24-25

I thought that chapter 24 provided some really interesting new information regarding the idea we have been discussing about whether Woland and God are part of one larger power and if God can do anything that Woland cannot. Most helpful, to me, was Woland’s mention of the “departments” (page 296). Margarita essentially asks Woland to have mercy on Frieda, and Woland claims he will not (or cannot) for the power to do so is out of his “department”. In Woland’s words, “What sense is there in doing what is properly the task of another…department, as I put it?” (page 296). This classification of powers...(read more)
-Cracked Wristwatch

This portion of the Master and Margarita recalls explicitly the book's epigraph, that Hellish forces“eternally works evil and eternally works good”. Although they had converted Varenukha to a vampire, they return him to his human form, having taught him not to “lie” or “be rude over the telephone”; they grant second chances. Furthermore, it seems as if the foursome actually wills good, but takes a Machiavellian approach to achieving their aims. It seems as though they are good; Behemoth states that he “would rather see his paws wither than touch someone else’s property” and Koroviev advises Annushka not to take another person’s property; they abhor those who do evil for selfish reasons. Accentuating this point, Woland rewards Margarita for “never ask[ing] for anything… especially of those who are stronger than [her]”. In addition, after reuniting Margarita with the Master, Woland rewards them unnecessarily by restoring their Pontius Pilate manuscripts, which “cannot burn”, and returning them to their old house. This passage makes it seem as if the character of this book, whom were thought to be evil, may not be quite so.
-Runaway Knight

I was struck early on by how by the seemingly normal interactions shared by the devilish beings of the chapter. They make suggestions to each other, make small talk and even argue with one another. It is the most human that they have appeared over the course of the novel.
Coinciding nicely with this observation is Woland’s apparent lack of true omniscience. Despite the awesome displays have power that he has demonstrated, he alone among his peers, is the only one not to know the “the critic Latunsky”.
Also making Woland seem more human is his consideration for Margarita. He admires her pity and morals and so allows her a second wish after she uses her first one to relieve Frieda’s suffering.
-Primus Stove

Chapter 24 really changed my perception of the devil characters. Not only are they capable of punishment and evil, they also give rewards and grant forgiveness. When Woland tells Margarita that she can have any wish she wants, he tells her outright, that she had been tested, and because of her great pride of character and honesty, he would offer her whatever she wanted. Then when Varenhuka appears, Behemoth allows him to return into a human and return home, on the condition that he no longer lies. Rather than promote sin, now they seem to be propagating good. Again, God and the devil seem to have the same goals, just through different means. ...(read more)
-Black Poodle

So, in 24, the devil essentially tries to make sure rhetoric the margarita and the master live happily ever after! He uses his limitless power (which is really shown to be limitless in this chapter) to change reality for their benefit, and gives them everything they need to be happy. This is because the margarita does not ask anything of him. In a way, he is reaffirming morals here, which makes him truly good and bad. Following that vein of thought...(read more)
-Powdered Whiskers


So, Woland can be good? or has he always been good. He's rewarding Margarita, for passing the test. What was the test? was the test selfishness when asked what she wanted? He forgives Varenukha, sending him home. He brings the Master to Margarita, gives him some sort of healing drink. But, giving mercy to Frieda was not up his alley, and belonged to another department, perhaps the one God is in? They work for the same broad objective, but with different methods and maybe intentions? When Margarita felt embarrassed of her nakedness I immediately though EVE!...unfortunately that is all I thought. I couldn't find any difference between when she was comfortable being naked (pure non-apple-eating Eve) and when she was ashamed of being naked (sin!)...(read more)
-Apricot Soda

I have begun to see good in Woland. He could be both God and the Devil. The hints at what power he has and has not were what lead me down this path. “‘We have been testing you,’” Woland says to Margarita (294). Although a very different kind a test, the Biblical story where the father had to kill his son under God’s command popped up in my head. Fortunately for the son, God called the murder off at the last minute. So God was testing the father just as Woland was testing Margarita.

Woland then offers Margarita anything she wants. When she wishes for the good of someone else, he refuses to do it because it is the duty of another “department” (296). He then gives Margarita the power to do the deed herself. And she does, but it doesn’t count as her one wish. She then asks for the Master.

Throughout the “Evocation of the Master” it is still midnight. Margarita, as mystified as the reader, takes note of this and asks Woland about it. Woland responds: “‘It’s pleasant sometimes to detain a holiday midnight for a while’” (306). So now the reader knows he is control of time. And when the evil retinue kicks Aloisy Mogarych out of his apartment so that Margarita and the Master may have it back, Koroviev says “‘he never was here’” (302). Sure this is a simple statement, but it implies that they really have the power to change the past; that’s pretty scary.
-Golden Horseshoe

Chapter 24 contains two important themes to observe: the duality of Margarita and the limitations of the devil's powers. During the seminar, we pointed out that Margarita turned fully into a witch, and it seemed like Koroviev had complete control over the submissive Margarita during the ball. In the next chapter, we still witness her evil side, making her seem like a member of the devil gang, but we also see a bit of the uncontaminated, naive Margarita. To begin with, she addresses Woland as "Messire," just as Koroviev, Azazello and the tom do, which hints that she has completely melted into the group. Then, when the tom offers her some mysterious transparent liquid, she has no suspicions....(read more)
-Spanish Boot