85 pages • 2 hours read
Wu Cheng'en, Transl. Anthony C. YuThe Journey to the West: Volume I
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1592A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Character Analysis
Sun Wukong/The Stone Monkey/Handsome Monkey King/BanHorse Plague/The Great Sage, Equal to Heaven/Pilgrim
The monkey known as all these names starts out as a divine being, becomes a monster, and then a prisoner—all through his selfish pursuit of immortality and pride. He represents man, in part for his duality: He possesses both yin and yang.
The Jade Emperor
The Jade Emperor rules Heaven and represents law and order. Initially, he tries to be lenient with Wukong, but Wukong’s many wrongs against Heaven force his hand so that he must act to prevent the monkey from destroying the Heavens.
Patriarch
Patriarch is an immortal who trains the Monkey King in the Way and names him Sun Wukong. However, he’s also the one who banishes Wukong after he catches Wukong showing off. Patriarch does not want Wukong to tell anyone that Patriarch taught him the Way.
Guanyin and Hui’an/Moksa, and Lingji of Sumeru
Guanyin is a bodhisattva, which means she embodies a characteristic of Buddha; Hui’an is her assistant and a prince. Both try to help subdue Wukong when he’s rebelling against Heaven, and both offer divine intervention to Tripitaka. Lingji is another bodhisattva who offers divine intervention during Tripitaka and Wukong’s journey.
Erlang/The Little Sage
Erlang is the Jade Emperor’s nephew who fights against Wukong, finally trapping him with the help of his brothers, his dog, and Laozi. Erlang represents humility.
Tathāgata
After Wukong escapes execution, it’s Tathāgata who tricks him and finally imprisons Wukong in his own mountain. Tathāgata uses Wukong’s pride against him and traps him with his fingers. A Buddha, Tathāgata has powers that far surpass Wukong’s abilities, but Wukong still believes he is superior. As the Buddha, Tathāgata is also the ruler of the bodhisattvas.
Chen E, Wenjiao, and Liu Hong
Before he can begin his pilgrimage, Xuanzang must first avenge his parents, Chen E and Wenjiao. Chen E is attacked, and Wenjiao is raped and forced to live with the bandit, Liu Hong, who drowned Chen E. Chen E represents honor and intelligence, and Wenjiao represents self-sacrifice because she only succumbs to the outlaw in order to save her unborn child.
Xuanzang Tripitaka
The pilgrim, Xuanzang, must avenge his parents before he can begin the quest Tathāgata called for. Xuanzang journeys westward to find the holy scriptures and is tasked with helping redeem his disciples, including Wukong.
Tang Taizong
The human Emperor Taizong is of the Tang dynasty. His edict attracts Chen E to take the test for a government post. If not for that edict, Chen E would never have fathered Xuanzang. It is also through Taizong that Tripitaka’s quest is sanctioned.
Pig/Eight Rules/Idiot and Wujing/Sha Monk
Eight Rules makes the same errors of judgment as the younger Wukong and is often the catalyst that pulls Wukong off his path of redemption. Wujing symbolizes purity, as his name is derived from it.
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