The Master and Margarita
A satirical fantasy exploring good, evil, and human nature in Soviet Moscow.
Summary of 7 Key Points
Key Points
- The devil visits 1930s Soviet Moscow
- The interwoven story of Pontius Pilate
- Marginalized writer creates a work about Christ
- Margarita’s pact with the devil for her lover
- The fantastical Midnight Ball
- The crucifixion from a new perspective
- The nature of good and evil debated
key point 1 of 7
The devil visits 1930s Soviet Moscow
In Mikhail Bulgakov’s ‘The Master and Margarita,’ the devil arrives in 1930s Soviet Moscow disguised as a mysterious gentleman named Professor Woland. Woland is a suave, well-dressed figure with an entourage that includes a large black cat named Behemoth, a fanged hitman named Azazello, a pale-faced Abadonna with a deathly gaze, and a witch named Hella. They proceed to disrupt the city’s atheistic and bureaucratically rigid society with a series of darkly comedic and fantastical events…Read&Listen More
key point 2 of 7
The interwoven story of Pontius Pilate
The interwoven story of Pontius Pilate in ‘The Master and Margarita’ is a narrative within the larger novel, told by the character of Woland, who is actually Satan in disguise, to a group of incredulous listeners in 1930s Moscow. This metafictional tale is a reimagining of the events surrounding the trial and execution of Yeshua Ha-Notsri, or Jesus of Nazareth, in Jerusalem, as seen through the eyes of the Roman Procurator, Pontius Pilate. Pilate is depicted as a complex and troubled man, plagued by headaches and haunted by a deep sense of unease and moral ambivalence about the trial and the fate of Yeshua. The story’s depiction of Pilate contrasts sharply with traditional biblical portrayals, offering a more humanized and sympathetic character who grapples with the political and philosophical implications of his decisions…Read&Listen More
key point 3 of 7
Marginalized writer creates a work about Christ
In ‘The Master and Margarita,’ the character known as the Master is a shadowy, marginalized author who closely mirrors the experiences of many writers under Soviet censorship. The Master has devoted his life to creating a novel about the story of Pontius Pilate and Jesus Christ, referred to as Yeshua Ha-Notsri in the book. His work represents a bold exploration of the themes of cowardice, compromise, and betrayal, subtly critiquing both the historical Pilate and the contemporary Soviet society that the author, Bulgakov, lived in…Read&Listen More
key point 4 of 7
Margarita’s pact with the devil for her lover
Margarita’s pact with the devil is a pivotal moment in ‘The Master and Margarita’ that showcases her profound love for the Master, her lover, and her willingness to go to great lengths for him. Margarita is introduced as an individual deeply unhappy with her life despite her wealth and marriage to a successful man. Her misery stems from her separation from the Master, a writer with whom she shares a deep, spiritual connection. She discovers that her lover has vanished, leaving her desperate to find him and willing to make significant sacrifices…Read&Listen More
key point 5 of 7
The fantastical Midnight Ball
The Midnight Ball in ‘The Master and Margarita’ is a fantastical and opulent event hosted by Woland, the novel’s version of the Devil. It’s a supernatural gathering where the dark, the mystical, and the diabolical come together in a decadent celebration. The ball takes place at Woland’s Moscow apartment, which magically expands to accommodate the festivities. The narrative describes the ball as a space where time and reality are suspended, and the guests comprise a mix of the living, the dead, and the demonic. The lavishness and extravagance of the ball are emphasized by the rich descriptions of the setting and the attire of the participants…Read&Listen More
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The crucifixion from a new perspective
In ‘The Master and Margarita’, the crucifixion is described not as a theological or spiritual event, but from a human and historical perspective. The character known as the master, an author punished for his historical novel about Pontius Pilate, offers a retelling of the crucifixion that emphasizes Pilate’s role and his inner turmoil. Pilate is portrayed as a complex, hesitant man who is not inherently cruel but rather bound by the duties of his position and the will of Tiberius Caesar. This perspective on the crucifixion underlines the human elements of doubt, political pressure, and moral ambiguity…Read&Listen More
key point 7 of 7
The nature of good and evil debated
In ‘The Master and Margarita’, the nature of good and evil is not depicted in clear black-and-white terms but is interwoven in a complex tapestry that challenges conventional moral dichotomies. The Devil, named Woland, is a sophisticated, multilayered character who exposes the hypocrisy and vanity of Moscow’s literary elite and bureaucratic class. Yet, despite his role as the traditional embodiment of evil, Woland also delivers justice and grants the desires of the pure-hearted, like Margarita, suggesting that his presence may be part of a divine plan…Read&Listen More