The Journey to the West: Volume I

The Journey to the West

• Genre: Fiction; classic Chinese literature; fantasy/mythology
• Originally Published: 1592
• Reading Level/Interest: Grades 9-12; college/adult
• Structure/Length: 25 chapters; approximately 574 pages
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: The story follows the Tang Dynasty Buddhist monk Xuanzang and his three protectors—Sun Wukong (the Monkey King), Zhu Bajie (Pigsy), and Sha Wujing (Sandy)—who are all disciples penalized by the heavens. Their mission is to journey to the “Western Regions” (Central Asia and India) to obtain Buddhist sutras. The central conflict revolves around their adventures combating various demons and monsters during this epic journey.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Elements of fantasy violence; depictions of demons and supernatural creatures; scenes of punishment and redemption; religious themes

Wu Cheng’en, Author

• Bio: Born circa 1500; died 1582; one of the four great classical novelists in Chinese literature; an official and scholar during the Ming Dynasty; his work, especially The Journey to the West, remains an integral part of Chinese literary canon; themes of his work often revolved around mythology, folklore, and spirituality
• Other Works: Primarily known for The Journey to the West, other minor works include poetry and prose that are less known

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Unit:

• Good Versus Evil and the Power of Redemption
• The Juxtaposition of Pride and Humility
• The Need for Order and Law Amidst Chaos

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Unit, students will:

• Explore background information on allegory and Buddhist thought to increase their engagement with and understanding of The Journey to the West.
• Read/study paired texts and other resources to deepen their understanding of themes related to Good Versus Evil and the Power of Redemption, The Juxtaposition of Pride and Humility, and The Need for Order and Law Amidst Chaos.
• Demonstrate their understanding of the cultural impact of Journey to the West by creating a presentation tracing its influence on a particular work or form of cultural expression.
• Analyze the significance of various elements of the novel, such as satire, characterization, plot detail, the picaresque, and allegory, and construct essay responses tying these to the novel’s meaning.