Silence

**Psychoanalytical criticism on Father Rodrigues**
Psychoanalytical criticism is based on the theory that any human behavior and/or psychological state can be related to the general, universal tendency of humans to act a certain way. Father Rodrigues, the main character and focus of the story whose perspective from which the story is relayed (as first-person perspective) for the most part of the novel, is pretty messed up in the mind. His characterization is gradually developed until an image of him as bound by a serious case of god-complex is clearly depicted for the reader. As a priest, it is natural to think of God as he goes through trials and hardships. However, the way Father Rodrigues thinks of Jesus and His life on earth begins to consist mainly, and soon enough, only, of comparisons to his own experiences. This reveals his actual innermost thought that is the basis for his psychology: that he, himself, is god and therefore needs to achieve glory and recognition for being who he is. He makes connections between his situation and that of Jesus in numerous instances, including Kichijiro’s betrayal to when Judas betrayed Jesus. When Father Rodrigues couldn’t help his bitter feelings toward Kichijiro for what he had done, he often thought of how Jesus treated Judas afterwards and followed his example, yet it is a misunderstanding that he merely uses to justify his inability to forgive and bestow complete mercy and grace like Jesus does. This is the case of his failure, although he is either completely unaware of his shortcomings, or simply does not want to take notice of them, thereby being in a mental state of denial. He also frequently pictures the face of Jesus, as his beloved one. The imagery of Jesus is quite like his own face in some ways-- this is the way he unconsciously comes to imagine Him, based on his underlying self-to-god misperception. Also, when he is just about to step on the fumie, as he looks down on the face of Christ that he is about to step on, he takes in the view as Jesus telling him to go ahead, step on it, and apostatize because that’s what He wants him to do. Which is quite nonsense, as any third-person onlooker might determine. And so are the ways Father Rodrigues consistently rationalizes his misdeeds and whatnot.