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Tze-Yo-Tzuh
A monk who, according to the narrator, isn’t special in any notable way—he can’t meditate for more than 20 minutes or fast for more than half a day. He does, however, devote himself to Tze-Yo-Tzuh. He emulates what he believes Tze-Yo-Tzuh would do by faithfully care for neighboring vagrants every day, despite their rudeness. This devotion and belief in Tze-Yo-Tzuh’s love and positive regard culminates in Tze-Yo-Tzuh’s emissaries sending Wong Lai-Tsao on a mission to carry three parcels to the west. One of the disciples that Tze-Yo-Tzuh promises Wong Lai-Tsao is the Monkey King. In his conversations with the Monkey King, Wong Lai-Tsao shows that he fully trusts in Tze-Yo-Tzuh’s love, protection, and plan for his life—and he encourages the Monkey King to do the same. Wong Lai-Tsao is wise, and is able to make the Monkey King see that he has the power to free himself from the mountain trapping him, if only he accepts who and what he truly is.
Wong Lai-Tsao Quotes in American Born Chinese
The American Born Chinese quotes below are all either spoken by Wong Lai-Tsao or refer to Wong Lai-Tsao. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 7
Quotes
“The form you have taken is not truly your own. Return to your true form and you shall be freed.”
“Is there no end to your stupidity, you sod?! That seal above me prevents me from exercising kung-fu!”
“Returning to your true form is not an exercise of kung-fu, but a release of it.”
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“Mortal, there are demons behind you.”
“Yes. I am aware of them. That is why I ask you to free yourself quickly.”
“And if I refuse?”
“If it is the will of Tze-Yo-Tzuh for me to die for your stubbornness, then I accept.”
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“To find your true identity...within the will of Tze-Yo-Tzuh...that is the highest of all freedoms.”
“So is your ‘true identity’ the supper of two demons?”
“Perhaps...is yours the eternal prisoner...of a mountain of rock?”
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Wong Lai-Tsao Quotes in American Born Chinese
The American Born Chinese quotes below are all either spoken by Wong Lai-Tsao or refer to Wong Lai-Tsao. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 7
Quotes
“The form you have taken is not truly your own. Return to your true form and you shall be freed.”
“Is there no end to your stupidity, you sod?! That seal above me prevents me from exercising kung-fu!”
“Returning to your true form is not an exercise of kung-fu, but a release of it.”
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
“Mortal, there are demons behind you.”
“Yes. I am aware of them. That is why I ask you to free yourself quickly.”
“And if I refuse?”
“If it is the will of Tze-Yo-Tzuh for me to die for your stubbornness, then I accept.”
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
“To find your true identity...within the will of Tze-Yo-Tzuh...that is the highest of all freedoms.”
“So is your ‘true identity’ the supper of two demons?”
“Perhaps...is yours the eternal prisoner...of a mountain of rock?”
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
