85 pages 2 hours read

Wu Cheng'en, Transl. Anthony C. Yu

The Journey to the West: Volume I

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1592

A 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.

Answer Key

Chapters 1-5

Reading Check

1. The Jade Emperor (Chapter 1)

2. Metal weapons (Chapter 3)

3. The Garden of Immortal Peaches (Chapter 5)

Short Answer

1. Yin represents the dark, negative, and feminine principles, while yang represents light, positive, and masculine principles. (Chapter 1)

2. He sneaks into Patriarch’s home at night and waits. (Chapter 2)

3. He crosses out all of their names from the list of those who will someday die and go to the Underworld. (Chapter 3)

4. Wukong initially feels honored by his new position as the head of the imperial stables, but when he learns he is the lowest-ranked employee in heaven, he is humiliated. (Chapter 4)

Chaptes 6-10

Reading Check

1. Erlang/the Emperor’s nephew (Chapter 6)

2. Distant pillars (Chapter 7)

3. A golden carp/the Dragon King (Chapter 9)

Short Answer

1. He can’t hide his eyes from the smoke that the Emperor’s forces try to use to burn the immortality from him. (Chapter 7)

2. Guanyin tells Wukong that if he is sincere then when the pilgrim she is seeking passes by his prison, the pilgrim will free Wukong in return for Wukong agreeing to serve him.