Margarita: Committed to the Master, Margarita transforms into a witch to rescue him. Her journey emphasizes resilience and love's transformative power, serving as a moral and spiritual guide.

These characters navigate the magical realism of The Master and Margarita, offering insights into human nature amid societal absurdity.

Satirical depiction of Soviet society

Mikhail Bulgakov's The Master and Margarita uses satire to examine Soviet society's absurdities and moral issues. The arrival of the Devil, Woland, in Moscow leads to disorder, exposing corruption in daily Soviet life. At the Variety Theatre, Woland's supernatural actions reveal financial greed and corruption. Strange events like citizens disappearing and reappearing highlight society's focus on bureaucracy and conformity. The character of the Master illustrates the suppression of creativity and spiritual freedom, as his novel faces censorship. Bulgakov combines humor, supernatural elements, and observation to depict the conflict between Soviet ideology and the human desire for authenticity and expression.

Good and evil

The Master and Margarita explores the complex relationship between good and evil, presenting them as connected rather than opposing forces. Woland and his unusual entourage act as catalysts in uncovering the hypocrisies and moral ambiguities within Soviet society. Bulgakov suggests that good and evil depend on each other, a concept shown through the story of Pontius Pilate, which examines how well-intentioned actions can result in harmful outcomes. The novel challenges conventional views of morality and indicates that appearances can deceive, while the distinctions between good and evil remain fluid.

Magical realism 

In The Master and Margarita, Mikhail Bulgakov blends magical realism with everyday life in 1930s Moscow. The novel's supernatural elements appear primarily through Woland, the Devil, and his associates, including a cat named Behemoth. They trigger fantastical events across the city. One notable event takes place at the Variety Theater, where Woland’s magic uncovers the audience's moral weaknesses. Margarita’s transformation into a witch illustrates a break from Soviet constraints and reflects the novel’s exploration of freedom through fantasy. Reality is depicted as unpredictable, commenting on the chaotic nature of existence.

Quick facts

• Mikhail Bulgakov wrote the novel between 1928 and 1940, but it was only published posthumously in a censored form in the 1960s.

• The Master and Margarita combines supernatural elements, dark comedy, and philosophical themes, notably satirizing Soviet society.

• Woland, a central character representing Satan, visits Moscow accompanied by a bizarre entourage, including a giant, talking black cat named Behemoth.

• The novel features two parallel narratives—one set in 1930s Moscow and another set in ancient Jerusalem around the time of Jesus's execution.

• The statement 'Manuscripts don't burn' symbolizes art's enduring resilience, reflecting Bulgakov's experience of censorship.

• Pontius Pilate is depicted as a complex character wrestling with themes of guilt, cowardice, and redemption.

• Margarita transforms into a witch to aid Woland, highlighting powerful, magical realism and subversion of societal norms.

• Bulgakov burned an initial draft of the manuscript, mirroring the novel's theme of censorship and persecution of artists.

• The Master character is largely considered a semi-autobiographical representation of Bulgakov himself.

• The novel has inspired various adaptations, including the Rolling Stones's song 'Sympathy for the Devil.'

• Margarita's character was likely modeled after Bulgakov's third wife, Elena Sergeevna.

• Acclaimed by critics for its satirical depth, The Master and Margarita is widely regarded as one of the greatest novels of the 20th century.

Film adaptations

The Master and Margarita has inspired several film adaptations with varied interpretations of Bulgakov's narrative. The 1972 Italian-Yugoslav film, directed by Aleksandar Petrović, presents the novel's themes with an unorthodox portrayal. Released in 2011, Yuri Kara's Russian version closely follows Bulgakov’s original, capturing the novel's blend of satire and supernatural elements.

About the author

Mikhail Bulgakov (1891-1940) was an innovative and significant Russian playwright and novelist. A native of Kiev, he pursued a career in medicine before focusing on writing. As an author under the Soviet regime, he faced censorship and surveillance. These conditions influenced his work, leading to narratives that critiqued Soviet policies and ideology. The Days of the Turbins gained Joseph Stalin's attention; however, by 1929, authorities banned many of Bulgakov's plays. His novel The Master and Margarita, written in secrecy during his later years, reflects his struggles with art and oppression while addressing moral and existential questions of his time.