October 1 and we embark once again the reading of The Master and Margarit. 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!
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.
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.
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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.
