The Weak Shall Be Saved
Silence (Library Edition)The theme of God's mercy towards the weak and cowardly.
increasing
Bearing strength in each event
decreasing
Bearing strength in each eventdecreasingKichijiro's Plea
Kichijiro's Plea
The Weak Man's Lament
Kichijiro repeatedly bewailed his weakness. He could not be strong like Mokichi. He felt abandoned by God.
Rodrigues' Absolution
Rodrigues, despite his disgust, continued to absolve him. He came to understand that the weak also suffer.
Significance
Rodrigues' Own Weakness
Rodrigues' Own Weakness
Acknowledgment
Rodrigues admitted he was no different from Kichijiro. He was a weak man performing an act of love.
The Final Confession
He heard Kichijiro's confession as a priest, even though he was apostate. He believed Christ accepted him.
Significance
Throughout the story
After apostasy, 1638
