Monkey - Journey to the West is a story that discusses religion, superstition, and the morality of right and wrong. This story has many underlying religious themes that could only be determined when delving into the story by trying to comprehend why the Monkey King does what he does.

Initially it may appear difficult in attempting to comprehend why Monkey acts the way he does. Eventually, one learns it is also a social satire in that Monkey personifies the rebellious spirit against the then untouch

The reader comes to understand the reality Hsuang-tsang's harsh life in Mao's era of the 'cultural revolution'. "When he woke up, his hands were tied behind his back, and a welt swelled behind his head" (Salzman 30). Hsuang-tsang experiences the chaos caused by Mao's Red Guards during the time of the 'cultural revolution'. Then when Hsuang-tsang plans his trip to obtain the sutra by leaving China, reality once again enters the scenario. In 1976, Chinese citizens could not visit the United States freely and this honest hero has no choice but to leave his country and enter the West illegally. This realism is transformed into fantasy when Colonel Sun, the pragmatic ancient soldier accompanies the young hero on his venture to the West. It is this character that gives the entire story a surreal and supernatural cast.

He decides that he wants to explore the ends of the universe to become immortal in order to cheat death and reincarnation. At this point of the story, one may determine that this is one of the themes; cheating the wheel of reincarnation. If one is to believe in reincarnation, he knows that cheating it would be impossible. Since Monkey decides to go ahead with his plan it is understood that he is not happy with his state of existence, for

The story of Monkey - Journey to the West is divided into three parts: an early history of Monkey's spirit; pseudo-historical account of Tripitaka's family and life before his trip to obtain the sutras in the Western Heaven and; the main story, consisting of 81 dangers and calamities encountered by Tripitaka and his three animal spirit disciples - Monkey, Pigsy, a pig spirit, and Sandy, a fish spirit.

Immortality is desire and the self and this is what Monkey desires. In the same token, Confucianism recognizes death to be one of the most important periods of one's lifetime. To desire immortality vies with this theme.

Monkey begins to realize that his prior wants and needs are not suitable to this pilgrimage at this point in the story. He begins to show the nature of a good being by becoming a disciple of Hsuang-tsang in their pilgrimage to India. At the end of the story, Buddha shows his appreciation to Monkey. He explains to him how Monkey, within his own spiritual soul, has opened his inner being to understand and accept the trust and forgiveness of others.

Hsuang-tsang had reached adulthood during the Cultural Revolution in China where he had encountered the demons of a state-run system where the freedom of mind and spirit are controlled by the political regime. He returns, after having contributed to his country's 'cultural revolution', to his surrogate father, a Buddhist spiritual master. In respect, honor and loyalty to the old man, he agrees to go on a quest for this sacred lost sutra. As fate has it, he meets up with the Colonel who agrees to accompany him to the West. In their journe

Some common words found in the essay are:
Taoism Buddhism, Lao Tzu's, East West, Middle Way', Laughing Sutra, Monkey King, Journey West, Revolution China, Slanting Moon, Red Guards, journey west, kherdian viii, monkey king, religious themes, laughing sutra, monkey journey west, monkey journey, 'cultural revolution', comes understand, monkey returns home, trust forgiveness, heaven defeat, heaven defeat monkey, reader comes understand,
Approximate Word count = 1946
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)