Journey to the West might appear to be a fairy tale, but in reality, it offers a deep metaphor for the cruelty and darkness of society and human nature. This is why the recent hit game Black Myth: Wukong has a title that reflects the darker aspects of the original story.
Journey to the West primarily narrates the story of Tang Sanzang, Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, Sha Wujing, and the White Dragon Horse as they journey to the West to obtain sacred texts, overcoming 81 trials along the way. The novel pioneered a new genre of long-form supernatural and mythological fiction. It is one of the most complex works in Chinese classical literature, blending the ideas and content of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. The novel features immortals from both Buddhism and Taoism, with a world of divine beings that is simultaneously solemn and infused with the emotions and behaviors of real society. This mix of the sacred and the mundane, presented with both seriousness and humor, has made the book beloved by readers across different cultural backgrounds. Through the fantastical world of Journey to the West, we can see reflections of real society everywhere.
Although Journey to the West is a mythological novel, the pilgrimage to obtain the sacred texts is based on historical facts. Over 1,300 years ago, during the first year of Emperor Taizong’s reign (627 AD), the 25-year-old monk Xuanzang left Chang’an and traveled alone to India for study. After overcoming numerous hardships, he eventually reached India. Xuanzang studied at the famous Nalanda Monastery for five years and was regarded as one of the ten great masters proficient in the three major Buddhist scriptures. In the nineteenth year of the reign (645 AD), Xuanzang returned to Chang’an with 657 Buddhist scriptures. He later narrated his journey to his disciple Bianji, who compiled it into the Great Tang Records on the Western Regions in twelve volumes. This work primarily detailed the history, geography, and transportation of the countries he encountered. Later, Xuanzang’s disciples Hui Li and Yan Cong wrote the Biography of the Great Master of the Three Stores of the Great Ci’en Temple, adding many mythological elements to Xuanzang’s experiences. While these works remained outside the scope of the pilgrimage story, they inspired later authors to create more myths about the journey. Journey to the West is far more than just a simple mythological novel. As Lu Xun noted in his A Brief History of Chinese Fiction, it “satirizes and mocks the social customs of the time, exaggerating them in its depiction.”
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Journey to the West can be roughly divided into three parts. The first seven chapters introduce Sun Wukong’s origins and his rebellion in Heaven, providing background for his immense powers and eventual loyalty to Tang Sanzang on the pilgrimage to the West. Chapters eight through twelve introduce the other protagonist, Tang Sanzang, and explain the reason for the pilgrimage. The main story spans from chapter thirteen to chapter one hundred, detailing the four disciples’ battles against demons and their quest to obtain the sacred texts. Sun Wukong is the main protagonist of the novel, possessing boundless abilities and a fearless, rebellious spirit. His greatest characteristic is his willingness to fight, whether against the almighty Jade Emperor or against demons, without ever retreating or submitting. Sun Wukong’s character embodies the author’s heroic ideals. Zhu Bajie is also a noteworthy character, portrayed as simple and honest, strong, and willing to fight demons. He serves as Sun Wukong’s most capable assistant. However, he also has many flaws, such as being gluttonous, greedy, lustful, and afraid of difficulties, making him a very human and endearing figure. Zhu Bajie’s character represents the complexities of human nature.
In reality, each of us lives in our own dark myth, where we can become a Wukong who fears no authority and bravely faces challenges. After a day of battle, when you return home, you might want to transform into a meditative Wukong, letting go of the day’s troubles and refining yourself into a stronger version.
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