In the vast story of "Journey to the West", countless goblins and monsters are rampant, each with its own merits, but have you ever thought about why a seemingly incompetent white bone spirit will challenge Tang Seng again and again?
In "Journey to the West", a classic that has been passed down through the ages, the image of the white bone spirit can be described as unique. She is not from the original book, but the creative blessing of later dramas and film and television works, which makes her name resounding in the sky. In particular, the 1960 Shao drama "Three Dozen White Bone Spirits", and the 1986 CCTV "Journey to the West" TV series have made this character a well-known villain.
Why does the White Bone Spirit, a goblin who can't even defeat the land gods, have the courage and determination to dare to challenge the Great Sage Sun Wukong three times? In the story, she uses autopsy, a seemingly simple spell that allows her to escape with her life under Sun Wukong's golden hoop stick. Her image, from the nameless demon at the beginning, to the Lady of the White Bone later, and then to the White Bone Spirit as she is called by everyone, the change of her name also reflects the change of her role in the story.
The reason why the white bone spirit dared to attack Tang Seng was not only because of her cunning and changeable, but also because she accurately grasped the contradiction between Sun Wukong and Tang Seng. Every change, whether it is a beautiful woman, a kind old woman, or a cute old farmer, is a means for her to try to pry into this master-apprentice relationship.
The white bone essence is actually a profound exploration of human nature. Every time she attacks, it is not only a test for Tang Seng, but also a test for Sun Wukong's loyalty. In the process, Sun Wukong's impulsiveness and short-sightedness, Tang Seng's stubbornness and blind belief were all skillfully used by the white bone spirit, which caused a series of misunderstandings and conflicts.
And the biggest characteristic of the white bone spirit is that she dares to find hope in despair. She may know that she is no match for Sun Wukong, but her ambition and thirst for power drive her to keep trying. This spirit of never giving up, although it seems a little crazy, also makes her stand out among the many monsters in "Journey to the West".
In each of her challenges, the White Bone Spirit is not only challenging Sun Wukong's force, but also challenging the psychological defense line of the entire scripture-learning team. After each failure, she tried again, not only to challenge herself, but also to subvert the traditional power structure. Although her actions are seen as evil, they are also rebellious against the status quo.
The white bone spirit also reflects the deep meaning of "Journey to the West" as a classical mythology. In this work, youkai are not just the embodiment of evil, more often than not, they symbolize marginal characters in human society. Their rebellion and challenge are often a kind of questioning and dissatisfaction with the established rules. The repeated challenges of the White Bone Spirit can also be seen as an inquiry and reflection on the traditional moral and social order.
What is the real motive of the White Bone Spirit? Is it pure malice, or is it the pursuit of a higher power? Or is there a more complex set of emotions and plans behind her actions? Her repeated challenges may be a proof of her self-worth. In the male hero's dominance, the repeated challenge of a weak monster is undoubtedly a subversion of the traditional heroic narrative.
In the modern reinterpretation, the image of the white bone spirit is no longer a simple evil horn. Her tenacity and unyielding have even become a symbol of women's rebellion against traditional oppression. In the midst of constant failure and rebirth, the White Bone Spirit shows a kind of "heroism" that is different from traditional heroes, a kind of perseverance and courage to do it even if it is known that it cannot be done.
The classic monster in the white bone spirit "Journey to the West", she is far more than a simple villain. Every time she appears, she not only challenges Tang Seng and Sun Wukong, but also challenges our inherent views on good and evil, strength and weakness, tradition and rebellion. By delving into the White Bone Spirit, we can not only understand the classical literature of "Journey to the West" more deeply, but also reflect on the various complexities of the real world. The White Bone Spirit tells us that every seemingly insignificant character can contain extraordinary power and profound meaning.