The Master and Margarita Group Read: Part 1

Thank you for joining our little group read of The Master and the Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov. I'm hoping we can support and encourage each other as we read, share thoughts and impressions, and discuss variations in our translations. Even if you have read M&M in the past, please feel free to drop by and share your insights.

The starting gun will sound on May 17th.

Other LTers have blazed a trail for us with previous group reads of M&M -- it might be fun to see what they had to say. Here are a few threads I stumbled upon.

Regarding translations:

The Master and Margarita: What edition are you reading?

A discussion of the pros and cons of the Pevear and Burgin translations

Discussions:

Le Salon littéraire du peuple pour le peuple Group Read 1
Le Salon littéraire du peuple pour le peuple Group Read 2

The 11 in 11 Challenge Group Read

Thanks for starting the thread. Now I just need my book to arrive. It will be the Pevear and Volokhonsky translation.

I loved The Master and Margarita and will be following your thread, even though I won't be rereading it. I read the Pevear and Volokhonsky translation (the cover on the right, above) and really appreciated their introduction and notes.

Since I am not the fastest of readers, I started last night with the introduction to the Pevear and Volokhonsky translation. It was helpful in providing a bit of context for both the period and the book. This is going to be a great discussion.

Good idea, Linda. I think I'll do the same thing this weekend.

Excellent. I'll have to dig out my copy from whatever pile or hidey-hole I've stashed it in to join.

I'm considering joining in, if you don't mind. I've been feeling like reading something Russian and I know I'll get much more out of this book as a group read. I requested the book from the library. They only had 1 translation available, by Glenny, so I'll go with that unless I really dislike it.

#3 Hopefully your book won't come too soon, Dan, I need to finish A Small Fortune first!

#4 I'm glad you'll be stopping in Rebecca. I'll look forward to your comments.

#5 Thanks for the suggestion, Linda. I'll do the same.

#6 I'll join you, Darryl, in reading the introduction this weekend.

#7-8 Welcome Jane and japaul22! I'm glad you will be joining us. I hadn't mentioned the Glenny translation, but I'm glad you'll bring that translation to bear in our discussion. I also have an old, yellow mass market paperback version of M&M that is translated by Mirra Ginsburg that I may compare to the others. It has no notes, which is one reason why I chose to purchase a new copy (the Burgin and O'Connor translation).

I may jump in too. I read this eons ago and no longer have that edition, but I suspect it was a "no name" translation. It has been replaced with the Glenny translation on the TBRR pile, so this is a good time to revisit. I do like Pevear and Volokhonsky translations though. Tempting to investigate their version too.

I just finished this book LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So I will follow this thread and throw a comment in every now and then.

Care if I join this read, too? I read The Master and Margarita a few years back, but it was a Penguin Red edition, without any notes. I've been dying to get a copy with ample notes ever since, so I'll look into the available translations. As a bonus, I also have Laura Weeks's Master and Margarita: A Critical Companion, the wisdom of which I will share with you guys.

Ann - glad you will follow.

SassyLassy & Dewald, you are welcome and encouraged to join.

I have no idea what to expect from this book (I don't even have the book yet!), but what a great group to read it with.

My book has arrived a day early, but I still plan to start Thursday. It's 400 pages, but somehow feels smaller than I expected.

Yea! Let the reading begin! I will join you as soon as I finish A Small Fortune and review it for ER.

I read M&M some years ago, but I felt at the time that I might be missing something, so I'd like to reread it along with you all. (I just scrolled through this thread while squinting, like watching a horror movie, because I didn't want to see any spoilers - happy to see I'm not too far behind others).

ETA: mine's the Glenny translation as well.

I read the first five chapters of M&M last night, and I am enthralled. First, I want to give a big shoutout to Rebecca for encouraging me to get an annotated edition. The notes in my edition (translated by Burgin and O'Connor) are written by Ellendea Proffer, Bulgakov's biographer and the person who decided which version of Bulkagov's novel to have translated for this edition. According to her, there are two main Russian versions of the text: one prepared by Anna Saakyants for a 1973 edition and one by Lidiya Yanovskaya published in 1989 in Kiev and then 1990 in Moscow. Since Bulgakov finished the novel in 1939, but died in Mar 1940 before completing his final proof, there are many versions of sections floating around. Some sections clearly seem to have been revised and finalized, in others it is unclear if he was tending toward returning to an earlier draft or not. In general, it seems that he finished revisions to the first part but not the second. He knew he was dying, so towards the end he focused on parts he considered the most important, especially the first and last chapters of Part 2. To make things more confusing, he was self-censoring in anticipation of the Soviet censors. He was correct in his apprehension: the novel appeared in a censored version only in the 1960s, during a thaw. (All according to Proffer)

As regards the comparisons between translations of the novel's opening paragraph, typed into the thread The Master and Margarita: What edition are you reading?, Proffer notes:

Since Bulgakov rewrote until he became too ill to do so, many variants exist of a given section (the first paragraph is a good case in point...

So it may be that not only are those opening paragraphs different because of translation, but the translators may have been working from different versions of the same paragraph.

Fascinating stuff.

Next, I realized how wholly unprepared I am for getting the most out of M&M. From my reading of only the first five chapters, here is a list of works Bulgakov refers to or used in his research (according to Proffer):

Faust by Goethe, of course, but also Gounod's opera Faust
Symphonie fantastique and The Damnation of Faust by Berlioz
Immanuel Kant's proofs for the existence of God
Life of Jesus by David Strauss
Death of Ivan Ilyich by Tolstoy
Epistolae by Pope Sylvester II
Aida by Verdi
Pontius Pilate by Anatole France
histories by Flavius Josephus and Tacitus
The Gentleman from San Francisco by Bunin
La vie de Jesus by Renan
Apocryphal New Testament of Nicodemus
the works of Philo of Alexandria
Woe from Wit by Griboyedov
Hallelujah! by Vincent Youman
Gogol
etc.

Frankly, I had to refresh my understanding of the Stations of the Cross, the life of Pontius Pilate, and the Sanhedrin.

Despite my close attention to the end notes (which I wish were footnotes), I am loving the story.

Housekeeping proposal: since we don't all read at the same speed, I would like to suggest that we preface discussion of a certain chapter with a bold title (i.e. Chapter 1). That way readers who are trying to avoid even a hint of spoilers can do so.

Thank you!

The Master and Margarita is one of my favorite books so I'll be following this thread with interest. I read two different versions - I think it was the Glenny and Burgin - but it was so far apart that I didn't remember any specific differences.

Interesting list at #18.

Lisa - I'm pathetically intimidated. I read the intro yesterday and put the book down with some strange fear that was, maybe, about something like my not being a good enough reader to appreciate everything that went into this.

Then I began the first chapter this morning, just read a bit. Fears were obediently held in restraint.

About your housekeeping proposal - I'm not personally worried about spoilers, but I can appreciate that others may be and I'm happy to follow this convention.

#21 Dan, I am sure I didn't "appreciate everything that went into" The Master and Margarita, but I loved it nonetheless. I am almost tempted to reread it with all of you, but I have so many other books I want to read . . .

Love the idea of The housekeeping proposal so people can be free to comment on the actual book.

I've just started reading. I was surprised when I picked up my book from the library to get the Burgin/O'Connor translation instead of the Glenny in the on line record. So that is the one I'll be reading. I like it so far, though I've only read a few chapters.

The notes are kind of overwhelming, especially since, as Lisa said, they are end notes instead of footnotes in this edition. Lisa, how are you reading them? So far, I'm reading the entire chapter and then flipping to the pack to read the end notes and look up the text if I don't remember the context. Not sure if that's the best way though as I'm not sure I'm understanding everything as I read it.

#21 Hi Dan. I'm sorry you are feeling intimidated, my posts didn't help. I felt that way about The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle. But, so far I'm finding M&M to be more accessible and fast moving than I feared. Might you try ignoring all the notes and just read for a bit and see if you get into the story? I'm finding the plot quite compelling. The rest could either be described as icing on the cake or intellectual mast********. Having studied a couple of years of Russian and some Russian/Soviet history and literature, I am having a blast looking for hidden meanings and obscure references. And I'm sure I'm just skimming the surface. But I also think the story can be enjoyed without all the hubbabaloo. I do hope you stay with it. What chapter are you on?

#24 As regards notes, I started off reading every note in its place, but it was too cumbersome. So now I'm skimming the notes for the chapter to pick up names and definitions, but leaving the explanations for after I've read the chapter. Not having read Faust for eons and not being Christian, a lot of things are leaving me blissfully unaware, but I'm okay with that. I'm getting caught up in the story and the mood (is the cat not the creepiest thing ever?) and trying not to let esoteric references hold me back too much. It's a book I think I will definitely reread at some point after I've reread Faust.

CHAPTER 1

I was amazed at how quickly the story picks up momentum. Some of it was confusing (like the transparent man), but by the end of the chapter I knew much more about the devil than I expected to at this point. One thing that struck me is that he is so honest. Isn't that strange? I also think of the devil as a liar. I was also surprised by how Bulgakov's humor. The back and forth musing of Berlioz and Bezdomny regarding the devil's nationality was very funny, I thought.

CHAPTER 2

I found the story of Pontius Pilate to be quite interesting, but I have no reference points for knowing how historically or doctrinally accurate the story is. It seems Bulgakov did his homework, but I am unable to know what sort of spin he is putting on things. Would anyone be willing to share their thoughts on this? One thing I picked up on is that Yeshua Ha-Notsri is as honest as the devil, but is punished for it, whereas the devil uses honesty to amaze, confound, and create mayhem. Quite a twist on the same virtue.

#25 - I've read chapters 1 & 2. It's comfortable to read so far, working my way into it. The tone somehow reminds me of The Magic Mountain.

#26 - first, I love this post. I don't think the Devil is exactly honest. He is manipulative and playful. What he says is generally the truth, but he has not been forthcoming. Still, very interesting to compare to Yeshua, who is confusing to me just now.

So, i need a quick summary of the life of Jesus. Yeshua seems to be presented as a nobody, a small time trouble maker who happened to annoy the wrong people. Wasn't there some kind of sermon on the mount, wasn't he a big deal at this point, and not simply another criminal for Pilate to address?

About the notes - I read them as I come access them, using two bookmarks to flip back and forth. In general I have found them extra, not necessary. But very interesting to see what Bulgakov uses as sources and how much Roman trivia he adds in. He really knew his early Christian history and documents.

The one thing I might add from having read the book (and can't add more now as I'm away from both book and computer and on iPhone) is that I think Bulgakov is partly using early Christian history to comment on Stalinist Russia.

I'm in the middle of Chapter 13 and I'm so curious about the different versions and translations. I have the Kindle edition of the Pevear and Volokhonsky translation, and while it is easy to navigate to the notes, I am not sure they are helping me much. There was one in chapter 10 that made me laugh:

"take it there personally": Another oblique reference to the secret police. By now the reader should recognize the manner.

But no, I would never have guessed and I'm still not sure I get it. I am pretty much taking the approach of just enjoying the story for now, appreciating the deeper context where I can and planning to think more about it later.

Chapter 2

The Pontius Pilate story is probably my favorite part so far, maybe because I could make some sense of it. Bulgakov's version seems generally consistent with the biblical story of Pilate's reluctance to execute Jesus, although he doesn't include the "washing his hands" of responsibility scene.

>27 dchaikin: The High Priest's reaction to Yeshua is based on his concern that he is already gaining influence with the people and may challenge the rule of Caesar. I interpreted this as an indication that Yeshua was clearly more than a nobody and is in fact viewed as a threat.

I thought that Bulgakov seemed to include this story both as a way of foreshadowing that the stranger is the devil and also to draw a parallel with the Stalinist system. Yeshua is unable to receive a fair trial and Pilate as an official acts in a manner inconsistent with his own ethics and beliefs, feeling he has no other choice. Perhaps these were occurrences that the author saw frequently in his own government?

I wondered also at the ending of the chapter, as it seems to be a connection to something later on: It was around ten o'clock in the morning. My version's introduction indicates that the Pilate story is told through four chapters. And that there is a connection in the stories of Pilate and the Master. So more to come!

>26 labfs39: I don't think it will be a spoiler to say that the devil increasingly shows his true nature as the story advances.

There's so much to discuss! I'll have to come back when I have a bit more time.

Chapter 2

#29 What is interesting to me is that it is the Sanhedrin that creates the trap for Yeshua, not the Romans. So there is a fear of Y's power, but I'm thinking it is the Sanhedrin which is afraid (of new ideas? heresy? competition?), not the Romans. The Sanhedrin would love to get rid of the Romans, but I don't think the Romans seem afraid of that possibility at the moment. They seem self-assured after they put down the revolt over the aqueduct, and Pontius, at least, doesn't seem to want to use Yeshua to cause another revolt. He wants to let him go.

Under Stalin, people lived in fear of being turned in by their friends and neighbors, similar to what happens to Yeshua. The Soviets never knew whom to trust. Even children were taught to turn in their parents. Your comment, Linda, about Pilate acting in a manner consistent with the rules but inconsistent with his conscience is so reflective of bureaucrats in the Stalinist regime. Like Pilate they feared that if they didn't play along, they would be replaced by someone who would.

Chapter 7

I found this chapter with its covetousness of apartment space and seeming power of the house manager to be quite subversive for the 1930s. There are such horror stories about urban housing in the Soviet era. The apartment is so large and exclusive, it is passed from a dissolute member of the new intelligensia to new money, so to speak, with very little adherence to rules, just greasing of palms. That practice would continue for decades to come. And I think that for the middle man to be ratted out is an example of how tenuous everyone's position was, even those who thought themselves safe.

I've got to say, I found the passage where Azazello asks to throw Styopa "out of Moscow straight to hell", but instead the cat says "Shoo!" and Styopa ends up in Yalta to be quite funny. I don't know where cats go when they are shooed away, but I doubt it's Yalta!

I'm loving it so far, although I am not surprised I couldn't remember what it was 'about', as right now, 130 pages in, I couldn't really say...

Reading everyone's comments above, I feel quite lucky that my version has neither intro nor notes (it was published in 1968, and the cover says, "the complete, unexpurgated edition - still banned in Russia"). I am sure I am missing all sorts of allusions and references but it does allow me to enjoy the story without breaking it up.

Chapter 2 - very interesting to see everyone's close readings of this chapter. I thought it was a very daring decision to have a completely different story in such length in chapter two. It worked, I think, because it was so well-written, so I was gripped and interested instead of just wondering what it was doing there.

Wandering through these: maps

I love this post from the le Salon group read on the Chase Chapter 4: http://www.macumbeira.com/2009/06/master-and-margarita-exercise-in.html

Chapters 4-6

#33 I love the link you posted, Dan. Another religious reference that went completely over my head. I did try to follow Ivan's run through Moscow with the Catholic stations of the cross. I found a few. Did anyone else try?

Christ condemned to death;

(although it was Berlioz whose death was predicted, Ivan's future as a schizophrenic is also predicted-a sort of intellectual/social death)

the cross is laid upon him;

(he must unmask and capture Woland)

His first fall;

(...he fell with a crash and hit his knee.)

He meets His Blessed Mother;

(the naked woman in apartment 47?)

Simon of Cyrene is made to bear the cross;
Christ's face is wiped by Veronica;
His second fall;

(someone tried to stop him on Skatertny Lane)

He meets the women of Jerusalem;
His third fall;

(someone tried to stop him on Bronnaya Street, but I jumped over a fence and, as you see, scraped my cheek!)

He is stripped of His garments;

(at the Moscow River? or later at the sanitarium?)

His crucifixion;

(kept against his will in the sanitorium and diagnosed schizophrenic?)

His death on the cross;
His body is taken down from the cross; and
laid in the tomb.

Or do the first stations refer to Berlioz?

Christ condemned to death;

(Berlioz's death predicted)

the cross is laid upon him;

(to turn Woland into the police)

His first fall;

(B falls under the streetcar)

He meets His Blessed Mother;

(sees the face of the female tram driver coming toward him)

Simon of Cyrene is made to bear the cross;

(Ivan must now pursue Woland alone)

>32 dchaikin:-33 These are great resources, Daniel. Thanks for posting the links.

>34 labfs39: Wow, Lisa. It never occurred to me that Bulgakov was following the Stations of the Cross.

I am at Chapter 15 now, feeling very dumb, but planning to finish up Part I before revisiting each chapter with a more analytical eye. I am so glad to be doing this with you as a GR, as I would otherwise be missing so much.

Thanks for all of the informative posts, everyone! I'm on Chapter 10 and I'm sorry that I don't have much to add. I'm learning much more from all of your insights than my own! I was very proud of myself that I realized that the 3 forms the devil takes correspond to the trinity - which I then found clearly stated in my end notes. :-\ So nothing but the obvious is making an impression on me!

Anyway, I'm enjoying the book on the level that I'm reading it and interested in all of the comments you are making.

"I was very proud of myself that I realized that the 3 forms the devil takes correspond to the trinity"

oh...

Is anyone else finding that this reminds them of The Dream Life Of Sukhanov?

The group read rocks.........................

In Chapter 1 it really reminds just how sneaky the devil can be. He is just honest enough to be able to twist the facts into a complete lie just like Satan was able to do back in the Garden of Eden. And just think if you were having a conversation with a complete stranger and they talked about your death and also could tell you about a private conversation. Would you actually take that person seriously or dismiss him???? HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Chapter 2 Pontius Pilate is soo human with fears just like everyone else, the headache and the fear of coming under Roman judgement and then just wanting everything and everyone to be gone to spend time with the only living being his dog. This Chapter ALMOST make me feel sorry for poor Pilate but then again nahhhhhhhhh.

In these two Chapter I love the way they were tied together. Since the Devil was able to know what was going on in the minds of the two Russians and foretell the furture then in Chapter 2 Yeshua was also able to tells what was on Pilate mind and tell of the future of the Roman empire. And how both installs fear.

Pilate is in over his head.

Observations through Chapter 11

>29 Linda92007: & 30
I thought that Bulgakov seemed to include this story both as a way of foreshadowing that the stranger is the devil and also to draw a parallel with the Stalinist system. Yeshua is unable to receive a fair trial and Pilate as an official acts in a manner inconsistent with his own ethics and beliefs, feeling he has no other choice. Perhaps these were occurrences that the author saw frequently in his own government?

In addition to Pilate being a parallel to the Stalinist system, I'm thinking a lot about how the devil is a parallel as well. I'm considering that the chaos that the devil seems to revel in causing might be similar to the way the government used surprise (unexpected arrests, etc.) to keep the citizens guessing and always a little bit afraid. Unfortunately, I don't really know that much about the Stalin era so I may be off on this thought.

On a lighter note, I think it's kind of funny how the characters keep using the word "devil" in their every day language. I wonder if it's my translation, but there are many times where the word creeps in casually. One example - towards the end of chapter 11, Ivan says "But instead, I got obsessed with the devil knows what!". These types of phrases are all over and make me chuckle!

I finally started last night, but I've only read the first two chapters so far. I'll try to read ~50 pages per night during this work week, and finish the book this coming weekend. I'll post some thoughts about it once I get a little further into it.

Wow ! This is interesting !!!

Darryl - I was reading chapter 9 this morning and felt a breeze, thought it might be you reading right on past me. : )

Hi Mac!

For those who don't know, Mac co-led the le Salon group read of this book, and had led other wonderful group reads there, including Thomas Mann's The Magic Mountain. It was his post I link to about chapter 4. To embarrass him, Mac's literary takes are brilliant, always brilliant. His blog is worth some lengthy exploration.

chapter 7

Poor Styopa shifted completely (again) my mental approach to the book. This time it took a slight turn through the Terry Pratchet part of my brain, only a moment...I think the Cat was eating a pickled mushroom at the time. In any case, I feel I'm mentally beginning to align properly with the tone now.

I've read chapter 5 twice, love all the brief characterizations, even the cowboy-esque pirate. For all the literary bleakness indicated here, what a rich group.

I know I'm over-simplifying, but Woland makes me think of Stalin, and the Doctor with the pointed mustache (who is later called Dr. Stravinsky) makes me think of Trotsky.

Yalta

I've just finished the book and have several questions/comments. I noticed that the thread is titled Part 1. Should I wait for a different thread to make comments on the entire book?

What a fantastic book! Thanks for the push to read it now!

I just took my copy off the shelf and am seriously considering rereading it with all of you.

Chapter 3-6
Can you only amazin talking to a guy that not only tells you of your death, but remembering the details as it is happening as with Berlioz? An then poor Ivan you cant help but to feel for the poor guy. And after all of that I think I would more then be happy to retire to a hospital for Schizophreniz. And then the fat cat I do find him entertaining.

I have to admit I have not done that much reading about Russia during the Stalin years so I am taking the book at face value instead of trying to compare it to the times when the book was written. But I do find all of the comments interesting and am making a mental note to do some reading and then going back and re-reading this gem.

>44 dchaikin: That breeze wasn't me, Dan! I'm the turtle plodding along in last place. I probably won't make much headway until after Memorial Day, due to my long work week. I'm still at the beginning of chapter 3.

#50 - maybe it was just the schizophrenia.

Yesterday I met the Master with his little hat with the stitched M.

It so strange, this book makes me (1) re-access how I pictured the 1930's and (2) for the first time try to picture life in the USSR in the 1930's. The story just seems so modern.

I am officially totally freaked out by black cats now. I'm reading Peer Gynt and the slight mention of a cat instantly brought up creepy visions of Behemoth. Wonder how long this will last . . .

I have two of them (well, one has white shirt under his tuxedo), but they are still kittens and just look so innocent.

#35 I feel as though there are so many layers to the book, every comment here brings out another dimension that I hadn't thought of. I'm very glad you are reading with us, Linda.

#36 I too have had the experience of thinking I've discovered something, only to then read about it in the notes in much more detail, japaul22. At least we know we're on the right track!

#37 :-p Dan!

#38 I'm curious about your comment, wandering_star. Are there specific things about Dream Life of Sukhanov that you were thinking of? I find it incredible that Bulgakov wrote so openly and satirically about life in the 30s, and I'm very surprised that he survived the Great Purges of 1937-38. It's very curious. Has anyone read more about Bulgakov's life during this time? Or could anyone recommend a good biography? I find his switching sides during the Civil War intriguing as well.

#39 I love how you tie together the first two chapters, alwinn. At first the second chapter seemed like a digression; I was thinking it was a lot to write to stress the point that the devil was old and omniscient; and that God, and therefore the devil, existed. But then I began to see the parallels. Betrayal is such a strong theme. Chapter 15 could have been taken from a memoir of the 30s, well with some satirical elements. The scene where Nikolai Kanavkin confesses to having hard currency, and then is continued to be held and harassed until he betrays his aunt, was quite sad. That's how some people survived, by turning in someone else. Sometimes they were then released, but often they both were pumped for more names, until a whole web of friends and family were taken down, despite all being innocent.

#40 I agree, Dan. I did feel sorry for Pilate, but then I am ignorant of the history Christian version, so it is easy to sway me to pity, both in this chapter and in chapter 16.

#41 Interesting point about the use of the word "devil" in the text, japaul22. My translation is peppered with it as well. Interestingly, in a note on chapter 18, Ellendea Proffer comments on the appearance of the words "for Christ's sake" in the text. It is, she says, "the only mention of Christ in the novel, as opposed to the hundreds of casual mentions of the devil." I went back and tried to see if there was some special meaning hidden behind this one use of the word, but was unsuccessful. It is uttered by the bartender when he is thrown out of apartment #50 and the naked redhead pursues him. Berlioz's uncle is hiding in the closet listening. Did anyone come up with some special significance here?

#42 I'm glad you're going to be able to join us, Darryl!

#43 Isn't the book endlessly fascinating?

#44 **Note to self: must read Mac's thread**

#41/ #54 wondering how often we find "God" instead of "the devil". I found it twice in chapter 19, when Margarita is listening to Natasha "telling her God knows what", and when Azazello tells her the Master is alive, she says, 'Oh, God!....

#45 Poor Styopa shifted completely (again) my mental approach to the book. This time it took a slight turn through the Terry Pratchet part of my brain, only a moment...I think the Cat was eating a pickled mushroom at the time.

LOL. I too feel as though there is no terra firma here, Dan. What a wild story! I'm beginning to find the Cat a bit terrifying though. Never did like cats...

#46 And thanks for these great photos, too. I got a real shudder at first, as I thought those were bodies on top of the rocks in the second picture. *Shiver*

#47 I envy you finishing, japaul22. My week has been so crazy that I've had very little time to read, and I'm worried it will adversely effect my ability to "get" the book. Yes, I intended to create a second thread for part 2 (Chapters 19 and on). But perhaps if we stick to our agreement to bold the chapter number, or in your case, bold the words Entire Book or some such, we can get by. What do people think?

#48 Oh, please do, Rebecca. I would love to hear your thoughts!

#49 Chapter 6 Being in the asylum does seem safer than being on the street, alwinn, but I worry about who is influencing that doctor. He causes the schizophrenia after all...

#50 I, too, have been overwhelmingly busy this week, Darryl. Every day I tried to make time for LT and M&M. *sigh* Why does life have to interfere with reading?!

#51 The story just seems so modern. I agree, Dan. And yet the Soviet context is so pervasive. Big brother, Stalin, watching and knowing, seemingly everything.

#52 I am officially totally freaked out by black cats now. The cat seems so funny at first, trying to put coins in the streetcar meter. Not, so much anymore. And your comment makes me even more apprehensive, japaul22.

#53 So you think now, Dan!

Chapter 18 Is Hella a rusalka? Or, as some sources say, a female vampire?

I've finished Part 1 and am off to start Part 2. Let me know if you think we should have a separate thread for Part 2, or just keep using our bolding method.

#54 - I think the echoes (pre-echoes?) of Sukhanov were strongest in the earlier chapters, with the setting of the literary establishment, and the implied criticisms of the Soviet system. I felt too that there was something similar in the writing; something about the clarity but slantwise-on view, if you know what I mean.

>58 labfs39: I think it would be fine to continue this thread into Part II. I finished the book yesterday. We were out of town for a few days, which gave me more time to read with less guilt about all the other things that need doing. Now I just need to find some time to collect my thoughts.

#58/60 - I'm ok either way - one or two threads.

#56, Thanks, Lisa. I have started it, and in fact have reached the point where we first meet the Master. When I first read it a few years ago, I was fascinated by the story, the writing, Bulgakov's imagination, and the many levels of the novel. I hope I am getting more out it by rereading it! I am definitely noticing all the references to the devil in the book, and thinking about the gentleness of the staff of the asylum as a comment on the violence of Stalin's prisons. I must say I have always loved how the devil stirs up trouble!

Thanks for your input, Linda and Dan. I have created a part two: The Master and Margarita Group Read: Part 2.

#59 If I didn't say so earlier, I'm glad you brought up The Dream Life of Sukhanov, wandering_star. Olga Grushin is a favorite new author. For me, the similarities lie mostly in the details of life under Stalin (although Dream Life takes place during a much longer period of time) and the setting of the literary world. The biggest difference for me is that whereas Dream Life is just that, a dream state from which Sukhanov is slowly awakening, in M&M the reverse is happening in a way, things are getting more and more Gogol-esque, not less so. Much less dreamy, Bugalkov is bold with a no-holds-barred way of writing that strikes me as suicidal in the time in which he wrote. But there is no denying that the years of the Great Purge can be approached from many angles, and they all point to bedlam, chaos, and evil.

#63 Thanks for joining us, Rebecca! I hope that you find even more to love this time around.

the gentleness of the staff of the asylum as a comment on the violence of Stalin's prisons
Interesting, I had rather the opposite feeling. Not knowing how it ends, I am definitely suspicious of the doctor. I feel as though he is in cahoots with the devil, psychologically torturing his patients by creating personality disorders like Ivan's. My mind turns to Cancer Ward and to the way politicals were sometimes sent to asylums instead of prison. But perhaps I'm looking at it the wrong way, and the asylum is a refuge that protects the Everyman when the world has gone crazy.

I didn't mean to imply that the gentleness is well-meaning, just a different approach to getting people to turn on their friends, etc. I don't think of the asylum as a "refuge," but as a way of commenting on Stalinism without directly describing brutality In the same way, people "disappear," but without a hint of the brutality associated with this in real life. And of course, as you point out, some people were sent to asylums instead of prison.

Also, I am continuing to turn over in my mind the identity of the devil. I didn't think when I read it the first time that the devil is supposed to represent Stalin (or the Roman emperor, for that matter), and I still don't. As far as I can figure out, the existence of the devil is one proof of the existence of God, and so although the devil creates havoc (some of it, I must confess, delightful) he is the antithesis of atheistic Stalinism.

the existence of the devil is one proof of the existence of God

Nicely put, Rebecca. Another similar way of looking at it is that in order to accept the concept of God, you need to explain the existence of evil. Therefore, the devil is created.

#65 a way of commenting on Stalinism without directly describing brutality That makes sense and explains why the interrogations at the theater are non-physical. So far, I'm on chapter 22, and the asylum does seem safer than being out on the streets with the devil. For instance, it seems that the Master could leave at any time, but chooses not to (see first page of Enter the Hero, chapter 13).

the existence of the devil is one proof of the existence of God
Isn't that what Woland means by the Seventh Proof?

#66 Hmm. Interesting. In order to prove that he, the devil exists, he must first get Moscovites to believe in the existence of God. I wonder if similarly, one must experience freedom in order to understand one's own repression. If one never knows freedom (I think of the younger generations of North Koreans), can one really appreciate the lack of freedom? Or is it that freedom is an innate, primitive desire that everyone can recognize as a something worth having?

As a child of a theologian and the Communist revolution, I have this expectation that Bulgakov would not separate the two. Also, while he broke rules and put himself, via this manuscript, in danger, he still isn't being direct. There is a literary affect that allows some openness in the interpretation.

The Devil is not Stalin, but he is not distinct from Stalin either. He and his retinue have parallels with Stalin and his henchmen. In the same way the Devil has powers that defy all natural laws, Stalin's crew had powers the defy any laws or limitations. They were unrestrained and there was nothing the regular people could do - if they were unlucky enough to get in the way.

I'm not sure where to go with the existence of God. Certainly nothing in this book argues for God's existence. The Devil is purely and extremely fictional. But, if we argue that the devil proves the existence of God, or that he needs to get people to believe in God for whatever reason, then we can flip many things backwards.

Bulgakov does make a clear argument that belief in God is very present and that nothing the state can do can undo that. We constantly find characters who, when in there direst circumstance, reach for God.

And one last thought - I'm am left with a sense of Moscow as something like an eternal city, something larger and more complex than the current state of affairs. It's, I think, and interesting affect...although it may reside purely in my imagination. The implication would be that all this is temporary, and all this bad news will pass in time.

Chapter 7-11
The Devil and his campanions continues to stir up confusion and mischief with different indivuals.

Chapter 12
Very interesting chapter The Black Magic Show. This chapter shows to prove human nature GREED. The first trick is the raining down of money, people are climbing over one another to get as much of the raining money as they can. When Bengalsky gets up on the stage demanding that the trick be revealed the audience then demands OFF WITH HIS HEAD. The Behemoth thefine cat that he is he actually takes off the poor mans head and when the audience once again demands that the head be put back on Behemoth screws Bengalsky head on and physical Bengalsky is fine but the is so upset that he is taken by ambulance never to the be the same again. The the open womens shop on stage. Most of the women doesnt think twice about giving up their old clothing for the new gowns and shoes. The only person brave enough to question this store is Sempleyanrov. For his questioning the devil instead of revealing the secret to his on stage store reveals instead of the mans affairs and his mistress casing a scandal.

This Chapter proves that people by nature is greedy and when a few souls are brave enough to question society in general they are always punished in one form or another. The devil is the father of all lies. And his main goal is to kill, steal and destroy.

Chapter 13
This is where we are introduced to The Master and Margarita and how they meet. The Master is encouraged by Margarita to write out the story of Pilate in a novel. But once it is finished it is rejected by the publishers. The Master becomes depressed and with his depression Margarita tried to make it all better. Even though Margarita promises The Master that she will be back in the morning he is gone to the mental hospital with many of the other characters.

Chapter 14
This Chapter deals with the term NOTHING IS FOR FREE. As the ladies are leaving all of the new gowns and shoes disappear leaving them in their underwear on the street causing complete chasos.

#69 - chapter 13 I need to check my memory and notes. There is a subtle hint that the master didn't just go to the mental hospital, but that he went to prison first for three years! The hint is the coat with torn buttons. Prisoners had there buttons torn from their clothes. Or am I thinking of something else?

chapter 13 ?? Does anyone think Margarita helped in the Master's arrest?

I didn't get the impression that Margarita turned him in or anything and was truly shocked and upset when Master is gone. But not surprised. Too many people disappeared in those days to fear it. In chapter 19, there is another hint as to the Master's imprisonment and this type of fear.

while he broke rules and put himself, via this manuscript, in danger, he still isn't being direct
True, but from what I know of the times, I lean towards thinking that this is far too opaque for anyone to be fooled into thinking that it is anything but what it is: a condemnation of the Soviet system. During the late 30s hundreds of writes, theater directors, poets, etc. were arrested and killed, such as Osip Mandelstam and Isaac Babel. Wikipedia has a list of some of them in its article on the Great Purge. So if all of these writers are getting arrested, why wasn't Bulgakov? My guess is that his earlier play, The Days of the Turbins, saved him, in that Stalin liked it. Bulgakov got close to being arrested and his apartment was searched. I believe, on what little I've read, that there is no doubt he would have been arrested had the manuscript been found and read. Bulgakov, himself, grew so fearful of arrest that he couldn't leave his apartment and was a nervous wreck.

a sense of Moscow as something like an eternal city
I like this idea...

Chapter 17: I love how Bulgakov turns the farce of Moscow show trials into an actual farce held in a Variety theater.

>70 dchaikin: Did you mean three months, Dan? The related note in my edition references a period of three months when he might have been held for questioning. Earlier in the chapter he also told Ivan that he had worked for the museum until two years ago.

>71 dchaikin: I'm not sure. She certainly does get very angry with him.

#74 - Yes, three months, not years.

Yes, I was going to say three months not years. There is a definite implication he was imprisoned, and I agree with Lisa that this is a condemnation of the Soviet system of arresting writers, theater directors, etc. At the same time, I think Bulgakov is having a little fun with also condemning the hypocrisy and bureaucracy of theater directors, etc.. From what I've read of his life, he had problems with some of them and I think he's getting back at them here.

I agree with you, Dan (#68), that there are parallels between the devil and Stalin, mainly because I think Bulgakov can show how people respond to Stalinism by showing how they respond to the devil (especially when they don't know he's the devil). But I somewhat disagree with #69 "The devil is the father of all lies. And his main goal is to kill, steal and destroy. The devil is certainly wreaking havoc, but he's also showing up the Stalinist system, and possibly having a little fun doing it.

One of the things I enjoyed about the book when I first read it (and also like this time) is the way Bulgakov uses the visit of the devil to illustrate several of the problems of Soviet life (beyond, obviously, arrests and disappearances), e.g., apartment shortages/communal living/apartment managers, foreign currency, bureaucracy.

Good post, Rebecca. You mentioned a number of things that I've been thinking about. This is enjoyable - B was very playful with this story.

I wonder if any of you are aware of the stage version of The Master and Margarita that is showing at the moment? Or the play based on Bulgakov and Stalin's "collaboration"? Here's a link to an Economist article on them: http://www.economist.com/node/21552529

#78 D, glad you're joining us.

#78 - Those shows are a bit far for me... for you too. Thanks for the link.

Those look fantastic. Complicite is one of my favourite theatre companies, I am always sad to miss a show of theirs. And Alex Jennings and Simon Russell Beale are both great. I might see if I can make a performance of 'Collaborators' when I'm in London in early June. Thanks very much for the link!

There's an excellent russian tv version of M & M;

http://www.librarything.com/work/book/85918256

3 dvds, 7 1/2 hours.

It's also on youtube.

Bump in case anyone in the Read 75 group want to peruse.