How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Yes, that cowardly wretch who had trampled on the fumie at Nagasaki and fled. Were I an ordinary Christian, not a priest, would I have fled in the same way? (4.102)
We hate to drop a spoiler on y'all, but here it goes—Rodrigues does indeed trample on the fumie. The truth is that Kichijiro and Father Rodrigues are more alike than the priest would like to admit—both men are cowards at heart.
Quote #8
"Father, sometimes courage only causes trouble for other people. We call that blind courage." (5.72)
That certainly was true here, right? Every time Rodrigues tries to do something bold and courageous, he only ends up causing the suffering of innocent Japanese Christians.
Quote #9
One that night had that man, too, felt the silence of God? Had he, too, shuddered with fear? (7.136)
We're no theologians, but we're sure the answer to this is oh, heck yes. Remember: Jesus even begged God to let him to walk away from the crucifixion because it scared him so much. One thing that made Jesus unique (and a model for martyrs), though, was that he went through with what he believed what his vocation, despite his fear.