Deck 10: China: Nü Kwa, Kuan Yin, and Monkey

Question 1

The process of linking a mythological story with a historical figure is called _____________________.

A) euhemerism
B) mythopoesis
C) historicism
D) aetiology

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Kuan Yin is respected in Chinese mythology for her ________________.

A) creation of the world
B) military science
C) compassion
D) beauty

Answer 2

C

Question 3

In Chinese mythology, Nü Kwa created humans because she ____________________.

A) wanted to have worshippers
B) had bet Fu His she could
C) needed help
D) was lonely

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Although various versions of the Nü Kwa myth describe her differently, she always has _______________

A) a cloven hoof
B) a serpent tail
C) a dazzling face
D) golden hair

Question 5

"Cord-made men" refers to _________________.

A) workers in the rope trade
B) mass-produced humans
C) the rich and noble classes
D) those chosen by the gods

Question 6

Some versions of the Nü Kwa myth demonstrate the ______________ of why Chinese rivers flow eastward.

A) aetiology
B) hierogamy
C) euhemerism
D) tradition

Question 7

The most important effect(s) of Nü Kwa's overcoming the disastrous conditions after the supports of the world were broken was/were:

A) seasonal and cosmic order were restored
B) harmony between beasts and humans was restored
C) communication between heaven and earth was restored
D) a, b, and c
E) a and c

Question 8

The Taoist version of the Nü Kwa myth seems to value her less than other versions because in it ____________.

A) she is no longer an independent primeval deity
B) she is a lesser goddess in the Taoist pantheon
C) she has lost her prestige and power
D) a, b, and c
E) a and c

Question 9

Early Chinese scholars presented questions about Nü Kwa, such as: __________________________________.

A) If Nü Kwa had a body before she created humans, who created it?
B) If she was the first to have a body, what was the standard?
C) What prototype did she use for her human creations?
D) a, b, and c
E) a and c

Question 10

As an extension of his reliance on "superior men" as the leaders of society, ________________ considered women clearly inferior to men.

A) Confucius
B) Buddha
C) Tao
D) Yü the Great
E) the Jade Emperor

Question 11

Monkey uses a ________________ as a weapon.

A) brass drum
B) retractable needle
C) lariat
D) golden whip
E) cloud

Question 12

Monkey is released from his stone box in order to_______________________________________.

A) keep the sun in the sky
B) keep demon kings at bay
C) find the peaches of immortality for Hsi Wang Mu
D) protect monk on a quest to find scriptures
E) save the countryside from a dragon who eats horses

Question 13

Before Monkey is imprisoned in stone, his job is to________________________________________.

A) amuse the celestials with acrobatic tricks
B) provide salts and spices
C) look after horses in the Imperial Stables
D) map the stars

Question 14

Disguised as an old woman, Kuan Yin brings a cap and robe for Monkey that will serve to____________________.

A) help him develop restraint
B) help him improve his fighting ability
C) keep him young
D) improve his awareness of spirits
E) allow him to masquerade as a horse

Question 15

Journey to the West describes the journey undertaken by________________.

A) Kuan Yin
B) Yü the Great
C) Tripitaka
D) Nü Kwa
E) Hsi Wang Mu

Question 16

Monkey tricks his opponents into drinking the pilgrims'________________.

A) urine
B) water
C) sacred wine
D) blood
E) beer

Question 17

Lisa Ann Raphals notes that Tripitaka is represented as lacking in all of the following except ________________.

A) sound judgment
B) compassion
C) observational skills
D) resources
E) a horse

Question 18

The Monkey King achieves immortality before_________________________________.

A) the main adventure starts
B) the main adventure ends
C) the death of Tripitaka
D) none of the above

Question 19

Monkey's trip represents a chance for him to redeem himself from a sentence of eternal punishment for his ______________ways.

A) devious
B) sexually provocative
C) evil
D) overbearing
E) humble

Question 20

Śramana refers to a monk who devotes himself to achieving ________________.

A) perfection
B) forgiveness
C) immortality
D) enlightenment
E) top physical form

Question 21

"Yin-yang," a representation of nature's cyclical processes and opposite forces at work in the universe, is a symbol based on _________________ philosophy.

Question 22

Confucianism and _____________________ considered the feminine as fearsome and destructive, although necessary in the procreating process.

Question 23

___________________ accepted women as a power implicit in nature's cyclical process.

Question 24

In this chapter, we learn that "Nü Kwa could transform herself at will." Gods and spirits with this ability are called ______________________.

Question 25

In traditional Chinese belief, Nü Kwa was worshipped as a _________________ deity and prayed to by women who wished for children.

Question 26

In the story about Nü Kwa's sexual relationship with her brother, the pair made a ___________ to hide their faces.

Question 27

In very ancient times, Nü Kwa brought order to a chaotic cosmos by mending a hole in ____________________.

Question 28

Because of her reputed compassion, tenderness, and love, ___________________ is often represented with a thousand arms.

Question 29

In this chapter, Bettina Knapp provides a(n) ______________________ analysis of a myth, explaining that it concerns the ritual and theological matters found in it.

Question 30

The term _______________________ is used to describe the marriage of a deity and a human.

Question 31

Although the main thrust of this novel is from the philosophy of ____________, it incorporates Confucian and Taoist teachings as well.

Question 32

Hera Walker explains that, in focusing on a sacred monkey, the novel shows influence from the country of __________as well as from China.

Question 33

Anthony Yu explains that the "cherished inviolable law of the monk's faith," is the Buddhist injunction not to ______________________.

Question 34

Like most tricksters, Monkey is not imposing in_______________________________________.

Question 35

The story of the Monkey King is based on an actual historical figure, ________________.

Question 36

"Heaven dropped this mountain in order to imprison a magic monkey under it" is an instance in which a/an ________________________________insight can be derived from myth.

Question 37

The Monkey King is associated with creation through his role as a culture hero in retrieving Buddhist __________.

Question 38

The names of the six robbers that Monkey confronts trace the development of sin from the_________________.

Question 39

The one thing Monkey had never been able to bear was to be ____________________.

Question 40

Another name for Sun Wukong is _________________________________.