Reading Notes: The Monkey King, Part A

This week I read the the unit of The Monkey King "Sun Wu Kung". The Monkey King is a very popular hero in Chinese culture. The Monkey King is so popular that he even makes appearances in various video games. I really liked reading about the legend of the Monkey King. I had always heard of him, but I never knew the actual origin story. I have been looking forward to reading this unit for a few weeks.

• Born of a magic egg on a mountain top
• He possessed the magic of the earth and the heavens
• He was the stone ape before becoming the King of the Apes
• The Monkey King was a very curious individual
• He was always pondering thought and considering the deeper meanings to life
• The Monkey King attains his name Sun Wu Kung from his master, the "Discerner"
• It seems that Sun is always over-eager to obtain answers
• Sun is always curious and seeks the truth, but at times he can become very eager
• Sun Wu Kung was always after the blessing of immortality
• He was so clever that he was able to obtain the means to immortality
• The gifts and abilities that Sun Wu Kung possess and learn are something of imagination
• I really like the emphasis that is placed on Sun's drive to obtain immortality
• I also like the pure talent that Sun possesses
• It seems that Sun's ability to understand the unordinary is what makes him so special
• Sun is very brave and courageous when it comes to saving his people
• His ability to transform himself by using a single piece of hair is remarkable
• I like the fact that the story constantly progresses to new events
• The story of the Dragon King is particularly interesting and shows the true might of Sun Wu Kong
• The venture to the Nether World sets up the second part of the reading

I am really excited for the second part of the reading. I think Sun's actions in the Nether World could be a cause for possible conflict in the future. It seems that the story continues to foreshadow events that will take place in the heavens. I am very excited to see what becomes of Sun Wu Kung once he is confronted by the Gods. There is a lot of originality in this story, and I want to give an accurate retelling.

(A cosplay of The Monkey King Sun Wu Kung. Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Bibliography: "The Ape Sun Wu Kung" from The Chinese Fairy Book by R. Wilhelm and translation by Frederick H. Martens. Source: UnTextbook