28-32 (Cracked Wristwatch)

I really liked Koroviev’s and Behemoth’s discussions of writers and fame in chapter 28.  We have talked quite a bit about Woland’s statement that “manuscripts don’t burn,” but I hadn’t seen too much more discussion of the idea until this chapter.  Behemoth claims that “Dostoevksy is immortal,” and since Dostoevsky died in 1881, I took this to mean that he was immortal because of his works (or manuscripts) (page 362).  In other words, the truth writers capture with their words gives them immortality.  I think this idea would have particular significance to Bulgakov who was forbidden to publish his masterpiece due to Russian censorship.  He could very well be saying that the truth of this book (although I am far from certainty over what that truth is) cannot be destroyed or killed by the censorship of the Soviet press.

Also, in chapter 29, Woland seems to confirm the idea that good and evil are one.  In his words, “what would your good be doing if there were no evil,” (page 368).  In other words, nothing has the potential to be good if it does not have the potential to be evil.  I particularly like his metaphor of the shadow.  He points out that if there are to be trees (and beings etc.) and light, there must be shadows.  As a result, humans can either have all of it (the good and the evil) or nothing at all.  By this logic, by providing the world with evil, Woland is allowing there to be good in the world.  Therefore, it can be argued that, in the broader sense, he is actually good.

I was also interested by Woland’s differentiation between “light” and “peace” regarding the fate of the Master.  According to Woland, the Mater has “has not earned light, he earned peace,” and he is even sad about this fact (page 369).  Does this mean that Master is allowed to escape the chaos and confusion of the world (through death?) but that he has not earned entrance into heaven?  Other thoughts?

In addition, I was particularly intrigued by the “deaths” of the Master and Margarita.  I could be completely off with this, but the way they died and their spirits rose reminded me of Christ’s resurrection.  This would also tie in nicely with the time period, as the modern day thread takes place in days leading up to Easter (which was Christ’s resurrection).  We talked about the Jesus symbolism surrounding Margarita during Satan’s ball with her “crown of thorns”, but are the Master and Margarita meant to represent Jesus?
-Cracked Wristwatch