great works ii – 2850 jta 12:25-2:05: love letters from the world

Journey to the West (pdf): The Heroic Journey

Thanks for all of your perceptive, thought-provoking posts!  I’ve organized your posts according to the character you’ve discussed.

Monkey:

Muneeb; Jacqueline; Susanna; Jiwoo; Aly; Preston; BIntou; Keauna; Nicole; Maria; Onu; Joaquin; Rebecca.

 Some comment rightly that Monkey isn’t satisfied with his “ordinary” world, specifically with the future, and so is compelled to leave his comfort zone and go in search of what he is missing. Aly makes an interesting comment, that as “soon as the boy gives his a name, he [Monkey] feels more important.” He is willing to “face new challenges” (Jacqueline) and he is curious (Annie), and ready to take up the call to adventure (Preston, Bintou, Nicole) all of these traits are important to the hero. Susanna points out that Monkey easily passes through the first four stages of the journey, but he does have problems when faced with obstacles. Maria mentions that although he takes ups the call to any adventure, he “gives up” easily when criticized. The question is, does he truly learn and grow? Joaquin says that he is on the path, but has not yet learned enough. Some believe that Monkey does finally learn that all obstacles are part of the path (Jiwoo) and so is on the way to Enlightenment. Keauna makes a very interesting remark, when she points out that Monkey had been a “great sage” of heaven, but that was not enough to win him salvation; he must learn to “humble himself” so that he can truly follow the right path. Onu points out that the period Monkey was imprisoned served as a time for contemplation and the threshold to the new world, when he is released. Rebecca’s comment is quite a perceptive one, in that she notes that Monkey’s deepest fear is facing his own mortality, and isn’t that the fear we all face, and something we will all one day have to reconcile ourselves to? In this sense, does Monkey perhaps need to learn that true Enlightenment is the way we behave with each other?

 Tripitaka:

Jorge G.; Francesca; Annie; Daphne; Jorge M.; Joseph; Tara; Katerina; Farhan.

One comment points to Tripitaka as the true hero, but the question is, where is the proof in the text? Remember to use quotes to support your assertions. Others of you point out that Tripitaka may have some problems, such as easily giving up (Jorge M.) or even not really wanting any helpers (Monkey/Pigsy) as Francesca points out. Another disagrees, saying that Tripitaka very graciously accepts his helpers, so this is another question to ponder. Joseph and Tara both suggest that Tripitaka takes up the “call” to adventure when he accepts the obedience cap for Monkey. So here, is Tripitaka accepting his role as leader?   Just a question. Katerina points out that although Tripitaka is in charge of this expedition, he is not a true leader, because he cannot truly act. Farhan agrees with these, yet reminds us that Tripitaka is indeed compassionate, and that is also an important aspect of the hero (someone who is trying to get to a sense of self-realization, and helping others to get there, too).

Monkey was locked away for his behavior in the heavens and was eventually released from captivity when he accepted his new life and journey that was about to begin once he agreed to the new terms. He served his time for his punishment and was given a second chance and joined Tripitaka on his mission and I feel that was the threshold on the heroic journey list. He realized he couldn’t go back to his old life and accepted and was ready to move on and help himself and Tripitaka on this new journey he was about to embark. “Not long ago the Bodhisattva Kuan-yin, whom Buddha had ordered to look around for someone to fetch Scriptures from India, came here and promised me that if I would amend my ways and faithfully protect the pilgrim on his way, I was to be released, and afterwards would find salvation.” That is the deal and that was his ways to accept his fate and to move on to achieve what was needed. “I will protect you faithfully to the end”, after a small retaliation, he realized that this journey was the only way to get to the life he must have had at one time or achieve something greater.

• Onu Mezbah

Continuing with what my classmate said, Monkey had to undertake a personal journey of self discovery that he was not really happy to do.  He did not like the idea to respond to Tripitaka and even though at the beginning of their journey he promised to help him he struggled with authority.  “All right, I’ll give up being a priest, and won’t go with you to India.” Monkey’s reaction to his differences with Tripitaka wasn’t look for common ground but to fight and constantly go against him.  It is only when Tripitaka learned the magic spell that dominated Monkey that he surrendered and accepted the fact that he had to obey and follow his word of helping and accompanying Tripitaka through his journey to India.  Even when Tripitaka first used the spell on Monkey he dared to fight him and once he realized the spell was stronger than him and there was nothing he could do he accepted his fate, “I’ll give in, I’ll give in”.  This personal journey in which Monkey doesn’t make the decisions and has to follow somebody’s else way of thinking is a huge challenge for him.  This journey will force Monkey to grow and mature if he really wants to complete his journey, achieve something greater and understand his true self.  

• Joaquin Azcue

Throughout Tripitakas heroic journey I noticed that he faced many challenges before he was able to reach bliss. For an example when Tripitaka and the hunter began the journey to find the scriptures they were attacked by a tiger,  when monkey joined the journey another tiger attacked them. According to the text in these two examples Tripitaka was scared to face the tiger, the hunter dealt with the first attack and monkey dealt with the second attack. Tripitaka has heroic qualities and goes through the heroic journey but he is not the hero of this story.  In my opinion a hero must be a leader and Tripitaka is not, he needs protection of others in order to find bliss.  When monkey killed the robbers Tripitaka said, “One has no right to kill robbers, however violent and wicked they may be.”  This portrays that Tripitaka has a good soul, which is a heroic quality, but when monkey left Tripitaka because of their argument he was unable to continue the journey alone. Tripitaka said, “I hadn’t the heart to go on, and was just sitting here waiting for you” which to me shows he isn’t the hero because he couldn’t face what was coming, in order to be a hero you must find a way to overcome your fears which is something Tripitaka couldn’t do.

• Katarina Stojanovic

During Tripitaka’s expedition with his three disciples (Monkey, Sandy, & Pigsy), they face excruciating circumstances in their journey to find Buddhist scrolls and scriptures. These challenges ranged from attacks from tigers to trials. As my partner previously stated, Tripitaka (the Monk) could not have completed his voyage to the West if it were not for his disciples, especially for Monkey who was his most valuable asset. Monkey provided protection for him against the tigers and Tripitaka was dependent upon this to find his bliss. Tripitaka is described as being caring and compassionate. But when his enemies take advantage of this, Monkey along with the rest of his disciples are there to defend him. “What you must do is lure the monster from its hiding place, but be certain it is a fight you can survive.” This advice was given by Monkey before facing one of his enemies. These are the traits of a true hero, unlike Tripitaka. However, despite Tripitaka’s lack of leadership skills he does indeed have a kind soul like my partner previously mentioned once again. When monkey killed the violent thieves, Tripitaka was the one who had the kind heart and felt some sort of sympathy. “To save one life is better than to build a seven-story pagoda.” In other words, the life of a human is far more important than to achieve  any materialistic things in life. Lastly, in order to be a hero, one has to have the ability to overcome all these challenges which Tripitaka proves otherwise.

• Farhan Zaman

As I learned about the Heroic Journey model, each part made sense to me- in the context of all stories, and specifically in the context of Journey to the West as well. The one step that I struggled to understand, was the last one. “The Abyss”- where the heroic character faces his darkest fear as the last step of the journey. After some deliberation, I decided that this does, in fact apply to Monkey. What is Monkey’s biggest fear? Most would agree that Monkey’s biggest fear is mortality, which is why he strives for centuries to find immortality. “Is there no way by which, instead of being born again on earth, I might live forever among the people of the sky?” At the end of his very long journey, Monkey is told that every hardship and bump along the way was really put there for his good, and that someone else is running the show. I think accepting this truth was Monkey facing his greatest fear. “‘..It acted under orders from Buddha himself.’ ‘You mean to tell me,’ said Monkey, ‘that it was Buddha who told this creature to turn into an evil spirit and seize the Emperor’s throne? In that case all the troubles I meet with while escorting Tripitaka are very likely ordered by His Holiness. A nice thought!’” Monkey finds it difficult to accept this fact, but in the end manages to, and faces his fear of mortality- “the state or condition of being subject to death, mortal character, nature, or existence.”

The Journey to the West has become Triptaka’s goal to reach. He has been given a job to travel to India to retrieve a set of Buddhist scriptures. These scriptures will serve a very big purpose back in China because it will help spread Buddhism in his native land. This journey could also be looked as Tripitaka’s road to enlightenment. Tripitaka has shown different points throughout his journey from the Heroic Journey Model, which are his helpers. These helpers are meant to assist Tripitaka. Tripitaka meets along his journey a Monkey King, Pigsy and a dragon. These creatures are immortals that have supernatural powers that will come to use once a demon tries to stop them throughout the journey. These helpers may seem to be a great help, but Tripitaka doesn’t seem to really want to have them along with him because they do have many flaws. I believe if it were up to him, he would just try and go on his own. He shows this act once he meets Monkey. Monkey had committed an act and Triptaka did not agree and he says, “that you had to do penance for five hundred years. If no that you have repented and become a priest you go on behaving as in old days, you can’t come with me to India. You’ve made a very bad start.” These creatures are also here to try and teach Tripitaka in a way. I believe Monkey being a creature with a lot of action, shows Tripitaka to not quit his goal. For example, when they come across the Monster that was found at the River of Flowing Sands. He seemed that Pigsy was having difficulties trying to kill this monster and there was no other way to get across. Monkey then says, “It is true that with that creature lying in wait for us, we can’t get across. But Pigsy, you stay here by the Master and don’t attempt to do any more fighting. I am going off to the Southern Ocean.” Monkey goes off to find Bodhisattva, and he is positive she could help.

Susanna Domosi:

Monkey’s character fits into the Heroic Journey Model of Joseph Campbell. In chapter one, he experiences the first four stages of first being in a safe world where something isn’t working, and finishing the chapter when he enters a new world by being given a new name. Throughout the following chapters, Monkey has entered into a special world; a journey to attain scriptures with Tripitaka. WIthin this world, he is experiencing trials and new challenges. These trials are a part of the sixth stage of the heroic journey model.

Monkey is faced with a trail when robbers attack him and Tripitaka. Monkey wants to protect Tripitaka but resorts to violence: “One has no right to kill robbers, however violent or wicked they may be” (Wu Ch’eng-En, 21). Monkey resorted to his ways from when before he was a priest. His trial is to grow from his violent ways from the past.

Throughout their journey to India, Monkey comes across creatures that stand in their way and challenge their route. Time and time again, Monkey attempts to fight these creatures with force, but then is reminded that these obstacles were actually put in place to help their journey:

Monkey is fonder of showing off his own powers than mentioning his connection with other people…But in future if anyone questions him, he must be sure to say that he is seeking scriptures. Then there will be no trouble (Wu Ch’eng-En ,9)

The obstacles that Monkey experiences are symbolic of the sixth stage of the heroic journey model: Challenges in life are actually lessons that can be overcome and be turned into one’s strength as long as one can remember their original purpose in life. Monkey having to remember that his purpose is to attain scriptures and that his duty is to communicate this to anyone they encounter is a direct parallel with this life lesson.

Daphne Young:

Monkey indeed faces many new challenges throughout the journey that test him to see whether he is still on the right path. As Susanna said, Monkey attempts to face these challenges with force sometimes but is reminded that he must not be swayed as these obstacles were put in place to help him grow throughout the journey.

Like Monkey, I also believe that Tripitaka’s character fits into the Heroic Journey Model. As the story progresses, we see that Tripitaka’s “pack” grows and grows with the help of Bodhisattva Kuan-yin. Tripitaka receives a lot of help on his journey which relates to the seventh stage of the model. Every hero needs help, heroes cannot do things alone and great heroes are only as great as the support they get. From the very beginning we see that Tripitaka receives tremendous help from Bodhisattva Kuan-yin, who aids and finds Tripitaka his disciples. “Pigsy…and Monkey…are both Tripitaka’s disciples and both were converted by the Bodhisattva.” (41) Although many forget about the horse, the Third Son of the Dragon King is also a disciple of Tripitaka and was converted by Bodhisattva Kuan-yin. Lastly we see that the “pack” grows by one more with the addition of Sandy, who is asked to put himself at Tripitaka’s disposal and become his disciple by the Bodhisattva Kuan-yin. Together these “three disciples, each of whom is adept in quelling dragons and subduing tigers, removing monsters and making away with bogeys,” (42) help Tripitaka on his scripture seeking journey.

Jiwoo Han:

As my partners stated, both Monkey and Tripitaka fit into the Heroic Journey Model of Joseph Campbell with their appropriate quotes. I want to more focus on Monkey. The Monkey king and all other monkeys are satisfied with their current life. They do not need to care about the other animals and people. All the monkeys can do whatever they want without thinking about others in the inside land of the waterfall. In chapter 1, the Monkey king suddenly reaches to the first step of HJ Model. “Yama, King of Death, is secretly waiting to destroy me. Is there no way by which, instead of being born again on earth, I might live forever among the people of the sky?”(Wu Ch’eng-En). He starts to fear his death and tries to change his current life by looking for the Immortals to learn how to live young forever. These are steps 2 and 3. After 500 years’ penance for making troubles in the Halls of Heaven, Monkey meet Tripitaka and lays down his everything and leave for India with Tripitaka. These are Threshold and Special World. During the journey to India, Monkey and Tripitaka faces some monsters and meet some helpers such as Pigsy and Sandy. In the last chapter, finally Monkey knows that every moments of the journey are under Buddha. “It acted under orders from Buddha himself” (Wu Ch’eng-En). At the very last moment, he comes to know that all the experiences throughout the journey are Buddha’s plan to train him and he realizes the way he pursue his ultimate life with training himself.

Looking at the characterization behind Monkey and the Heroic Journey Model, it’s easy to connect him to the Ordinary World. I believe that readers in many ways can sort of relate to Monkey. He has questions, desires and concerns that all normal human beings have. “I have no cause for unhappiness. But I have a misgiving about the future, which troubles me sorely.” This alone is a conflict that many have in the Ordinary World. People in general often have a hard time being happy with just where they are. It’s human nature to be concerned about the unseeable future. Not only this but I believe that often, people are looking for some kind of purpose, some kind of definition to their lives. It’s satisfying to feel as though you have been given a meaning. Monkey seems to feel this too when he says, “Splendid! From now onwards let me be called Wake-of-Vacuity.” As soon as the boy gives him a name, he feels more important. I can connect Monkey being given a name to people in the Ordinary World being given a role, or a job.

• Aly

Aly you make a strong argument and back up your idea of Monkey being connected to the Ordinary World very well. I would like to focus on Tripitaka and how the Heroic Journey Model applies to him. The step in the model that I associate Tripitaka with is the Trials: Facing New Challenges. In each chapter of “Journey to the West,” Tripitaka faces challenges and each time deals with them differently. “That is very kind of you, but my disciple has run away, so I cannot accept them.” This is the one of the challenges Tripitaka faces and he deals with it in a nonchalant way, meaning he doesn’t really pay attention to it. He goes about his business until he runs into the Bodhisattva Kuan-Yin, who helps teach him a spell that would resolve his issue and will make Monkey never part ways with him again. This part of the story proves to be important to Tripitaka because of the next problems that come his way. “’Well, suppose it [horse] has been eaten. How am I to travel? It’s a great deal too far to walk.’ And as he spoke his tears began to fall like rain.” This is another trial Tripitaka faces and if it wasn’t for Monkey being with him, he wouldn’t have been able to overcome the challenge. Compared to Monkey, who’s answer to challenges include attacking and fighting, Tripitaka take a more passive approach to situations, sometimes not doing anything.

• Jorge

Aly and Jorge both make great points about how Monkey and Tripitaka are connected to the Ordinary World and Trials: Facing New Challenges, respectively.  In my opinion I believe the step, Call to Adventure, of the Heroic Journey Model most likely applies to Monkey.  Throughout the whole story “Journey to The West”, Monkey has to face a new adventure each chapter whether it be leaving the waterfall to find immortality or trying to fight back a kingdom that was stolen, each time he accepts the call to a new adventure.  “You go first and show us how”.  This was the very first call to adventure that Monkey was given and of course with ease he accepted the call and went right into the waterfall.  Once he accepted this adventure and followed through with his action, is when I believe he left the Ordinary World behind.  “Master, now that we have found this thing, there is no more doubt about the matter. Tomorrow it will be my job to catch this fiend”.  This is Monkey’s final call to adventure of “Journey to the West” and with no hesitation he does what he has to do and completes his quest.  This just proves that throughout the book, Monkey no matter what adventures or quests he comes across, does what he believes to be right and gets them done.

• Preston

Tripitaka is on the Heroic Journey throughout Journey to the West. Tripitaka crosses the threshold when he meets an old woman after the encounter with the burglars. The old woman, who turned out to be Bodhisattva Kuan-yin, gave Tripitaka a cap and a coat. She said to him, “If he disobeys you, say the spell, and he’ll give you no more trouble and never dare to leave you.” By accepting her gifts, Tripitaka also accepts the journey he is on. Monkey returns to Tripitaka shortly after. Tripitaka admits to Monkey, “I hadn’t the heart to go on, and was just sitting here waiting for you.” Tripitaka realizes he could not go back to the ordinary world, which is a life without Monkey. In addition, Tripitaka realizes he could not continue his journey without Monkey by his side. Tripitaka crossed the threshold since he could not turn back and had to finish the journey.

-Joseph Morreale

In the heroic journey, stage two, Monkey gets his call to adventure. He goes out to look for immortality and it takes him almost 8 years before getting to his destination. Before leaving to his “adventure” Monkey leaves everything behind and all the other Monkeys. This is an act of heroism because sometimes you have to go away and do whats right for yourself in order to guide your people better. The cause of the trip was because Monkey was agonized about the future , mainly afraid of the afterlife as well as the other monkeys . The other monkeys around him explain to him about the immortals beyond the mountain. In Monkey’s words, “Tomorrow I shall take leave of you all and go down the mountain.” As their leader, the Monkey king takes it upon himself to go out and search for the immortals.

-Bintou Samura

According to the Monkey he was cast out of heaven by Buddha for causing trouble. It’s been 500 years and all the while he was trapped under the mountain Buddha brought upon him. Although the Monkey did make the title of the Great Sage, he must once again prove himself to Buddha so he can find salvation. So how was he going to do that? The Monkey had to become the disciple of a priest, by the name of Tripitaka and follow/protect him on his journey to India for Scriptures. Now after the “adventurous” stage of the Money’s journey, he finds himself in many stages after. Such as “trials”, where he faces a challenge. This challenge is the Monkey having to humble himself and not be so ill-tempered. For instance, whilst on the road to India, Tripitaka and the Monkey find themselves in danger. The first time is with a tiger, who the Monkey quickly kills, impressing the priest. However, their second encounter is with robbers whom the Monkey kills as well. This time Tripitaka is angered by the Monkey actions saying “…if now that you have repented and become a priest you go on behaving as in old days, you can’t come with me to India. You’ve made a very bad start.” Highly offended the Monkey retorts and leaves Tripitaka behind. We are then introduced to the Dragon King of the Eastern Ocean, where he basically tells the Monkey “Great Sage, you must learn to control yourself and submit to the will of others, if you are not to spoil all your chances.” Realizing what he’s done the Monkey says that he will go back.

-Keauna

Nicole:

Monkey seemed to be on the verge of reaching his bliss when he is on his adventure to reach his goals. His realization of his true self peeks through as he is on his journey with the other monkeys on page 11. He describes the difference between two languages and about how birds and beasts have their own separate language. “Birds have their own language; beasts have their beasts talk.” This can be interpreted as monkey comparing his motivation to the motivation of others. It seems that throughout the story monkey is always willing to take risks and go on adventures for what he truly wants, and at this point in the story, he seems determined to keep going until he is satisfied and reaches his bliss. The story then goes on to further explain how monkey tries to be a leader to the other monkeys by motivating them as a group to continue this adventure.  ‘“we none of us know where this stream comes from. As we have nothing to do this morning, wouldn’t it be fun to follow it up to its source?” with a loop of joy, dragging their sons and carrying their daughters, calling out to younger brother and to elder brother, the whole troupe rushed along the streamside and scrambled up the steep places, till they reached the source of the stream. They found themselves standing before the curtain of a great waterfall.’ This is a source of bliss for monkey. The waterfall can symbolize his accomplishment of meeting a new obstacle or something greater than what has already achieved.

Maria:

Nicole, I completely agree with you that through those quotes he is always willing to stay on his journey to enlightenment and bliss. He seems to be very eager and determined to keep on going as well as inspire others to go along with him. I do think this will change as he encounters obstacles and challenges along his way.

Monkey appropriately fits into the Heroic Journey model because after setting on his journey to find enlightenment he hits a rough patch with his companion Tripitaka. The stage Threshold: Point of letting go refers to the moment of one’s heroic journey in which the person comes close to giving up. In the text, Monkey had a setback in his journey when he killed the robbers who had stopped him and Tripitaka. Tripitaka was furious with Monkey that he had gone about his old ways and told Monkey he could not go with him to India. Monkey was at the Point of Letting Go when he says “All right! I’ll give up being a priest, and won’t go with you to India. You needn’t go on at me anymore. I’m off!”. Monkey is comfortable and used to being a king, so much that when Tripitaka yelled at him, Monkey could not take the critique. This put him very close to the edge of letting go of the journey he is on. If Monkey can give up that easily, it makes me wonder how serious he is about the journey he is on and what will happen when he faces more serious challenges.

Later on in the text, Monkey gets close to giving up on his journey when he  encounters a dragon that swallowed one of the horses. Monkey says to Bodhisattva, “…But if we are going to have encounters like this all the time, I shall have hard work keeping alive at all, let alone any thought of achieving salvation. I’m not going on!” Monkey is getting overwhelmed by all the unexpected encounters he has and if considering if the journey is worth it. I do not think Monkey realized how difficult the journey, as it is not only a physically effortful journey but also requires a lot of mental strength.

Tara:

Maria your perspective is very interesting because Monkey does seem to give up quite often, and he becomes agitated with Tripitaka easily. Monkey loses his patience and it does seem as if he is close to letting go when criticized by Tripitaka. I do feel that throughout the journey he will attempt to accept other people’s critiques and even accepts help from others and certain points. Tripitaka experiences call to adventure during his heroic journey shortly after he and Monkey began their journey. After Monkey became angry with Tripitaka for scolding him when he killed the robbers, Monkey ran away. During this time Tripitaka came across an elderly lady. Just when he was set on traveling to India alone without a disciple, she convinced him otherwise. On page 21 the women states “ You surely don’t expect to get there with only one horse and no disciple to wait upon you?”. In this statement she is persuading Tripitaka to rethink his decision to travel on his own. She then fully persuades Tripitaka when she offers to find Monkey and states “I’ll go look for him and send him back to you. Make him wear this cap and coat. If he disobeys you, say the spell, he’ll give no more trouble and never dare to leave you.”(22). The women convinced Tripitaka that this journey would not be possible without Monkey, and by giving him the cap and coat she gave Tripitaka control over Monkey. Although Monkey and Tripitaka began their adventure before this incident, once Tripitaka was giving the opportunity to have control over Monkey; that was his true call to adventure.

Monkey’s story fits very well into the Heroic Journey Model. From the beginning it was easy to tell that Monkey wasn’t satisfied with his current life. He was in search for something more to reach his “bliss”, which is what the HJ Model is based on. Monkey reaches stage one of the HJ Model right away. All of the other monkeys were happy and satisfied with the way they were living but Monkey didn’t feel the same way. There was something missing for him. Monkey got to the point where he couldn’t contain his dissatisfaction. “One day he suddenly felt depressed during a banquet with his monkey host, and he started to weep. The startled monkeys crowded round, bowed to him and asked, ‘What’s the matter, Your Majesty?'”   “I’m worried about the future. That’s what’s getting me down”, he said. Monkey’s realization that something is missing from his life marks the beginning of his heroic journey. From this point on, he devotes himself to finding whatever is missing in his life in order to reach his “bliss”.

Group: Muneeb, Jamie, Jorge

Journey to the West, Chapter 1: Wake-to-Vacuity

Thank-you all for your perceptive and (often) thought provoking comments!   Please read over my response, as I have pointed to the more salient responses.  These responses will help you as we continue reading, and will also help to guide your essay writing and midterm exam.

A few of you point to the validity of Monkey’s quest.

Indeed, Monkey has “midlife crisis” (Jamie) which is funny but absolutely valid, because we must ask ourselves (as we asked ourselves in class) if Monkey’s quest for immortality is, indeed, the right quest. If there is an “emptiness” (Muneeb’s term, and this is a great word to use, in light of your assignment) in his life, then it is important that he acknowledges that emptiness. A question: what is Monkey filling that emptiness with? Also, it is important that Monkey leave his comfort zone (as for us, too) but again, when is something stifling our growth or nurturing it?

Some of you also point to a positive trait of Monkey, and that is his fortitude and willingness to act. Action is very important, and as you continue reading, be very attentive to see if Monkey’s actions are always the right ones. And yes, whether or not Monkey will succeed in his quest, the name Wake-to-Vacuity does seem to indicate that Monkey is (whether he realizes it right now or not) on the path to Enlightenment (Jacqueline; Francesca). As well, as Annie mentions, one needs “to break the suborn vacuity” (where Monkey is now?) in order to “wake” to vacuity, or Enlightenment.   Action is important, of course, but Aly wonders if “Monkey is all about action.”   This is an interesting point, and one we will consider in class, and Jorge M. points out that it is actually difficult to determine in he has been acting viably or not. Preston feels positive about Monkey’s actions, and says Monkey wants to “impact the world.” This is very possibly true, and we need to follow him closely in the rest of the narrative.

Generosity is also an important trait to embody, in order to reach Enlightenment, and Katerina suggests that Monkey has shown this when he decides to go through the waterfall and go on the quest for immortality, as she feels he does this, essentially, for the other Monkeys.

Wisdom: Joseph; Keauna; Bintou

This group made some interesting comments about Monkey and wisdom. On the one hand, he does seem to lack wisdom, in his inability to accept both death, and the responsibility for one’s others. As well, this group asks, is Monkey truly and viably active, or just restless?   On the other hand, as this group (Bintou) points out, does Monkey show aspects of wisdom, when he leaves his comfortable life to find more meaning?

Wisdom: Maria; Nicole; Tara

This group starts off by making a very important comment (Maria) that “to be wise is not only to be smart bu understand what will make the journey to Enlightenment successful.”   Yes, the fact that Monkey is asking questions is very positive. Does he do this enough?   Nicole points out that Monkey recognizes the meaninglessness of his life (or at least he feels it’s meaningless) and this is also very important, because one large question in this text is: what makes our lives meaningful?   And, yes, as Tara points out, Monkey does seem to dismiss the Woodcutter’s life immediately.

Wisdom:   Songyun; Susanna; Jiwoo; Daphne

This group points out that wisdom can be seen in various areas: his willingness to grow his knowledge base and have other experiences; his desire to connect to something more spiritual (and we’ll look at this further, to see if that really is one of his goals); to strive for “infinity” (Daphne’s interesting word) that wisdom is essentially a continual process and not a goal. nd is this what Monkey has been thinking, that his search is a goal and not a process, and is that the true quest or not?

Patience: Onu; Fahran; Joaquin

This group points out that Monkey certainly shows patience in that he has spent, apparently tireless, years on his journey (Onu; Joquin). It is interesting that Fahran points out that determination is also a kind of patience, which I think is quite a valid comment. It will be interesting to see if Monkey continues to be patient, during the rest of his journey.