Chapter One Summary

Silence is the story of the Japanese persecution of Christians that occurred in the 1600s. More specifically Endo traces the life of Sebastian Rodrigues, a Portuguese missionary from the Society of Jesus, as he tries to survive as a Christian priest working in Japan.

Chapter one is a copy of a letter written by Sebastian Rodrigues. Rodrigues begins by briefly telling of the long journey from Portugal to Macao and the hardships the three priests faced. Santa Marta has become ill and is now unable to assist Rodrigues and Garrpe with work at the missionary college. Rodrigues continues to try to persuade Valignano to allow them to continue their journey to Japan, despite the rough seas and increased hostility of English, Dutch, and Japanese ships. Valignano finally gives in to the priest's request. Preparations begin to secure passage from Macao to...