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The Master and Margarita (1966; Diana Burgin and K.T. O'Connor, translators; Ardis, 1955)
Because it attacks the Stalinist regime, this Russian novel could not be
published until 26 years after Bulgakov's death. It is now a world classic, known
and widely quoted in more than 20 languages for its touching parallel between
Moscow in ca. 1935 CE and Jerusalem in 35 CE. In the USSR chapters,
Bulgakov satirizes theatrical, literary, and real estate officials who prosper for
their conformism to the Soviet system. In the Jerusalem chapters---a novel within
the novel---Bulgakov offers one of the most controversial characterizations of
Pontius Pilate and Jesus of Nazareth in modern literature. The political satire is
balanced by a poignant love affair between the title characters. Miller considers
such questions as: What does Bulgakov signify by his drastic revisions of the
Gospel stories? Why does Bulgakov use Faustian and Manichaean motifs? Why
does he represent the cleansing force that sweeps through Moscow as a Satanic
force? What literary qualities in The Master and Margarita justify our calling it
a great novel?
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