y criticizes this series - Li Zuowu criticizes this / Journey to the West ()

Author: Li Zhuowu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: The Journey to the West is composed of parts such as the Monkey King's birth, his rebellion in Heaven, Tang Monk's birth, the origin of the pilgrimage, and the journey to the West, with the latter being the main storyline. The vertical narrative of the pilgrimage connects each story, setting various conflicts within each (the Eighty-One Tribulations) to create numerous climaxes, alternating between thrilling and light-hearted moments. Through the process of one tribulation after another, the complex conflicts between the disciples and demons, between the disciples and the natural environment, as well as the clashes between Tang Monk and Sun Wukong, and between Zhu Bajie and Sun Wukong are intricately depicted, making the story magical and captivating. This book features comprehensive annotations by Ye Zhu of the Ming Dynasty, performed under the pseudonym of Li Zhuowu. Although his annotation theory is not as comprehensive and systematic as Jin Shengtan's, he builds upon Li Zhuowu and paves the way for Jin Shengtan, offering unique insights into the fantastical nature of The Journey to the West. He is far superior to Jin Shengtan, Mao Zonggang, and Zhang Zhubo, who denied and disparaged the artistic achievements of The Journey to the West. 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 commented on these novels after their publication. Names like Li Zhuowu, 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 example, "Readers of The Journey to the West who do not understand the author's intention will inevitably produce trivial discussions. I have pointed out each point, so as not to let the author's meaning go unnoticed. For instance, each chapter has infinite subtleties. If one grasps its essence, it surpasses reading through a vast collection of scriptures. The text mentions, 'The Transmission of Liberation from Afflictions,' suggesting that reading this book can liberate one from troubles. If after reading The Journey to the West, one's troubles remain unresolved, does that not mean The Journey to the West has been wasted? How can one speak of liberation when mere release is not achieved?"
Annotations on The Journey to the West attributed to Li Zhuowu, such as these, are concise yet profound, striking at the core without elaboration, yet capable of pointing directly to the essence and provoking deep reflection.