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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What do the children throw at his window?

2. What is the season in Japan at the beginning of this chapter?

3. Chapter 5 marks the end of _________________.

4. Where do the guards put the elderly man's body?

5. Who does Ferreira say would also have apostacized in the same situation?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to the elderly man in Chapter 6?

2. How does the interpreter treat Rodrigues now that he is employed by the magistrate?

3. What does the samurai say has happened to Ferreira?

4. What does Rodrigues think when Kichijiro brings him rice?

5. What is Yokose-no-Ura?

6. How does Rodrigues react to the sound of his jailer snoring?

7. Describe the reappearance of Kichijiro in Chapter 6.

8. What do Ferreria and Rodrigues talk about in Chapter 7?

9. How can Rodriguez's actions in Chapter 5 be deemed as wrong?

10. How does Rodrigues find comfort even in his dire situation?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look at the structure of the novel.

1) How does Endo use character and dialogue to drive the narrative?

2) Discuss elements of the narrative structure: exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the novel's themes?

3) Aside from the main character, Rodrigues, examine the way Endo uses the other characters in the story. When does he introduce and take them away from the story? What effect does it have on the story?

Essay Topic 2

Silence is described as historical fiction and therefore the reader would expect aspects of the novel to be historically accurate. What parts of the novel do you think have to be accurate? In what parts does Endo need to exaggerate the truth and why? Can such a book ever be regarded as an accurate historical account?

Essay Topic 3

Why did Ferreira give up on his missionary work? How different is Ferriera's life now that he is working for the Japanese? What is Ferreira's goal now that he is captured? How is it possible for him to achieve this goal?

(see the answer keys)

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