The Master and Margarita Magic

The magic. The suppressions. The freedom. The weirdness. The Religious leaning; etc. Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita seems to cause a lot of debate confuses one where to side. But the whole beauty of it is that from a real human point of view, it is a book that stirs insight to life in general.

Although I find it difficult following on with all the magic wands spread by Woland, yet the intricate splendour revives in me a pointer to Bulgakov’s intelligence, of touching almost all aspect of life directly and indirectly.

In the over 6 page introduction written in my copy by one Simon Franklin, a Fellow of Clare College and Lecturer in Russia at Cambridge, The Master and Margarita was craftily linked to most main facets of life. Owing to the fact that the book itself was penned at a time Stalin would censor any literal work, Mikhail Bulgakov discreetly did his work and refuse to submit it for commissioning hence it was only published after his death. The devil or Satan represented by Woland makes a good picture of the government during which the author wrote his book. In Professor Simon’s introduction, Bulgakov was also a recipient of Stalin’s corruption being given a post at the Moscow Arts Theatre and thus his quietness all through and so, he knew and saw the “Devil” at work.

The basic beauty to me is the awareness it arouses in us who are free and free from causes of magic, from suppression of speech, and religious analysis.

Secondly, Bulgakov made us understand how complicated power is to its captains. In the case of Pilate, although he has the power, yet, there are both small and big powers he has to mind to take his decisions. Wanting the save Ha-nostri, the council of priests refuses, and thus he gave a thought to the public, etc.

Bulgakov also raises a question on life at work and home – competition. Trust isn’t really existent or trust is breakable when humans want to favour themselves. Secrets abide in every man and thus, suspicion is a part of each individual. What more? Corruption is a network of individual participation in unacceptable norms-turned-to-tradition; thereby making the government who wields corrupted power “right” in prosecuting people and earning more praise for itself.

Yet, Mikhail’s presentation is intelligent as well as bizarre and mystical in nature to me thinking of all the magic, etc.