How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
A man had died. Yet the outside world went on as if nothing had happened. Could anything be more crazy? Was this martyrdom? (6.131)
What does Rodrigues expect to happen? Does he expect a lightning bolt to strike down the executioners? A plague of locusts to rain down over the countryside? Maybe at least a burning bush or something? Instead, the man's sacrifice seems to be for nothing.
Quote #5
"At least Garrpe was clean. But you... you... you are the most weak-willed. You don't deserve the name of 'father."' (7.112)
Garrpe does what Rodrigues can't: sacrifice himself for the sake of others. This shakes Rodrigues to his core, forcing him to reckon with his own failures as a priest. After all, what has he really accomplished so far?
Quote #6
A tingling sensation of joy welled up within his breast. This was the joy of the Christian who relishes the truth that he is united to the Son of God. (7.31)
Rodrigues has the right idea, but we can't help but look a bit closer at his words. Rodrigues should want to sacrifice himself out of love for the Japanese Christians he claims to serve; instead, he only craves martyrdom in order that he might feel like a savior. We're not priests ourselves, but we're pretty sure that's not the point of sacrifice.