The Symbolism of Nature, Biblical Lessons, and Tests of Faith in Silence Anonymous College

The Symbolism of Nature, Biblical Lessons, and Tests of Faith in Silence

Shusaku Endo’s novel Silence has confounded and conflicted critics ever since it came out, due to the challenging combination of simple writing, rich symbolism, and challenging themes. Much has been made of the silence of God, or the lack thereof, on which the central emotional and spiritual conflict of the novel centers. However, the profound effect of the motif of silence in the novel is greatly enhanced by the other literary factors which surround it, including the multitude of symbols. Little has been written of the symbolism of nature in Silence, though it is extremely prevalent within the text. In Silence, Endo uses the symbolism of Japan’s natural landscape to enhance the quality of silence and to tie various elements of it to the Gospels, especially the parables, giving an added layer of depth and significance to the theological conflict of the story.

There are a few particular elements of nature which are referenced frequently in the novel: the sea, the storms, the references to Japan as a swamp, and Christianity as a “seed” or other kind of plant. Firstly, let us discuss the sea. The sea takes on many roles within the story, and seems almost...