Chuang Tzu's writings include philosophical arguments that through allegorical vignettes cover various topics that try to impart practical knowledge on how to live a life that is spiritually well developed. I believe it is his hope to alter one's way of thinking to include a transcendent perspective that avoids limitations and dispels judgments. His characters include butchers, carpenters, hunchbacks, cripples such as one-foot and no-toe, the unbeautiful, madmen and robbers who educate us throughout his argument. While it might seem odd that he would use such deviants to carry his philosophical message these characters present a paradoxical quality that actually delights the reader. There is almost a magical element represented giving strength and authority to the statements made by these characters. The author uses metaphor and myth to get his point across.
             Chuang Tzu begins his book with a myth about a fish name K'un that turns into a mighty bird P'eng, allowing the reader to suspend their analytical nature and have an open mind about what he is trying to say. We know that what will be said will have cognitive importance but our critical mind is suspended allowing us to be more open. Through this story of P'eng, Chuang Tzu gets across the thematic message that a transformation to knowledge is a possibility that lies within us all. He then introduce the characters of the cicada and the small bird that doubt P'eng's ability to "rise ninety thousand li", they are the skeptics of little mind who doubt that transformation is possible. Chuang Tzu makes it clear that the cicada and small bird don't have the necessary depth or level of understanding to grasp to concept of transformation. He points out:
             "We can't expect a blind man to appreciate beautiful patterns or a deaf man to listen to bells and drums. And blindness and deafness are not confined to the body alon...