Li Zhuowu criticized this Journey to the West (Volume 1 and 2)

Author: Wu Cheng'en (Ming Dynasty)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-06-01
Features: The Journey to the West is composed of parts such as the birth of the Monkey King, his rebellion in Heaven, the birth of Tang Monk, the origin of the pilgrimage, and the journey to the West, with the latter being the main storyline. The vertical actions of the pilgrimage connect the various stories, setting up numerous conflicts and climaxes in each episode (the Eighty-One Trials), alternating between thrilling and lighthearted moments. Through the trials and tribulations, the contradictions between the disciples and demons, the disciples and nature, as well as the conflicts between Tang Monk and Sun Wukong, and between Zhu Bajie and Sun Wukong, are intricately depicted, making the story magical and captivating. This book was thoroughly commented on by Ye Zhu of the Ming Dynasty, who had Li Zhuozi critique it. Although Li Zhuozi's theories were not as comprehensive and systematic as Jin Shengtan's, he inherited from Li Zhuozi and paved the way for Jin Shengtan, offering unique insights into the fantastical nature of The Journey to the West, surpassing Jin Shengtan, Mao Zonggang, and Zhang Zhupo in their denigration of the work's artistic achievement. The establishment of classical masterpieces in the history of Chinese literature is primarily due to their unique charm, but it is also greatly related to the efforts of a group of insightful literary critics who rigorously analyzed and discussed these novels after their publication. Names like Li Zhuozi, Jin Shengtan, Mao Zonggang, and Shi Yanzhai are closely associated with The Journey to the West, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Water Margin, and Dream of the Red Chamber in people's minds. They not only pioneered a new era in the history of classical Chinese fiction criticism but also enabled more readers to deeply understand the essence and charm of these classics through their critiques.
"For those who read The Journey to the West without understanding the author's intentions, it will inevitably be dismissed as trivial. I have pointed out each point to ensure the author's meaning is not lost. For example, each chapter has infinite subtleties; if one grasps its essence, it surpasses reading through a vast collection of Buddhist scriptures. The text mentions, 'The Scroll of Liberation,' suggesting that reading this book can liberate one from troubles. If one reads The Journey to the West and still faces hardships, does that not make a mockery of The Journey to the West? How can one speak of liberation when it is merely about being freed?"
The critical writings on The Journey to the West attributed to Li Zhuozi are concise yet profound, pointing directly to the core and provoking deep reflection. That monkey in the mountains could walk, leap, eat grass and herbs, drink from mountain springs, gather flowers and fruits, and live among wolves, tigers, deer, and monkeys. He slept under cliffs at night and roamed through caves during the day. Truly, "in the mountains, there is no calendar; winter ends without notice." One day, when the weather grew hot, he and the other monkeys sought refuge from the heat under the shade of pines, playing and frolicking. Look at them! Climbing trees, picking flowers and fruits, throwing pebbles, racing through sand pits, building towers, chasing dragonflies, catching mayflies, worshiping the heavens and the Buddha, weaving vines, making grass hats, picking lice, scratching and nibbling, grooming their fur, and trimming their nails. The old monkey: pushing, shoving, rubbing, pressing, pulling, and tugging. Under the green pines, they played freely; by the clear streams, they washed and splashed. After playing for a while, the monkeys went to the mountain stream for a bath. Seeing the stream's rushing water, they exclaimed, "This water must come from somewhere! Since we have nothing to do today, let's follow the stream upstream to find its source!"
Shouting, they dragged their children and called their brothers, all running together. They followed the stream and climbed the mountains until they reached its source—a waterfall cascading down. It was a magnificent sight: a white rainbow rose, a thousand feet of snow-like waves flew. The sea wind could not break it, and the moonlight still shone upon it. The cold mist divided the green peaks, and the remaining flow nourished the emerald valleys. The name "waterfall" truly described it as a curtain hanging in the sky. The monkeys cheered, "What water! What water! It seems this place is far connected to the foot of the mountain and directly reaches the waves of the sea." They said, "Whoever can dive into this waterfall and find its source will be our king! Alas! Alas! If anyone can dive in and find the source without harm, we will worship them as our king."
After calling three times, a stone monkey leaped out from the bushes and shouted, "I'll go! I'll go!" What a monkey! On this day, his fame was revealed, and his fortune was at its peak. Destined to live here, he was sent to the celestial palace. He closed his eyes, crouched, and leaped into the waterfall. When he opened his eyes, he saw a clear bridge inside—no water, no waves, just a bright bridge. He stopped, steadied himself, and looked closely. It was an iron bridge. The water below rushed through stone openings, hanging upside down and blocking the bridge. He climbed onto the bridge and looked again, as if it were a human dwelling. Truly a wonderful place!
Green moss piled blue, white clouds floated like jade. Light shimmered with mist and clouds. The windows were empty, the rooms still, the benches smooth, and the boards blooming with flowers. Dragon eggs hung in milk caves, and all kinds of rare flowers covered the ground. Kitchen stoves had fire marks near the cliffs, and wine jars were scattered with remnants of food. Stone seats and beds were lovely, and stone bowls and plates were even more impressive. There were bamboo stalks, plum blossoms, and pine trees shrouded in rain, making it seem like a human home. After admiring it for a while, he jumped to the center of the bridge. Looking around, he saw a stone tablet in the middle with large regular characters inscribed: "Fairy Mountain, Blessed Land; Water Curtain Cave, Heavenly Palace."
Everyone has such a cave and land, but few have seen it! The stone monkey was overjoyed and quickly leaped out, closing his eyes and crouching again. He jumped out of the waterfall and laughed twice, "Great fortune! Great fortune!" The monkeys surrounded him, asking, "What was inside? How deep was the water?" The stone monkey replied, "No water! No water! It was an iron bridge. Beyond the bridge was a place created by heaven and earth."