Annual October Reading of The Master and Margarita (Chapters 1-31)

 

October 1 and we embark once again the reading of The Master and Margarita (one of my favorite books). Many are easily turned off by its - at times -seemingly confusing stories. But when you look at when it was written and think about some of its themes and symbolism, the story begins to have much more meaning then just talking cats playing chess and naked witches flying around on pigs.

There are 32 chapters broken into two parts. For this summary, we use the unabridged translation by Michael Glenny. Are you ready?

Some characters/places you may run into:

Berlioz, Mikhail Alexandrovich – Also known as Misha. He is the chairman at Massolit (Massovaia Literature – or literature of the masses)

Ponyrev (Ivan Nikolaevich Bezdomny) – A poet

Woland - Also known as The Professor, The Foreigner, The Devil

Styopa (Stepan Bogdanovich) Likhodeyev – Director of the Theatre

Behemoth – A rather large, black, talking, chess-playing cat

Koroviev – Part of Woland’s entourage. Always in a checkered jacket and pince-nez glass.

Azazello – Part of Woland’s entourage

The Master – The book’s namesake. In love with Margarita. He is a writer who cannot get his book about Pilate and Jesus published

Margarita – The Master’s lover

Hella – A vampress with bright red hair who works for Woland

Pilate - Roman procurator of the province of Judea from 26-36 AD. He also has a dog in the story (Benga)

Yeshua Ha Nostri - Believed to be the Jesus we know

Matthew – A disciple of Yeshua

Judas – Betrayed Yeshua

It is time!!! 

The Master and Margarita annual reading begins now.

Chapter 1: Never Talk to Strangers

It is summer in Patriarch’s Ponds. Mikhail Alexandrovich Berlioz, editor and chairman of the writer’s union Massolit, and the younger poet Ivan Nikolaevich Ponyrev, who writes under the pseudonym Bezdomny.

The two men buy warm apricot juice at a refreshment kiosk (it is oddly the only drink available). Berlioz, who has a bout of hiccups, and then seemingly an anxiety attack, also sees an extremely tall, thin, and transparent man who appears to be levitating just above the ground. Berlioz tells Ivan about the sight, explaining it as “something like a hallucination” and exclaiming dismissively, “Pah, the devil!”

Berlioz discusses with Ivan about a poem he has been commissioned to write. While it is supposed to be “anti-religious”, Berlioz comments that Ivan indeed made Jesus seem “too alive”.

The mysterious man appears again, and Berlioz dismisses him as “foreign”. He is wearing an expensive grey suit, a beret, and carrying a stick “with a black knob shaped like a poodle’s head.” He also has two crowns on his front teeth, one platinum and one gold. Similarly, this stranger’s eyes are also two different colors: black and green. He sits down on the next bench down from Berlioz and Ivan.

After asking a series of questions, the stranger, predicts the demise of Berlioz in an odd way, referencing Anna, sunflower seed oil, and decapitation. Briefly producing a card with the words “Professor” and “W” readable, the stranger proceeds to tell the gentlemen that “Jesus did exist.”

 

Chapter 2: Pontius Pilate

The Professor begins his story: It is the day before Passover. Pontius Pilate has had an excruciating headache all day and he’s blaming it on the smell of rose oil from the garden.

A beaten prisoner Yeshua is placed before Pilate, having been sentenced to death for inciting the people. Of course, Yeshua, tries to deny the charge. His humbleness seems to anger Pilate, who insists the prisoner call him Hegemon. When asked if he told the people to destroy the temple.

Yeshua proceeds to tell Pilate that he has senses he has a headache and would rather be with his dog, Banga, than dealing with himself, the prisoner. That you can’t give all of your attention to a dog because you’ve lost faith in the people. Shockingly, he also tells him to take a walk, while also predicting a coming storm.

Pilate tells the guards to unbind the prisoner. He continues his line of questioning, asking him if he’s a physician. Also, he questions whey Yeshua calls everyone “good people.”

Explaining why he refers to everyone as “good,” Yeshua states that “there are no evil people in the world.”

Pilate asks Yeshua if it is true that he has said anything bad about the emperor Caesar and then questions Yeshua on whether he knows Judas from Karioth and if Yeshua said what he was reported by Judas to have said. Yeshua readily admits what he told Judas. This was when he was arrested.

Pilate becomes very angry and confirms Yeshua’s death sentence. He orders that Yeshua be kept separate from the other prisoners and, that no prison guard is allowed to talk to him.

Pilate is then visited by Joseph Kaifa, a high priest. In honor of Passover, the Sanhedrin are allowed to choose a prisoner to set free: either Bar-Rabban or Yeshua. Kaifa tells Pilate that Bar-Rabba is their choice.

Pilate seems bothered by their choice, asking several times if that is really their choice. They argue over the reason as to not choose Yeshua. It seems as of the “peaceful philosopher” has made an impact on Pilate. But it is Bar-Rabba who is to be set free. Yeshua’s death sentence is final. It is 10am.

 

Chapter 3: The Seventh Proof

The professor ends his story. Berlioz argues that this foreigner’s story does not match what is in the Gospels. Amused, the Professor whispers that he was there so he actually knows the story better…because he was there (of course!).

The two look at the stranger as if he’s mad (no, they know he’s mad).

Berlioz then inquires as to where the professor will be staying during his visit to Moscow. The professor says he’ll be staying at Berlioz’s. He then asks Ivan if he believes in the devil.

Berlioz decides to sneak off and make a phone call to the to report the professor. As Berlioz hurries off, the professor calls to him to ask if Berlioz would like a telegram sent to his uncle in Kiev. Berlioz is confused, as he does have an uncle in Kiev but there’s no way the professor would know.

Walking towards the train station, Berlioz notices the same man that had seemed to be levitating earlier dressed in checkered directs Berlioz to the turnstile and, taking off his jockey cap, asks Berlioz to spare some change.

Berlioz steps through the turnstile to cross to the tram tracks but notices a tram racing towards him. He moves back to safety but, as he does so, slips and tumbles into the path of the tram and is decapitated.

 

Chapter 4: The Pursuit

Ivan runs to the turnstile and sees Berlioz’s head bouncing on the pavement. He can barely stand as he hears two women discussing what happened … Anna spilled sunflower oil by the turnstile, making the floor slippery. Had thief foreigner planned that whole thing? How could he have known?

He goes back to the bench, and finds the strange man still sitting there, talking with a companion wearing checkered trousers and a jockey cap.

The professor pretends to not speak or understand Russian as Ivan asks the professor his identity. The companion tells Ivan not to bother the foreigner. Ivan begins to suspect the companion is also in on the charade…but disappears and re-appears when Ivan tries to grab him.

Ivan notices the two men suddenly far off in the distance … joined by a big black cat the size of a pig walking on his hind legs. Ivan runs after them and the large cat runs onto the tram, pushing a screaming woman off to make room for himself, but also offers to pay the fare.

Ivan continues his chase of the professor but quickly loses him. However, Ivan has the feeling that he will be at No. 13 flat 47. He bursts through the front door of course the professor will be hiding in the bathroom! In the bathroom is a woman taking a bath, who seems more alarmed that her husband will return soon than of Ivan bursting through the door.

Oddly, Ivan steals a religious candle from the apartment and heads to the Moscow River now convinced that this is where he will find the professor. He dives into the water after removing his clothes and giving them to a random person.

Not finding the professor, Ivan exits the water and finds only underwear, a torn blouse, and the icon with a box of matches. He decides to head to Griboedov’s, of course the professor will be there!

 

                                                                                                                        Artwork, The Master and Margarita by Tasha Ivy

Chapter 5: The Affair at Griboyedov

Griboedov’s is building that houses Massolit, the literary society headed up by Berlioz and boasts a fancy restaurant.

At this time, writers are waiting for Berlioz, who of course, is on three tables down at the morgue.

At midnight, the restaurant comes to life with a band and dancing. Just as suddenly, the restaurant manager, Archibald, runs in telling all about Berlioz’s death. Shortly after, Ivan appears in his underwear and torn shirt, of course, he is also holding the lit candle. Everyone agrees, Ivan has gone delirious as he begins to share stores of a stranger, that Berlioz’s death was perpetrated by none other than Professor W. Oh, and then there was the walking, taking cat.

Ivan rants frenziedly about the events surrounding the strange professor, making little sense to anyone in the restaurant. He tells them that the professor killed Berlioz, but on being asked the professor’s name can only remember that it begins with a “W.” As Ivan goes on describing, amongst other things, a walking, talking cat, someone suggests calling a doctor for him. Ivan is soon hauled off by the police to a psychiatric clinic.

Chapter 6: Schizophrenia

Ivan sits along with poet Ryukhin in the exam room of the clinic. This time Ivan tells the doctors of the plot to Berlioz, orchestrated by the foreigner, oh, who also happened to be with Pontius Pilate when Jesus was condemned to death. Ivan tries to leave but is given a shot and taken to room 117. Diagnoses with alcoholism and schizophrenia. Ryukhin travels back, reflecting on his own career, that Ivan was just insulting. He returns at dawn to Griboedov where he drinks vodka after vodka, ruminating on the hours he has lost trying to help Ivan.

 

Chapter 7: The Haunted Flat

In flat no. 50 on Sadovaya Street, Berlioz’s roommate, Stepa Likhodyev (manager of the Variety Theatre) wakes up from a drunken night on the town to discover a stranger seated in his room. This very flat has had a series of disappearances and, some even say, a history of witchcraft.

The stranger provides him with food, and they both have a drink, since hair of the dog is better than aspirin. The stranger explains that he is a professor of black magic, and we also now know him as Woland!). Stepa has apparently agreed to sign his variety show and to advance him a payment of. Stepa has no memory this interaction, and then this man, whom the reader knows to be Woland, produces a copy of contract, on which Stepa sees his own characteristic signature.

Stepa calls for his housekeeper Grunya. But Woland has sent her off on vacation.

Suddenly, a tall man with a pince-nez and an enormous black cat appears in his flat. The companion from Patriarch’s, whose name is Koroviev, and the cat that Ivan saw earlier. Stepa begins to suspect he is going mad.

The three tell him that there is no longer room for him in his apartment, and that it will be their space now. They make fun of him for acting in such a greedy way, and a fourth man, Azazello joins their company. The cat yells at Stepa to “scat!”, and Stepa falls and hits his head. When he awakes, he is sitting on a jetty in Yalta.

 

                                                                                                                                            4DarKop5

                                                                                                                    

Chapter 8: Duel between Professor and Poet

Just as Stepa loses consciousness in Yalta, Ivan awakens in the hospital. The nurse mentions foreign tourists, not knowing what and transpired the awful memories return. He decides not to tell her about Pontius Pilate. She gives him a bath. He is then questioned by many doctors and undergoes a physical exam.

He eats breakfast and Doctor Stravinsky enters. His air of power reminds him of Pontius Pilate. He explains the story of Pontius Pilate to Doctor Stravinsky and tells him all about the mysterious stranger. Doctor Stravinsky humors him, asking him relevant questions, and says he will let Ivan leave if he will simply tell him "I am normal." Ivan does this, but the doctor reminds Ivan that he will be walking around in the clothes he came in (underwear and a torn shirt) but will likely be sent back once he tells others about the professor and Pilate. Ivan decides to stay in the hospital.

 

Chapter 9: Koroviev’s Tricks

Nikanor Ivanovich Bosoi is the house chairman of No. 302-b Sadovaya Street, where Berlioz lived. Many have tried to claim Berlioz's vacated rooms. He goes to apartment 50 and finds Koroviev, who says he is the interpreter of the foreigner who is living in the apartment. He explains that Stepa invited Woland while he is away in Yalta. To Nikanor’s surprise, there is a letter from Stepa in his briefcase. He feels silly he forgot, citing exhaustion.

He questions Koroviev, saying that nobody is allowed on the premises, and Koroviev says he is the interpreter of "the foreign gentleman who resides in this apartment." Koroviev says that Stepa had invited Woland to stay there for a week or so, and that now Likhodeyev is taking a trip to Yalta. In fact, there is a letter in Nikanor Ivanovich's briefcase from Stepa stating exactly that. With some strong prompting, Ivan talks Nikanor into calling the Tourist Office to get final approval for the foreigner to reside in Berlioz’s old flat. And of course, tells Nikanor, the foreigner is a millionaire, so charge him a lot! Koroviev also plies Nikanor with tickets to the professor’s upcoming show at the theatre.

Once Nikanor leaves, Woland asks Koroviev to ensure that he not come back. Koroviev obliges and calls up the authorities, pretending to be a tenant claiming that Nokanor is dealing in black market exchange and has hidden the money in the W.C.

As Nikanor sits down to a wonderful meal of borscht with marrow, courtesy of his wife, there is a knock at the door. The authorities ask where the W.C. is and of course they find the foreign money. When he tries to show them proof of why he had the money, the letter in his briefcase, it has seemingly vanished.

He is taken away by the authorities and under the watchful eyes of neighbors who won’t miss Nikanor Ivanovich Bosoi.

 

Chapter 10: News from Yalta

The house and financial managers of the Variety Theater sit in the theater office. The head usher delivers playbills announcing Professor Woland's black magic act, and both men admit they have never met Woland himself, but Stepa had demanded the contract be written up. Stepa is nowhere to be found, and the managers are discussing how rude he is.

Numerous telegraphs are delivered to the theater managers stating that Stepa is actually in Yalta, to which neither of them believes since Stepa was at his apartment earlier in the day.

Upon calling Stepa’s apartment, Koroviev answers stating that Stepa has gone for a ride. Another telegram is delivered, this time demanding money. One of the managers is about to leave with the money to wire it to Stepa when Azazello now calls. He orders the mangers not to do anything with the telegrams.

They refuse to listen, and the manager leaves with the money only to be attacked by Behemoth, the black talking cat and Azazello. They warn him that he should have listened. As they disappear, a naked, red headed woman who appears “glittered” appears and kisses the manager, her cold hands on his shoulders.

 

                                                                                                Shaun Lynch

Chapter 11: The Two Ivans

Ivan sits weeping in his bed, trying to write a report to the police about the events that led up to Berlioz's death. He is overthinking everything he writes, because he also wants them to believe that he is not crazy. Everything he writes makes him cry more. Thinking the storm outside might be causing him alarm, the nurse closes the curtains. And even the doctor appears and gives him an injection to calm him. The shot helps Ivan tremendously, even hours later, the day’s events don’t seem so bad. But then, as if there were two Ivans, he argues with himself about why he should not be so calm. Then he realizes, he should have asked the professor more about Yeshua.

Somewhere, Woland’s voice calls Ivan “a fool” as he begins to doze off. Then wakes as soon as he beings to dream and sees a man on the balcony.

Chapter 12: Black Magic Revealed

It is the opening act for Woland’s Variety show. The manager sits in his office trying to get a hold of Stepa, but still to no luck. Upon hearing that Woland has arrived, he goes to meeting him. He is accompanied by Koroviev (in his checkered suit) and Behemoth the cat, who pours himself a glass of water. At the same time, strange outages of the phones occur in the entire theater.

Woland is introduced as the show begins. He enters with Koroviev and Behemoth. They begin a bantering comedy routine and then continue onto some magic tricks. Then, Woland causes money to rain down upon the audience. People begin to fight over the money. However, a few doubt the reality of what just occurred, calling the whole thing a “mass hypnosis”. Woland asks what should be done with the doubter – and someone screamed “off with his head.” To which Woland obliges, sending Behemoth cut off the man’s head with his sharp claws. Of course, the entire theatre goes into hysterics and begs for his head to be put back on…to which it is and he is taken away in an ambulance, completely okay.

For their next trick Koroviev opens up a shop on the stage, where the red-headed Hella appears. After one woman takes her chance and approaches the clothing shop that has been set up and when they see the fine clothing she is given, the women in the audience rush the stage.

Another man disrupts the performance to doubt what is going on – and asks for an explanation. Instead, the three reveal the man to be having an affair, which creates chaos in the theatre, and provides the perfect time for the three to disappear.

 

Chapter 13: Enter the Hero

In Ivan’s hospital room, the stranger enters, and makes Ivan feel very comfortable and that he can trust him. He got in only because the nurse is careless and left her keys lying about. Ivan recounts how he got to be in the hospital. The stranger listens intently and then tells Ivan the professor was none other than Satan. He would also like to confront him.

The stranger introduces himself as Master. And, just like Ivan, Master is in the hospital because of Pontius Pilate. He is a writer who renounced his name and life itself. He wrote a book about Pontius Pilate. He had moved into a tiny basement apartment to write. One day, he sees a woman in a black dress carrying ‘repulsive” yellow flowers. He said he was struck by the loneliness in her eyes. They immediately fell in love, and she became his mistress (she is married).

This woman (who is Margarita) encourages Master to complete the novel. The novel is not received well and is not liked at all by the critics. This destroys Master. He and, subsequently, Margarita become depressed. One rainy night, Master tries to burn the manuscript, but Margarita pulls it out of the stove. She commits herself to Master, saying she will leave her husband and be back in the morning.

She said she would return the next day and be with him forever, but Master commits himself. Ivan asks Master what happened with Yeshua and Pilate, but Master refuses to discuss.

Chapter 14: Saved by the Cock Crow

Rimsky, the treasurer / manager of the theater sits in his office following the chaotic show. Outside, women run around scandalously in their undergarments. The police are summoned but quickly, the scene dissipates. Rimsky still thinks he needs to follow up on the police reports from the show itself. Rimsky receives a mysterious call from a female telling him he’ll regret it if he calls anyone.

Varenukha enters Rimsky’s office, who demands to know why he didn’t report back after posting the letters to Stepa in Yalta. Varenukha begins to conjure up an explanation, but Rimsky thinks something is off with his associate. He notices that Varenukha is actually very sick looking and also has bruises…he also seems to be casting no shadow. Just then, a red-headed woman tries to enter. She too is colored strangely, her skin appearing green and emanating from her is a putrid smell. Realizing that he knows Rimsky is on to them, he locks the door. Just then a rooster crows several times and the two fly off at dawn.

Chapter 15: The Dream of Nikanor Ivanovich

Nikanor (the chairman of Sadovaya Street) is committed to the same hospital as Ivan and the Master following the embarrassing arrest where they found foreign currency down the WC shoot. He is taken to room 119. Telling them again and again of the man in flat 50 and the Soviet currency. Acting very violently distraught, he too was given an injection, which immediately calmed him down and induced sleep. The sleep produced dreams of being interrogated in a large theater. Another shot was administered, where he fell into a dreamless slumber.

In room 120, the patient (with his head on) began looking for his head, in room 118 the master wrung his hands, and in room 119, Ivan burst into tears. The doctor gave sedatives to all the patients to calm them.

As Ivan dozed off, he heard birds that went silent as the sun set over Golgotha.

Chapter 16: The Execution

In the sweltering heat, the procession of prisoners is taking place. Mathew the Levite is watching the execution and praying for mercy for Yeshua. He had tried to break into the procession, but still feels guilt that he was ill and didn’t stop Yeshua from going off on his own.

He begins to curse God, calling him evil for not having mercy on Yeshua. As a storm gathers, the troops wish to speed up the process. One solider offers water to Yeshua, who asks that the other prisoner be given water. Then, each man is speared in the heart to speed up the process. A downpour sets in as they are each declared dead. After the soldiers leave, Matthew cuts each down, but takes Yeshua away with him.

Chapter 17: A Day of Anxiety

It is now Friday in Moscow and ticket buyers are lined up down the block following Woland’s black magic show. The bookkeeper of the theater, Vasily Stepanovich is in charge since everyone has seemingly and mysteriously disappeared. Investigators arrive, including a world-famous canine.

The bookkeeper wants to take the money from the show to the finance office. In the taxi on the way, the driver wants to see the fare before allowing Vasily to continue the ride. Apparently, money is turning into fake money.

At the Commissioner office, Vasily finds the chairman nothing but a suit without a body. The man’s secretary says a cat-man had done this to him. As he is leaving the office, suddenly all of the staff begin singing involuntarily. They are all taken away.

Vasily finally arrives at the financial office, where of course, his money has turned into foreign currency and his is accused of being one of the “tricksters” from the variety show and is arrested.

 

Chapter 18: Unwelcome Visitors

Berlioz’s uncle, Maxamilian Andreyevich Poplavsky, arrives in Moscow from Kiev after he received a very confusion telegraph from Berlioz. It states that he has been run over and gives the date of his funeral. Maxamilian is in rush, not to attend the funeral, but to claim the (in)famous flat at No. 32 Sadovaya.

No one seems to be able to help him once he arrives, so he heads to the flat by himself. Koroviev is inside and acts completely hopeless about the loss of Berlioz. Behemoth is also there and speaks to Poplavsky openly, even demanding his passport. Not pleased, Behemoth calls on Azazello and tells Poplavsky to leave immediately, but not before beating him with a roasted chicken.

Completely beside himself, Poplavsky goes outside and sits as another man enters the flat. Unbeknownst to Poplavasky, the man (Sokov) meets a naked Hella and Woland, who is only in his underwear and pointed shoes. As he talks about the money that keeps turning into fake money, Woland predicts Sokov will die within 9 months of liver cancer. As the man again brings up the money, he takes out wads of cash – but they are in real currency. Confused and concerned, Sokov leaves. As he does, he puts on his hat only to discovers Behemoth inside of it. He attacks the man leaving him with scratches all over his head.

Sokov heads immediately to liver doctor Kuzmin to ask for tests. Of course, he sent to a mental doctor, Boure. After Sokov leaves he realizes that cash that Sokov paid him is now nothing but wine bottle labels. Suddenly a kitten and saucer of milk appears. A sparrow then appears and begins to do the fox trot. Kuzmin decides to try leech therapy and immediately there appears a woman with a bottle of leeches (but it’s really Azazello, Hella, and Woland all together).

 

END OF BOOK ONE

 

Chapter 19: Margarita

Margarita is finally introduced. She is revealed to be married to a very handsome and well off, good man. But she is still so unhappy. She compares leaving the Master and returning to his apartment – and him not being there – to Matthew returning too late to Yeshua. She wants to know what happened to the Master.

When her husband is away, she places a picture of the Master in her room and reads from the burnt manuscript. She decides to go for a walk and runs into her maid, Natasha on the way out. She tells Margarita stories from Woland’s magic show. She decides to take a ride on the bus and hears more people talking about the events from the show.

She gets off the bus and sits near the Kremlin, still lost in thoughts about what happened to Master. A funeral procession passes her and begins to wonder who it is for. Azazello appears next to her and beings to tell her about the funeral passing by for Berlioz (as if he can read her thoughts). He continues to tell her that Berlioz’s head was stolen. Oh, and that the editor who ruined the Master’s life, Latunsky, is a part of the procession.

Oddly enough, the stranger knows her name. When she goes to leave, the man quotes a passage from the Master’s manuscript. Hoping for answers, she asks Azazello if the Master is alive. Of course, Azazello tells her that he is alive, and he can take Margarita to a man who can give her more information.

Margarita agrees to the visit and Azazello gives her a box with magic cream inside. She hesitates and almost loses the opportunity. She is instructed to rub the cream all over her naked body at half-past nine this evening and wait for a call. Azazello disappears.

Chapter 20 - Azazello's Cream

Margarita sits in her bedroom waiting for 9:30. Finally, the time arrives, and she rubs the smelly yellow cream on her face and body. Her body tingles, but it seems to take years off her skin and her hair becomes curly and black and her eyes turn green. The cream also seems to make her joyful! She rushes to her husband’s study and pens a note that she is unhappy and leaving and will see him never again.

The maid, Natasha, returns with washed clothes and is astounded by the transformation of Margarita. They both her the neighbor, Nikolay Ivanovich. Margarita tries to get his attention, but he seems to be ignoring her. Azazello then calls and tells Margarita it is time to fly out the window – and she must shout “I am invisible.” As she does so. A broom flies out of the closet as she hangs up the phone and off she goes out the window on the broom. She grabs a blue dressing gown as she leaves and drops it on Ivanovich as she flies over him.

Chapter 21 – The Flight

Margarita flies through the city, learning how to control the broom along the way. She quickly realizes that even though she is invisible, she can still hit lamp posts. She plays tricks on some women and then decides to find where Latunsky lives. She goes up the stairs and rings the bell, even though she is invisible. When he does not answer, she decides to enter through a window where she proceeds to destroy his flat and flood the apartment.

As she leaves the destruction behind and flies over many cities, she is joined by Natasha, who is just as beautiful because she tried the cream. She is however, riding a flying pig. It turns out the cream turned the neighbor, Ivanovich, into a pig. Those two fly away and Margarita soon lands on the bank of stream. She soon realizes a party is being held in her honor! Frogs croak music as glowworms light the trees. A goat man brings Margarita champagne. A car, complete with a crow for a driver, arrives to take Margarita to her party in Moscow.

Suddenly, Natasha appears in the air next to her, also completely naked and riding a hog, whom Margarita realizes is Nikolay Ivanovich. Natasha tells her how she too rubbed herself with Azazello's cream; when Nikolay Ivanovich appeared at the door to return the shift that Margarita had thrown down on him as she flew out the window, Natasha rubbed it on him, too. But he turned into a hog, and now begs Margarita to convince Natasha to return him to his human form. Soon they both fly away, leaving Margarita alone again.

She lands on a bank and dives into the stream. As she exits the water, she realizes that there is a party going on nearby in her honor. Someone with goat's feet brings her champagne, and she is told that Natasha had already departed for Moscow to announce Margarita's arrival. A car arrives, driven by a rook. Everyone is departing the island for the party in Moscow, and Margarita follows.

Chapter 22 - By Candlelight

Margarita and her crow driver fly to Moscow, specifically to No. 302 flat no. 50. It is very dark and Margarita notices that the staircase that she and Koroviev climb seems much too large for a Moscow flat. As they walk, Koroviev explains that Margarita is to be the hostess of the ball that Woland (or the Messire) will be thrown. They enter a bedroom, where Hella is putting ointment onto Woland’s knee. He is dressed in only a black nightshirt and slippers. He is also playing chess with Behemoth, who is dusty because he was under the bed searching for the knight. Oh, and he is dressed up in a white tie, binoculars, and gilded his whiskers (no pants, because cats look silly in pants). Oh, and also, the chess pieces are alive. Margarita notices a globe near Woland and that too is “alive.” You can see war and death and even the man who is responsible for orchestrating it all, Abaddon.

Azazello appears to announce that Natasha and a pig have arrived. Margarita is afraid when Woland orders the pig to the kitchen, as it is really her neighbor. But the only reason is that pigs should not be seen at the ball.

                                                                   The Great Ball at Satan's - Artist: Logerta Lodbrok - 2019

Chapter 23 - Satan's Rout

Natasha, Hella, and Behemoth get Margarita ready for the ball. She must wear a heavy necklace with a picture of black poodle around her neck. They also tell her that she must be nice to everyone, they will tell even if she is thinking bad things about them. Suddenly, Behemoth starts the ball with “Let the ball commence!”

They are now in what seems to be a rainforest that is the entranceway into the ballroom. Of course, Johann Straus is leading the orchestra next to another room where jazz band plays.

They stand next to a wine fountain as midnight arrives. The guests begin to appear --- in coffins that fall out of the fireplace. They are criminals, traitors, murders, etc. A woman, Freida, touches Margarita the most. She smothered her child that she could not care for with a handkerchief. She is haunted by the handkerchief.

She visits all the guests by flying around on her broom. Woland finally appears, but he is still in his nightshirt! Azazello appears with the head of Berlioz (remember it went missing). His skull is turned into a chalice – but for what you ask? The blood from a guest of course. As he drinks, ball clothes appear on Woland. As Margarita drinks from the chalice, the ball room disappears, and they are again in flat no. 50.

Chapter 24 – The Master is Released

The entourage is again back in Woland’s bedroom where it seems nothing has changed since the ball. As they eat, drink, and discuss the ball, a shooting competition breaks out between Azazello and Behemoth.

Margarita begins to think to herself that she has not received any information about the Master and begins to feel cheated and says she is going to leave. But she won’t ask for anything. The Master asks her what wish he can grant. Margarita asks for relief for Frieda. But, citing difficulty in changing things in various departments. Margarita can free her however, and she does.

Pleased again with her actions, Woland asks if there is anything personal, he can help her with. She requests to have her Master freed. And in an instant, there appears a very confused Master.

Woland asks a lot of questions and finally the Master talks of his novel on Pontius Pilate. When asked to see it, the Master replies that no one can – as it has been burned.

To everyone’s shock, Woland declares that “manuscripts don’t burn” and provides a copy of the manuscript. For her wish, Margarita asks for her and the Master to be returned to the basement flat to be loved alone and remain in love. Worried about facts like someone living in the flat or people realizing Master is no longer in the hospital, Woland kicks out the current tenant and re-writes everyone’s papers. Natasha remains a witch, at her own request, Ivanovich, now in human form, requests a note to explain his absence.

Everyone leaves out the window, while Margarita, Master, and Azazello will take the stairs. As a parting gift, Woland presents Margarita with a small gold horseshoe covered with diamonds. She loses is as she walks down the stairs and no other than Anna, who spilled the oil, recovers it. Azazello confronts her about it and it is returned to Margarita.

Margarita and the Master have been returned to the little basement apartment with the manuscript. Margarita waits for everything to disappear since this was all witchcraft. But nothing does and she settles in to read the manuscript as the Master sleeps.

                                                                                                                                                                                Nadya Rusheva

Chapter 25 - How the Procurator Tried to Save Judas of Kerioth

Following the executions, a hurricane is impacting Jerusalem. Pilate is resting, drinking wine, and yelling at his servants. A man named Aphranius arrives, and Pilate insists he change out of his wet clothes and eat and drink.

Pilate asks about the execution and Aphranius tells how Yeshua insisted the others drink the water and how he looked at everyone around him with a strange look on his face. Aphranius also tells of a man named Judas, who was bribed into telling the police about Yeshua. At this time, Pilate both asks Aphranius to protect and also to possibly murder Judas as the same time.

Pilate gives him little time to report back – to ensure the executed are buried and that to also hear about the matter on Judas.

Chapter 26 - The Burial

It is twilight and Banga is with his beloved master, Pilate. Aphranius starts off on his assignments, starting with making sure the executed are buried quickly. He then goes off to meet with Niza, the wife of a merchant. She leaves soon after he does.

Judas is rushing through the city and tries to get the attention of Niza, his secret lover. She says she is going to walk out of town and Judas begs to meet her. She finally agrees and she tells him to meet her by the olive grove in Gethsemane.

He follows after her but not too closely. At the grove, he is greeted by a hooded man who wants to know what he received in payment and quickly hands it over. Judas is killed by another man from behind. Aphranius makes his way to the city gates via horse.

At the same time, Pilate finally falls asleep and dreams that he is walking with Banga, and the moon is bright in the sky. Yeshua joins him. He says that they shall always be together. He is woken by a guard who tells him that Aphranius has returned.

Aphranius tells Pilate that he was unable to protect Judas. He also tells Pilate that Matthew had taken Yeshua’s body to a cave. Aphranius continues telling Pilate, they were able to convince him to help with the burial.

Chapter 27 – The Last of Flat Number 50

Margarita finishes reading the manuscript at dawn.

The investigation begins at Flat no 50. The investigators arrive, but it seems no one is there! They also begin to interview people, including Ivan, Stepa, Verenukha, and Ivanovich. The investigators return to the flat as Koroviev and Azazello are finishing breakfast. When they enter the flat, only Behemoth is present … and he’s holding a burner. They try to catch him, but of course a shoot-out occurs. Behemoth escapes but sets the apartment on fire as he does. As the whole building goes up in flames. As people watch, they see mysterious silhouettes fly out of the window of flat no. 50

                                                                           Hanna Benedychuk

Chapter 28 - The Last Adventures of Koroviev and Behemoth

Behemoth (now in the form of a man) and Koroviev are going to some shops at Griboyedov’s and are stopped by a woman who demands their identification. They eat chocolates without paying before gaining admission to a restaurant. The owner knows who they are and does not want to upset them at all. Investigators arrive and begin to shoot at Koroviev and Behemoth. The two disappear without being harmed but not before setting Griboyedov’s on fire.

Chapter 29 - Fate of the Master and Margarita

It is sunset, Woland and Azazello are sitting together when Matthew Levi appears with a message. Matthew has been sent by Yeshua, who read the Mater’s novel and wants to ask Woland to grant him peace. When Woland asks why Master should not go “into the light” Matthews answers that he has not earned light, but only peace.

Woland instructs Azazello to fly to Master and “arrange this.” As he leaves, Behemoth and Koroviev appear. Behemoth is carrying a salmon and burnt cook’s apron. Wolan presses them as to how and why Griboyedov has burned. They both explain that it “is a mystery.” They were minding their own business and then when the fire began … of course they went in to salvage what they could.

As a storm appears in the sky, Woland informs them there are no more orders and that they can now rest.

 

Chapter 30 - Time to Go

The Master and Margarita are in their basement apartment when Azazello comes to visit. He says that Woland would like them to go on a trip with them. They agree and Azazello offers a gift of the same wine that Pilate drank.

It is, however, poison. The lovers collapse.

Azazello goes to Margarita’s house … because now everyone is actually in two places. She is dying. Azazello rushes back to the apartment where Margarita is turning again into a witch. He uses the same wine to revive her and Master. Both are first angry and call Azazello a murder when they realize they are dead. Black horses away outside as Azazello sets the apartment on fire.

On their way to Woland, the Master asks to make one stop , which is to Ivan’s room 117. He introduces Margarita to him. Once they leave, the nurse enters Ivan’s room. Since, like Margarita, the Master is also in two places, she informs Ivan that the patient (the Master) who was in room 118, has died.

Chapter 31 - On the Sparrow Hills

As the storm departs, they all sit on black horses. They depart as Azazello and Behemoth whistle and create cracks in the earth, kills birds, and boil the water of the river. They all depart as the city vanishes behind them.

Chapter 32 - Absolution and Eternal Refuge

As the group flies farther from the city, Margarita notices a change in her companions, hastening back to who they once were: Koroviev is a "dark-violet night", Behemoth is slim youth, even The Master now has long, white hair. 

They arrive on a platform lit by stands of moonlight. Pilate and Banga await the guests. Woland wants to show The Master his "hero." His hero is stuck in time, held seemingly by the moonlight as he waits for Ha-Nostri all these thousands of years, even begging to trade places with Matthew the Levite. Margarita begs Woland to free Pilate, but it is The Master who can only free Pilate. 

"You're free!" The Master yells in a thunderous voice, causing the hillside to crumble. 

The Master and Margarita bid their companions farewell as they disappear into nothing. The Master and Margarita are in their new eternal home. The Master, like Pilate, feels free. 

Epilogue

In Moscow, the occurrences of the past few days are explained away by "visitors with unclean powers" from a gang of "highly skilled hypnotists and ventriloquists."

For years following that full moon in Moscow, many still get nervous around the full moon and all of the hijinks that was brought upon them by the devil in Moscow. 

                                                                                                        Anestazy