Bulgakov Versus Censorship

In honor (pun not intended) of the essay, I'd like to point out a few of my observations during my close reading. On page 67, there is a strange interruption in the flow of the text. The narrator flows from describing the scene that is going on to saying that none of the pirate fantasy that Archibald Archibaldovich was a part of exists. The narrator then flows from saying that none of that exists to begging for gods to give them poison. The sudden shift from storytelling to pressing the nonexistence of the fantasy is similar to how censorship takes works of fantasy that evoke a sense of revolt in oppression and silences them. As ideas are silenced, a desire for freedom from an artist's standpoint rises. The line "Oh, gods, gods, poison, give me poison!" could refer to the narrator's desire for gods, or some other form of myth/fantasy to poison his mind with ideas that Soviet censorship does not allow. Bulgakov's inclusion of the strange deviation from the story's progression could be his way of voicing his opinion about Soviet censorship and how it needs to go away.

P.S. I commented on Tyler's post.

Be careful what you wish for..

In chapter 19, Margarita says "Really, I would pawn my soul to the devil to find out whether he is alive or dead." This goes to show how enticing the devil can be and while I know we can't parallel this novel too harshly with Christianity, it just made me think of how the Devil is alluring. He is hidden in things that don't seem "bad" and he waits for our own thoughts to make us vulnerable, just as he does here with Margarita because she does end up pawning her soul off to the Devil.



I commented on Sierra's!

Master and the Margarita

I'm going to make a confession here; I haven't actually finished the book because I was busy with the essay.  However, I did get almost finished, and got confused towards the very end.  I'm also beginning to wonder if the combination of Woland, Koroviev, and Behemoth is a perversion of the trinity.

~Commented on Darby's post

Coincidence? Maybe completely bonkers.

So now I am pretty confused as to the nature of multiple characters. After Woland's conversation with Levi, it almost seems as though he exists to be the foil of Jesus. It's almost as though the two are at work in the world, ultimately bringing about their own odd forms of justice, with one light and the other dark to accentuate each other. That may be a completely bonkers interpretation, but ultimately, each person who experiences the trials of Woland and co really "get what's coming to them," and the people who have suffered, Margarita, the Master, and even Ivan get their own odd forms of release and peace. Satan even willingly takes orders from Jesus thorough Levi, which seems more like an odd partnership than the most passionate repulsion known to mankind. Still, it seems as though Bolgokov uses Woland to ultimately perform his own expose, and expose corruption and reveal revels for those who are striving to actually live. I don't really know though. Also my computer's autocorrect couldn't recognize the name Woland. Coincidence?

Chats on Jeremy's

Wut.......

In chapters 30-32, I am at a loss. This is not a good ending. Throughout this book, the storyline was not too terrible to keep up with. Now, I am just questioning why. Why did everyone's appearance change? I do not know. I am also confused as to why Master and Margarita were so okay with Azazello coming in and saying ''hey guys lets go on a trip. Here is some unsuspicious wine". There are a lot of things I am confused with and wresting with in this ending. I loo forward to getting some clarity.

I commented on Nate's/

Incurable Master

I cannot get over how the Master said he was "incurable" and "when Stravinsky says that he will restore me to life, I don't believe him". In what sense is he incurable? He cannot be cured because he has already written his novel, and his beliefs do not die. The circumstances that he is living in cause him to be incurable. It is not that he is mad, but that he cannot change who he is. The circumstances he lives in causes him to be considered ill. He's mental state progress throughout the book. He goes from rage, to depression, to being incurable. He finally finds a place of contentment with staying where he is though. I find this interesting that he just kind of gives up and accepts that he's incurable and must stay there.

I commented on Abbie's post.

Have Mercy!

On page 295, Margarita requests Woland to let Freida be free of her torment with the handkerchief. He starts talking about stuffing rags into every crack in his bedroom and after Margarita expresses her confusion with his statement, he then reveals, “I am talking about mercy. It sometimes unexpectedly and slyly creeps through the narrowest cracks.” I know at one point in class we talked about how Woland seems to give to each person what he deserves as opposed to Yeshua calling everyone a “good man.” This statement seems to confirm this side of Woland. He acts as though mercy has no place in his presence. The problem is he eventually allows the act to be completed anyway. Is Woland all-powerful, yet also somewhat of a pushover?
I commented on Abbie George's post.