanese name, and offered a Japanese partner. He works as a translator for the government, actively assisting to recognize and seize Christian artifacts. Despite his apostasy, Rodrigues continues to be tormented by his faith and God's silence in the face of suffering.

The novel ends with Rodrigues' death, revealing that he covertly kept a crucifix. This suggests that, despite his seemingly unfaithful actions, he stayed loyal to God in his heart. "Silence" functions as an effective exploration of faith, doubt, and the intricacies of human nature in the face of tremendous suffering and hardship.