Monkeys ordinary world was shaken once Tripitaka started to disapprove of monkeys actions. For example, when monkey killed the robbers, he stated “Master, we can start now; I have killed them all’. ‘I am very sorry to hear it,’ said Tripitaka. ‘One has no right to kill robbers, however violent and wicked they may be. The most one may go i’d bring them before a magistrate. It would have been quite enough in this case if you had driven them away. Why kill them? You have behaved with cruelty that ill becomes one of your sacred calling’” (Page 21). Tripitaka wants monkey to see that this was not the correct way to handle the situation. He was not seeking revenge, he only wanted them to go away. He was so distraught by monkey’s action that he turned it into a lesson for monkey to finally learn that he must let go of all this anger and frustration, he needs to come to reality and face the fact that he is not the monkey king anymore and that he must now obey Tripitaka.
Throughout the journey monkey still tries to hold on to his ordinary world. This is shown when the group was helping out the Prince they met on their journey and monkey was set on helping him, in the quote, “That magician has a treasure worth more than an army of ten thousand men. When we go to the city tomorrow, we are sure to fall foul of him, he will use it to overthrow us. Wouldn’t it be much better if we got in first and stole the treasure?” (Page 56). Monkey has good intentions to help the prince and his father, however his actions on how to help are not right. He is slowly letting go of his ordinary world and was in the stage of threshold. He is excited about helping people along the way and does want to make a difference. He takes what Tripitaka says into consideration, however his actions must change in order for him to get through his heroic journey. Even though monkey is making progress, he still has a lot to learn.
-Kelly Kay
I agree with what my fellow classmate kelly’s post. She stated good points that supported her idea of Tripitaka disproving monkeys behavior just to teach him a lesson. With the the robbers example Kelly supported her idea to demonstrate Tripitaka intention to scold him to let go his angerness. I think Tripitaka also scolds Monkey King to open his eyes to face reality that he has a big responsibility on his shoulders. Tripitaka scolded Monkey King not to get him angry but has good intentions for Monkey.
Monkey has progressed and changed throughout his heroic journey. It was the obstacles and risks he took that were necessary for him to be the “Monkey Savior”. This can be seen when Monkey raises his hand when he says he shall go through the curtain in the quote where it says “If any of us were bold enough to pierce that curtain, get to where the water comes from and return unharmed, we would make him our king! “ Three times the call went out, when suddenly one of them leapt from among the throng…”. It is Monkey king determination and bravery that led him to keep going forward. Throughout his journey monkey showed “warrior like qualities” that lead him to get the title that he earned among his monkey peers. Monkey best fits the point of letting go in the heroic journey stage. This can be seen when Monkey run aways from Tripitaka just to get tea and Monkey says “Doesn’t it occur to you that I may hungry and thirsty too.’’ Monkey King just went off like that because Tripitaka talked to him sharply. Tripitaka is the helper and plays the role of the big brother that guides and gives the discipline necessary for Monkey to become Monkey king. With the help of Tripitaka Monkey let goes of his childish acts and leads him closer to his goal. Tripitaka attempts to show monkey pain to discipline him when he chanted a spell that made Monkey in pain and purple. He wanted Monkey not to be troublesome. With the help of Tripitaka Monkey gained wisdom and focus necessary to complete his heroic journey.
-Gagandeep Kaur