Wu
Cheng’en, “The Journey to the West” (421-436)
Character:
1) Monkey
(Su Wukong)
·
Born from a stone egg: “One day, it
split open, giving birth to a stone egg about the size of a playing ball.
Exposed to the wind, it was transformed into a stone monkey endowed with fully
developed features and limbs” (424).
·
Considered genius: he learns to run and
climb right away. Bowed towards the four quarters. He even angered The Celestial Jade
Emperor because his eyes flashed a beam of light that could even reach “the
Palace of the Polestar”.
·
Has no Surname but later obtains one.
·
He was eager to become King without
thought when it came to doing something that would lead to him being honored as
a King.
·
Leads the monkeys into an odd home he
found when he jumped through a waterfall. It is meant to live in.
·
Brave, wants leadership, seems to be arrogant
in nature, wants to be the best of the best, Curious, adventurous, Stubborn
when it comes to getting what he wants.
·
A bonehead according to one man: “What a
boneheaded fellow you are” (433). The
monkey wanted the woodcutter to come with him and did not listen to the fact
that the man had obligations. Therefore, he does not understand nor does he
seem to be a good listener.
·
Seeks immortality.
2) Normal
other Monkey’s
·
Simply frolicked and played
·
Born and learns normally compared to
Stone Monkey
·
Obedient
·
Maybe less intelligent compared to Stone
Monkey
·
“Benefitting their stubbornly prankish
nature, the monkeys could not keep still for a moment and stopped only when
they were utterly exhausted” (427).
·
Eager to be led.
Note: The normal monkey’s seem to be used to show
how much greater the Stone Monkey is. They create this known difference that
the audience/readers are led to know.
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