The novel by Mikhail Bulgakov “The Master and Margarita” received universal recognition, although this happened after the death of its author. The story of the creation of the work spans several decades - after all, when Bulgakov died, his wife continued his work, and it was she who achieved the publication of the novel. Unusual composition, vivid heroes and their difficult fate - all this made the novel interesting for any time.
First drafts
In 1928, the writer first came up with the idea of a novel, which later became known as "The Master and Margarita." The genre of the work was not yet determined, but the main idea was to write a work about the devil. Even the first titles of the book spoke of this: “The Black Magician”, “Satan”, “Consultant with a Hoof”. There were a large number of drafts and versions of the novel. Some of these papers were destroyed by the author, and the remaining documents were published in the general collection.
Bulgakov began work on his novel in a very difficult time. His plays were prohibited, the author himself was considered a "non-bourgeois" writer, and his work was proclaimed hostile to the new system. The first text of the work was destroyed by Bulgakov - he burned his manuscripts in flames, after which he only remained with sketches of scattered chapters and a couple of draft notebooks.
Later, the writer tries to return to work on the novel, but the poor physical and psychological state caused by severe overwork, do not allow him to do this.
Eternal love
Only in 1932 Bulgakov returned to work on the novel, after which the Master was created first, and then Margarita. Her appearance, as well as the emergence of the idea of eternal and great love, is associated with the writer’s marriage to Elena Shilovskaya.
Bulgakov no longer hopes to see his novel in print, but continues to work hard on it. Having devoted the work to more than 8 years, the writer prepares the sixth draft edition, completed in meaning. After that, the text continued to be worked out, amendments were made, the structure, genre and composition of the novel “The Master and Margarita” finally developed. It was then that the writer finally decided on the name of the work.
Mikhail Bulgakov continued to edit the novel until his death. Even before his death, when the writer was almost blind, he ruled the book with the help of his wife.
Publishing a novel
After the death of the writer, his wife had the main goal in life - to achieve publication of the novel. She independently edited the work and printed it. In 1966, the novel was published in the journal Moscow. This was followed by a translation into European languages, as well as a publication in Paris.
Genre of work
Bulgakov called the novel “The Master and Margarita” the novel, the genre of which is so unique that the debates of literary critics about the category of the book never subside. It is defined as a myth novel, philosophical novel, and medieval drama on the themes of the Bible. Bulgakova’s novel unites almost all the lines of literature that exist in the world. A unique work makes its genre and composition. “The Master and Margarita” is a masterpiece with which it is impossible to draw parallels. After all, such books cannot be found in either domestic or foreign literature.
Novel composition
The composition “Masters and Margarita” is a double novel. Two stories are told, one about the Master, and the other about Pontius Pilate. Despite the opposition to each other, they create a single whole.
Two times intertwined in the novel "The Master and Margarita." The genre of the work allows you to combine the biblical period and Bulgakov's Moscow.
Three plot lines are connected at once, which give rise to a vivid and unique narrative. After all, this is the love of the Master and Margarita, the philosophy of Yeshua and Pilate, as well as the mysticism surrounding Woland and his retinue.
Question of the fate of man in the novel
The plot of the book is a debate between Berlioz, the Homeless and the stranger on the subject of the existence of God. Homeless believes that man himself controls the order on earth and all fates, but the development of the plot shows the incorrectness of his position. After all, the author says that human knowledge is relative, and his life path is predetermined in advance. But at the same time, he claims that a person is responsible for his fate. Throughout the novel, Bulgakov raises such topics. The Master and Margarita, whose genre weaves even biblical chapters into the narrative, raises questions: “What is truth? Are there eternal values that remain unchanged? ”
Modern life merges with the history of Pontius Pilate. The master did not withstand the injustice of life, but was able to obtain immortality in Eternity itself. A peculiar genre of the novel “The Master and Margarita” weaves both lines of the plot in one place - Eternity, where the Master and Pilate were able to find forgiveness.
The issue of personal responsibility in the novel
In his work, Bulgakov shows fate as a string of interconnected events. By chance, the meeting of the Master and Margarita occurred, Berlioz died, and Yeshua's life became dependent on the Roman governor. The author emphasizes the mortality of man and believes that when planning his life, one should not exaggerate his capabilities.
But the writer leaves the heroes a chance to change their lives and correct the direction of fate for a more favorable one. To do this, violate their moral principles. So, Yeshua can lie, and then he will live. If the Master begins to write, “like everyone else”, then he will be accepted into the circle of writers, and the works will be printed. Margarita must commit the murder, but cannot agree to this, even if the victim is a man who ruined the life of her lover. Some heroes change their destinies, but others do not use the chances given to them.
The image of Margarita
All characters have their own doubles, which are shown in the mythological world. But there are no people similar to Margarita in the work. This emphasizes the uniqueness of a woman who, for the sake of saving her beloved, makes a deal with the devil. The heroine combines love for the Master and hatred for his persecutors. But even in the grip of madness, smashing the apartment of the literary critic and frightening all the residents of the house, she remains merciful, reassuring the child.
The image of the Master
Modern literary scholars agree that the image of the Master is autobiographical, because there is a lot in common between the writer and the main character. This is a partial external resemblance - a figure, a cap-cap. But it’s also the emotional despair that covers both of them that creative work is being put on the table without any future.
For the writer, the theme of creativity is very important, because he is convinced that only the complete sincerity and ability of the author to convey the truth to the heart and mind can provide the work with eternal value. So, the Master, who puts his soul in the manuscripts, is opposed by a whole crowd, so indifferent and blind. Literary critics persecute Masters, drive him to insanity and abandoning his own work.
The fates of the Master and Bulgakov are inextricably linked, because both of them considered it their creative duty to help people regain faith that justice and good remained in the world. And also encourage readers to search for truth and fidelity to their ideals. After all, the novel says that love and creativity can overcome everything in its path.
Even after many years, Bulgakov’s novel continues to appeal to readers, defending the theme of true love - true and eternal.