The Monkey
This historical and Chinese novel Journey to the West, which is also known as
the Monkey, is the most popular book in East Asia. Originally written by Wu
Ch’eng-en in the sixteenth century, which consisted of one hundred chapters but
was traditionally cut-down to various lengths to suit different audiences. Then
was translated into the words of David Kherdian who wrote the book that was
chosen for our class. David Kherdian only based the Monkey on two complete
translations, which takes a more traditional approach, including many more of
the original episodes, in an abbreviated form. Monkey who is the main character
is sent on a journey where he encounters lots of problems but through this time
he makes many friends and faces many enemies.
The characters that Monkey must face represent universal qualities of human
nature. Husuantsang represents “everyman” the ordinary nature of all human
beings. Pigsy symbolizes uncontrollable sensuality and pure appetite while also
representing energy when needed on the spiritual path and Sandy who Chinese
commentators identify with the qualities of sincerity or whole heartiness.
These are Monkeys companions in the Journey to the West. Then there is Monkey
who has the “monkey mind” which must be tamed by discipline before the
spiritual journey can begin. Monkey and his companions face many demons and
monsters along the way can be seen as projections of the mind. Monkey is set
forth on the spiritual path.
Monkey than goes on to search for his immortality than is lead to getting
weapons where he turns the weapons into a hatpin which helps lead him to his
immortality. Throughout the novel. Keeps trying to find the Western paradise he
faces many obstacles he ends up going back where he started and try for a
second time. Where the second time he than he succeeds in the Journey to the
West and has faced many obstacles in trying to get there. They than arrive to
the Western Paradise where the pilgrims went back to China and Tripitaka
brought his disciples to the emperor who than treated them as servants. When
the emperor had the Grand Ceremony the true scriptures were read for the first
time with the result that the lost souls were saved from darkness and true
teaching was promulgated throughout the empire.