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.
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