Is There Really a "Big Cabinet" in Journey to the West? Revealing the Truth Behind the Stolen Four Pilgrims

Brief Introduction

In the myriad derivative stories and online discussions surrounding Journey to the West, a confusing plot occasionally surfaces: the four pilgrims are put into a "big cabinet" while sleeping and are stolen by thieves. Many readers believe this firmly, even regarding it as a classic scene from the original work. However, as a knowledge science popularization effort, we must rigorously point out: *In Wu Cheng'en's original Journey to the West, there is no plot where the four pilgrims are put into a "big cabinet" and stolen.* This claim is likely due to later adaptations, confusion with folklore, or online misinformation.

Core Knowledge Points

1. Verification of Original Plot:
Upon reading through the 100 chapters of the original Journey to the West, the four pilgrims (Tang Monk, Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, Sha Wujing) undergo 81 tribulations. Although they are captured by monsters multiple times (such as being stuffed into bags or trapped in caves), there is never a record of them being put into a "wooden cabinet" and stolen by "thieves." Monsters typically use magic artifacts (such as the Golden Cudgel, Purple Gold Bell) or magical powers to capture them, rather than relying on ordinary containers like wooden cabinets.

2. Possible Sources of Confusion:
Other Literary Works: Chinese classical novels often feature tropes of "hiding people in cabinets" or "transporting people in boxes" (such as in Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio* or folk storybooks). Readers may have misplaced memories from different stories.
* Film and TV Adaptations: Some non-canonical comedic adaptations or anime may have designed such absurd plots for comedic effect, leading audiences to mistakenly believe it is part of the original text.
* Linguistic Misunderstanding: In classical Chinese, "Gui" (cabinet) is sometimes associated with "Gui" (ghost) or specific magical tools, but there is no specific prop name known as a "Big Cabinet."

3. Similar Predicaments in the Original:
In the original text, the pilgrims do frequently find themselves in enclosed spaces, for example:
* The Red Boy Episode: Tang Monk is captured by the monster and taken into a cave, while Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing are trapped.
* The Golden Horn King Episode: Wukong was once stuffed into a gourd or a bag.
* The Daughter Kingdom Episode: Tang Monk was accidentally pushed into the Flowing Sand River (not a cabinet).
These plots all emphasize magic and artifacts, rather than a physical "wooden cabinet."

Connection to the Book's Content

Although the "Big Cabinet" plot is false, it reflects readers' attention to the theme of "predicament" in Journey to the West. In the original work, the four pilgrims often fall into danger due to Tang Monk's gullibility or the monsters' schemes, which shares similarities with the passive situation of "being stolen." For instance, after the "Three Strikes on the White Bone Demon," Tang Monk is captured by a monster and Wukong is forced to leave. This structure of "separation and rescue" is the core narrative mode of the entire book.

Furthermore, this misinformation reminds us that when retrieving information, we must distinguish between the Original Text and Secondary Creations. As one of China's Four Great Classical Novels, Journey to the West has many versions, but the core plot should be based on the Ming Dynasty original by Wu Cheng'en. Regarding "trivia" circulating online, we should maintain critical thinking and verify with authoritative sources.

Conclusion

"The four pilgrims sleeping in a big cabinet and being stolen by thieves" is a typical literary misreading. Understanding the truth not only helps restore the true face of Journey to the West but also improves our cognitive accuracy regarding classical literature. When reading classics, returning to the original text allows us to appreciate the true fantasy and wisdom beneath Wu Cheng'en's pen.