26-27 (Golden Horseshoe)

Why couldn’t the Procurator to bring himself indoors? While he is waiting for Aphranius to return, with news on Yehudah’s murder, the Procurator “refuse[s] to go within. He had ordered his bead made on the balcony, where he had dined, and where he had conducted the interrogation in the morning” (333). And the moon seems to be plaguing Pilate; as it rises higher and higher in the sky his anxiety grows. But if it bothers him, why doesn’t he go inside and escape the torture? And who is the philosopher he dreams of once he finally does escape to the dream world (334)? And most importantly, what reason does the Procurator have for plotting Yehudah’s murder? There is this whole conspiracy that is slowly revealed to the reader; first one thinks Aphranius is betraying Pilate, but then one learns that Yehudah’s lover is involved and eventually Pilate. Did the order come from Rome or did Pilate make the decision for his own personal reasons? Also, was Woland present in this chapter as well?

“End of Apartment Number 50” is to be expected, although to be honest I had to think long and hard about all the different characters that are restored in this chapter. Aside from that I notice a lot of mention of crystals as on 346 and 357. Crystals are supposed to symbolize purity, innocence, and virginity. But apparently in Shakespearian times they also stood for the four elements of life force: Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water. It is interesting that there are crystals in Satan’s headquarters.
Why does everyone want to be locked up? I haven’t found anything other than fear that makes them ask for an “armored cell,” but I can’t help wondering if that wasn’t a part of Woland’s plan all along—to get people locked up (351).
And finally, what was with Behemoth and the benzine? Did it really bring him back to life? Does that mean that he is mortal? Does that mean that the entire retinue is mortal? We have all probably made the assumption that the Devil is immortal, but could he and God both be mortal? Could God already be dead?

Or was it all a game? “The bullets produced no effect whatsoever” on Behemoth or the men (357). That really is going to be difficult to rationalize. Could it have been Woland’s power that protected them all? But if he is the Devil, wouldn’t he want more people to suffer and die? Then in the last two pages, the voices of Woland, Koroviev, and Azazello are heard. So the reader is to assume they were there all along? Can they make themselves invisible? If that’s the case why did Behemoth remain in plain view? Just for kicks?
-Golden Horseshoe