Anthropomorphism in Journey to the West: A Literary Analysis

1. Monkeying AroundAn Examination of Anthropomorphism in Journey to the West and its Adaptations Kirk Lipsitz, Blake Weinstein, Will Whitehurst, Molly Zhang Austin College

2. What Is Anthropomorphism? “an interpretation of what is not human or personal in terms of human or personal characteristics” (Merriam-Webster) In this case, where human characteristics are assigned to nonhuman characters Used in literature to give intellectual and psychological distance when describing things of a social, political, religious, etc. nature (Burke, 207) Used in children’s literature to depict morals and responsibilities, power vs. weakness, respect, etc (Burke, 209-211)

3. Anthropomorphism in Journey to the West Four main characters who assume human characteristics: Monkey (Sun Wukong) - a monkey Pig (Zhu Bajie) - a pig Friar Sand (Sha Wujing) - an ogre/water spirit White Dragon Horse - a dragon who takes the form of a horse, the main transportation method

4. Anthropomorphism in Journey to the West Mostly utilized as one method of conveying the Buddhist morals, etc. that Wu Cheng’en (author) wants to emphasize Part of the shenmo genre of fiction, depicting gods and immortals; in this work, most of them assume animal forms Similar to Aesop’s fables or creation stories in its use of characters who assume such characteristics to espouse a moral

5. Monkey （孙悟空）- Physical Description • A monkey • Has immense strength and 72 transformations • Carries the Golden Hoop Rod that can change in length upon his command • Wears a golden band that Guanyin gives to Tripitaka to keep him under control • Can cloud somersault huge distances at a time “Sun Wu Kong” (dikky85)

6. Monkey （孙悟空）- Background History • Born from a magical stone split in half by thunder • Went on a path to obtain immortality • Steals the golden hooped rod from the Dragon King which brews fury among the Heavens • Self-proclaimed Great Sage Equal to the Heavens • Eventually gets subdued by Buddha, who traps him underneath the Five Finger Mountain • Gets pardoned by Guanyin and freed by Tripitaka • Joins his journey to the west

7. Monkey （孙悟空）- Interactions/Stereotypes Mischievous and inquisitive Uses his powers as a tool of manipulation Very prideful - as shown through his interactions as King of Flower Fruit Mountain in his backstory Very competitive Eventually grows to respect Tripitaka and other disciples, willing to make sacrifices for them

8. Pig （猪八戒）- Physical Description • A pig • His weapon is the High Treasure Golden Rake (Nine Pronged Rake with divine power) • Luggage carrier of the group Pig as he appears in Xi You Ji (1986 Chinese television drama)

9. Pig （猪八戒）- Background History Banished from the Heavens after getting drunk and sleeping with the Moon goddess Was supposed to be reincarnated into a human but was born from a pig’s womb instead Several years on Earth, he tries to marry a human woman from a village Eventually is defeated by Monkey, and decides to join their journey to the west

10. Pig （猪八戒）- Interactions/Stereotypes He is extremely lazy, perverted and gluttonous; food is more important than life Brute strength, no brains Very witty, usually perceived as comic relief Monkey always calls Pig an idiot Struggles to keep his faith because of his love for strong drinks, food, and women As a result, only one not promoted to Buddhahood in the end of the text

11. Friar Sand （沙僧）- Physical Description • Ogre-like creature • Dark colored skin • Looks like a monk because he shaves his head, hence his name • Carries a staff which was given to him by the Jade Emperor “Sha Wujing” figure (John Morey)

12. Friar Sand （沙僧）- Background History Once the curtain raising marshal of Heaven, but banished for knocking over a crystal cup at a feast Pardoned by Guanyin, reincarnated into a sand-eating river ogre Monkey and Pig subdue him, and he eventually joins Tripitaka’s journey to the west

13. Friar Sand （沙僧）- Interactions/Stereotypes Calmest one of the group Very philosophical Extremely loyal to his faith Not as hot-headed as the two other disciples

14. White Dragon Horse （白龙马） Originally the Dragon Prince Eats Tripitaka’s white horse Banished from the Dragon King’s palace for burning it down Granted forgiveness seconds before death Guanyin makes him replace Tripitaka’s horse and become the main mode of transportation for their journey to the west.

15. Anthropomorphism in Adaptations

16. Media Characteristics: Art Ukiyo-e (Japanese woodblock prints) Monkey’s face is usually happy or playful Wields his staff in most depictions Wears clothes like a human - a dead giveaway of his anthropomorphic characteristics Places much emphasis on certain physical features, instead of focusing on sheer power, etc.

17. “Jade Rabbit - Sun Wukong #73” (Yoshitoshi Tsukioka) “Monkey” (Kono Bairei) “Monkey Carrying Gohei” (Ryuryuko Shinsai)

18. Media Characteristics: Manga/Graphic Novels The Monkey King (Katsuya Terada, 2002) A graphically violent take on Journey to the West aimed at the seinen(college male) demographic Translated in America by cult comic book publisher Dark Horse Much more detailed art style than ukiyo-e Monkey portrayed as demon, creating a reversal of expectations Other adaptations usually portray him as innocent with devious streak here, “devious” angle is played up quite significantly - immense power fully realized

19. Media Characteristics: Film/TV Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons (Stephen Chow, 2013) Serves as an unofficial “prequel” to JttW Focuses on the demonic origins of the main characters, glossed over in the original work Are initially portrayed as demons, but later become human, with no animalistic traits

20. Conquering the Demons: Pig • Known as K.L. Hog • Demon that preys on travelers • Is slick and shiny, a pig’s skin • Uses a false presentation, eating those who are lured into his den by the promise of a night’s stay in a classy inn • His façade is broken

21. Conquering the Demons: Monkey • First introduced as an emaciated old man trapped under Five-Phases Mountain • Homage to Buddhist Opera, with the ornate clothes and flags • “Playful” but without mercy or compassion

22. Conquering the Demons: Sand A large river demon that looks like an angler Kills everyone, even children Is stopped by Tripitaka

23. Media Characteristics: Video Games League of Legends Wukong is a playable champion in this popular MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) game According to the lore, born from a runestone that was said to grant immortality He wears armor and wields a staff Wukong seeks to battle the strongest fighters in the world: the League of Legends He joins the League of Legends in order to learn the ways of humans and become a fitting champion Sun Wukong (original skin, as he appears in League of Legends)

24. What Have We Learned? • The truth of Buddha is in all of us • If redemption can happen to a bunch of animals (albeit humanized), it can happen to you too • Adaptations of Journey to the West can challenge our expectations of the work, leading to greater understanding of it

25. Resources/References Burke, Carolyn L., and Joby G. Copenhaver. “Animals as People in Children’s Literature.” Language Arts 81.3 (2004): 205-213. Print. Cheng'en, Wu. The Monkey and the Monk: An Abridgment of Journey to the West. Trans. Anthony C. Yu. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2006. Print. Journey to the West: Conquering The Demons. Dir. Stephen Chow. Perf. Shu Qi, Wen Zhang, Huang Bo, Show Lo, and Chrissie Chau. Edko Films/Magnolia Pictures, 2013. DVD. Terada, Katsuya. The Monkey King: Volume 1. Milwaukie, OR: Dark Horse, 2005. Print. “Wukong, the Monkey King - Lore.” League of Legends. League of Legends/Riot Games, n.d. Web. 5 May 2015.

26. Images Cited Bairei, Kono. Monkey. 1890s. Woodblock print. Artelino Auctions, Munich. Digital image. Ukiyo-e.org. N.d. Web. 5 May 2015. <http://ukiyo-e.org/image/artelino/51779g1> dikky85. Sun Wu Kong. Digital image. DeviantArt. 9 Jun. 2008. Web. 10 May 2015. <http://dikky85.deviantart.com/art/sun-wu-kong-88214640> K.L. Hog (Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons). Digital image. Plum Blossoms Petals. Wordpress.com, 9 Sep. 2013. Web. 5 May 2015. <https://plumblossomspetals.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/jttwpig.png> Morey, John. “Sha Wujing.” Digital image. Flickr. Yahoo!, 30 Aug. 2012. Web. 10 May 2015. <https://www.flickr.com/photos/74529773@N07/7897951134> Sea Monster (Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons). Digital image. Fish and Chips. Wordpress.com, 2 May 2012. Web. 5 May 2015. <https://fishandchipz.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/sandy1.png> Shinsai, Ryuryuko. Monkey Carrying Gohei. 1890s. Woodblock print. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Digital image. Ukiyo-e.org. N.d. Web. 5 May 2015. <http://ukiyo-e.org/image/mfa/sc222963> Sun Wukong (Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons). Digital image. io9.com. Gawker Media, 7 Mar. 2014. Web. 5 May 2015. <http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--LKk428RY--/nvnlgwxov1srxoah0z8y.jpg> Sun Wukong, Original Skin (League of Legends). Digital image. League of Legends Wiki. Wikia, 30 Oct. 2014. Web. 9 May 2015. <http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20141030220436/leagueoflegends/images/thumb/4/48/Wukong_OriginalSkin.jpg/640px-Wukong_OriginalSkin.jpg> Terada, Katsuya. The Monkey King: Vol. 2. 2012.. Book cover. Digital image. Dark Horse. Dark Horse, 18 Apr. 2012. Web. 5 May 2015. <https://www.darkhorse.com/Books/Previews/18-736> Tsukioka, Yoshitoshi. Jade Rabbit - Sun Wukong #73. 1889 (re-carved edition). Woodblock print. Artelino Auctions, Munich. Digital image. Ukiyo-e.org. N.d. Web. 5 May 2015. <http://ukiyo-e.org/image/artelino/8230g1> Zhu Bajie (Xi You Ji). Digital image. Foreigners-in-China. N.d. Web. 10 May 2015. <http://www.foreigners-in-china.com/images/zhu-ba-jie-2.jpg>