Shusaku Endo

Silence
 Silence

What does the phrase

lost in translation mean?

English IV IB Mr. Nigro Part 1: Works in Translation

 Silence
Class 1: Background
Class 2: Chapters 1 & 2
Class 3: Chapters 3 & 4
Class 4: Chapters 5 & 6
Class 5: Chapters 7 & 8
Class 6: Chapters 9 & 10
Unit
Class 7: Review Overview
Class 8: Interactive Orals
Class 9: Supervised Writing
Class 10: Test
Read/Review the Translators Preface
& the Prologue (vii - 12)
Research your assigned topic

English IV IB Mr. Nigro Part 1: Works in Translation

 Silence
1. Jesuits in Japan
2. Nanban trade
3. Shimabara Rebellion
4. Sakoku (Seclusion Laws)
5. Kakure Kirishitan
6. Shusaku Endo

English IV IB Mr. Nigro Part 1: Works in Translation

 Silence

!
1543 - the first Portuguese missionaries
1549 - Francis Xavier & the Jesuits
1579 - Alessandro Valignano
1597 - Hideyoshi & the 26 crucifixions
1614 - the edict of expulsion
1632 - Christovao Ferreira apostasizes
1637 - the Portuguese leave Japan
Silence dramatizes the aftermath

a letter from Christovao Ferreira...

a plan to secretly enter Japan...
bad news in Macao...
Prologue

English IV IB Mr. Nigro Part 1: Works in Translation

 Silence
Why does Endo use three narrative techniques to tell his story?
How are the three priests characterized? Cite textual evidence.
What is suggestive about the character of Kichijiro?
Key text: In the night of Macao... (21-22; five paragraphs)
What is your assessment of Rodrigues by the end of Chapter 2?
What is your assessment of the Christian community?
Key text: Beside the ships baggage... (24-25; six paragraphs)

Ch. 1-2

English IV IB Mr. Nigro Part 1: Works in Translation

 Silence
Piero della Francesca
Resurrection of Christ,
Museo Civico, Sansepolcro
1467

English IV IB Mr. Nigro Part 1: Works in Translation

 Silence
How are the priests attitudes Ch. 3-4
affected by their environment and
living conditions in Tomogi?
When the unexpected visitors
arrive at the door, the priests
disagree. Who is right? Why?
How does Rodrigues view
Kichijiro now? What do you think?
Key text: The next event... (38)

How do you view the reasoning behind the separating of the

priests under the threat of persecution?
Could it be said that Rodrigues is in some sort of denial about the
situation he is facing? If so, why?
Key texts: I suppose... (55); I have heard... (61, two paragraphs);
In the afternoon... (67-69, seven paragraphs)
English IV IB Mr. Nigro Part 1: Works in Translation
 Silence
What do you think about the decision by
Rodrigues not to apostatize?
How much is Kichijiro responsible for
this situation?
Is the new point of view 3rd person
limited or omniscient? What is Endos
intent? Is it effective? How?
Key text: Since he had no rosary... (86)
Where does Rodrigues find comfort
while in the prison? Explain how this is Ch. 5-6
possible.
What does Rodrigues learn about
martyrdom?
Key text: Only the old man... (109, five
paragraphs)

English IV IB Mr. Nigro Part 1: Works in Translation

 Silence
What is your assessment of Inoue?
Why does Rodrigues desire others to
save themselves by apostatizing, but
resists doing so himself?
What lies at the heart of Rodrigues
disagreement with Ferreira?
Key text: They did not
believe... (149-150, seven paragraphs)
Why has Kichijiro continued to follow
Rodrigues all this time?
What is it that finally leads Rodrigues to
trample the fumie? Is this an act of
courage or weakness? What point is
Endo making here? Ch. 7-8
Key text: Ah! (165-166, seven
paragraphs)
English IV IB Mr. Nigro Part 1: Works in Translation
 Silence
Why is there still emotional distance
between Ferreira and Rodrigues?
How has trampling the fumie changed
Rodrigues, if at all?
Do you feel somewhat mentally
exhausted at this point in the novel?
Key text: The remembrance... (175-
176, two paragraphs)
Why does Endo alter the narrative
structure in Chapter 10? What is the
effect for the reader?
What is your final assessment of
Kichijiro?
Key text: Father... (187, five paragraphs) Ch. 9-10

English IV IB Mr. Nigro Part 1: Works in Translation

 Silence
In groups of your choosing (or
So, are you suggesting that a book written by a
Japanese writer who majored in French Literature
about a Portuguese Catholic priest who lived 400 years
ago is difficult to understand? Really? Its translated

alone, if you prefer), discuss the into English, for Heavens sake!

questions on the handout and

make notes on the various
positions taken by others, and
write your responses to them. Review
Consider opposing views and
evaluate their merit; this will be
good preparation for your test.
!
(Shh.... Please keep your voices
down. Mr. Endo is studying for
his Interactive Oral, and he has
misplaced his glasses.)

English IV IB Mr. Nigro Part 1: Works in Translation

 Shusaku Endo
Silence

Interactive Oral
 Shusaku Endo
Silence

Supervised Writing
 Silence
Discuss the idea of place in
Silence: Macau, the hut, the
prison, the cell, etc. What does
Rodrigues learn in these places? How does
the place itself contribute to that knowledge?
Explore one of the major themes of Silence.
Choose and write about a symbol, image, or
Supervised Writing
motif that plays an important role in your (Choose 1 of 4)
ultimate conclusions about the meaning of
the novel.
Endo says, Christianity, to be effective in
Japan, must change. How well has he
articulated this idea in Silence? Note: Your
answer should focus on the argument as
presented in the book and the techniques
Endo uses--not necessarily on your personal
opinions concerning this statement.
English IV IB Mr. Nigro Part 1: Works in Translation