ChinaTalk Mao and the Monkey King
Sep 22, 2021
Julia Lovell, a prominent author known for her works on modern Chinese history, shares insights on the classic novel 'Journey to the West.' She delves into the origins of this literary masterpiece, focusing on the iconic character Sun Wukong. Lovell discusses Mao Zedong's surprising identification with the Monkey King and how adaptations during his reign censored over 90% of the story. The conversation also reveals the challenges of translating this rich text, highlighting themes of rebellion, humor, and cultural context.
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Mao's Mole
- The Jade Emperor in a 1960s animated Journey to the West had a mole, like Mao Zedong.
- This animation was censored during the Cultural Revolution, possibly due to this perceived criticism.
Balancing the Story
- Existing Journey to the West translations emphasize either entertainment or religious complexity.
- Julia Lovell aimed to balance both aspects in her new translation, recognizing the text's openness.
Translation Challenges
- Arthur Whaley's translation is dated and misses some puns, while Anthony Yu's is scholarly but dense.
- Journey to the West is about the quest for a better translation of Buddhist scriptures.
