What Is The Relationship Between Monkey And Tripitaka

A journey of enlightenment generally conjures images of strenuous meditation and introspection, unexpected hardships, and maturation. While Tripitaka and his cohort of Monkey, Pigsy, and Sandy face many tragedies, and all four grow into more learned and holy individuals, Monkey's behavior does not necessarily fit the modern idea of an enlightened being. Throughout this group's journey to the West, which is described in Wu Ch'eng-en's Monkey, Monkey often uses trickery to get his way. Over the course of the journey, while the reasoning and intentions behind Monkey's actions do change, he remains dependent on his deceptive nature to achieve his goals. Monkey is depicted as deceitful in his early years in Heaven, more than 500 years before he
He saves Blue Orchid from her condition by changing "himself into the exact image of" her and "waiting for the monster to return" (150). Following this, a fight ensues, which ends with Pigsy joining the trek to India. Here again, Monkey achieves his goal of freeing Blue Orchid through deceiving Pigsy of his true identity. However, Monkey's intentions are no longer of greed but rather of assisting Tripitaka, because by getting rid of Mr. Kao's problem, Monkey and Tripitaka are given a place to rest for the night. A comical nature is also associated with Monkey's trickery during this challenge. When Pigsy is fooled of Blue Orchid's presence, he "tried to kiss" Monkey, which was responded to with "a great clout on the nose" (151). Monkey's comical response suggests that, while trickery allows him to reach his goals, deceit also allows him to engage in humorous behavior, something that is inherent to Monkey's personality. Soon after the journey to India begins, it is clear that Monkey remains deceitful, but his reasoning has shifted from personal greed to helping Tripitaka and having a laugh at the same