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17.3 the monkey king text
- 1. Print
Monkey
by Wu Cheng'en (c. . . 1505–1580)
Wu Cheng'en was a writer during the Ming Dynasty. He wrote stories in a language that most Chinese could read. His Monkey King
stories are his most popular works. These stories describe Monkey King's encounters with gods, demons, fairies, and masters during
his travels.
The Monkey King stories are allegories. They have a hidden meaning, such as a moral or a lesson. The characters, setting, and plot in
an allegory are often symbols. As you read the excerpt, think about what Monkey symbolizes.
In the excerpt, the clever Monkey has been crowned king, but he is unhappy. He travels in search of someone who can teach him about
the meaning of life. Monkey comes upon a teacher, the Patriarch (PAY • tree • AHRK), and his students. The Patriarch teaches Monkey
some magical skills but warns Monkey to keep them secret. Later, Monkey joins the other students.
If you saw someone turn into a tree, wouldn't you at once ask how it was done?”
—from Monkey: Folk Novel of China, by Wu Cheng'en
The disciples (dih • SY • puhls) clapped and burst into loud applause. "Bravo, Monkey, bravo," they cried. There was such a din that
the Patriarch came running out. . . . "Who's making all this noise?" he asked. . . . Monkey changed himself back into his true form and
slipped in among the crowd, saying, "Reverend Master, we are doing lessons out here. I assure you there was no noise in particular."
"You were all bawling," said the Patriarch angrily. "It didn't sound in the least like people studying. I want to know what you were doing
here, shouting and laughing." "To tell the truth," said someone, "Monkey was showing us a transformation (TRANS • fuhr • MAY •
SHUHN) just for fun. We told him to change into a pine tree, and he did it so well that we were all applauding him." . . . "Go away, all of
you!" the Patriarch shouted. "And you, Monkey, come here! . . . Did you think I taught you [magic] in order that you might show off in
front of other people? If you saw someone turn into a tree, wouldn't you at once ask how it was done? If others see you doing it, aren't
they certain to ask you? If you are frightened to refuse, you will give the secret away; and if you refuse, you're very likely to be roughly
handled. You're putting yourself in grave danger." "I'm terribly sorry," said Monkey. "I won't punish you," said the Patriarch, "but you can't
stay here." Monkey burst into tears. "Where am I to go to?”
—from Monkey: Folk Novel of China, by Wu Cheng'en
Excerpt from Monkey: Folk Novel of China, by Wu Cheng’en, copyright © 1943 by John Day Company, Inc. Copyright © renewed 1970 by Alison Waley. Used by permission of Grove/Atlantic, Inc.
Analyzing Literature DBQ
1. Describing What does Monkey do in front of the disciples?
2. Identifying Points of View Why is the Patriarch angry at Monkey after discovering what Monkey has done?
3. Synthesizing Do you agree with the Patriarch that showing off can lead to great danger? Why or why not?
![Print
Monkey
by Wu Cheng'en (c. . . 1505–1580)
Wu Cheng'en was a writer during the Ming Dynasty. He wrote stories in a language that most Chinese could read. His Monkey King
stories are his most popular works. These stories describe Monkey King's encounters with gods, demons, fairies, and masters during
his travels.
The Monkey King stories are allegories. They have a hidden meaning, such as a moral or a lesson. The characters, setting, and plot in
an allegory are often symbols. As you read the excerpt, think about what Monkey symbolizes.
In the excerpt, the clever Monkey has been crowned king, but he is unhappy. He travels in search of someone who can teach him about
the meaning of life. Monkey comes upon a teacher, the Patriarch (PAY • tree • AHRK), and his students. The Patriarch teaches Monkey
some magical skills but warns Monkey to keep them secret. Later, Monkey joins the other students.
If you saw someone turn into a tree, wouldn't you at once ask how it was done?”
—from Monkey: Folk Novel of China, by Wu Cheng'en
The disciples (dih • SY • puhls) clapped and burst into loud applause. "Bravo, Monkey, bravo," they cried. There was such a din that
the Patriarch came running out. . . . "Who's making all this noise?" he asked. . . . Monkey changed himself back into his true form and
slipped in among the crowd, saying, "Reverend Master, we are doing lessons out here. I assure you there was no noise in particular."
"You were all bawling," said the Patriarch angrily. "It didn't sound in the least like people studying. I want to know what you were doing
here, shouting and laughing." "To tell the truth," said someone, "Monkey was showing us a transformation (TRANS • fuhr • MAY •
SHUHN) just for fun. We told him to change into a pine tree, and he did it so well that we were all applauding him." . . . "Go away, all of
you!" the Patriarch shouted. "And you, Monkey, come here! . . . Did you think I taught you [magic] in order that you might show off in
front of other people? If you saw someone turn into a tree, wouldn't you at once ask how it was done? If others see you doing it, aren't
they certain to ask you? If you are frightened to refuse, you will give the secret away; and if you refuse, you're very likely to be roughly
handled. You're putting yourself in grave danger." "I'm terribly sorry," said Monkey. "I won't punish you," said the Patriarch, "but you can't
stay here." Monkey burst into tears. "Where am I to go to?”
—from Monkey: Folk Novel of China, by Wu Cheng'en
Excerpt from Monkey: Folk Novel of China, by Wu Cheng’en, copyright © 1943 by John Day Company, Inc. Copyright © renewed 1970 by Alison Waley. Used by permission of Grove/Atlantic, Inc.
Analyzing Literature DBQ
1. Describing What does Monkey do in front of the disciples?
2. Identifying Points of View Why is the Patriarch angry at Monkey after discovering what Monkey has done?
3. Synthesizing Do you agree with the Patriarch that showing off can lead to great danger? Why or why not?](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/17-200210232600/85/173-the-monkey-king-text-1-320.jpg)
