In these three chapters, the true powers of the trio (or four-o?) become apparent. We discussed in class how they seem to have god-like powers, and this is REALLY evident in 7-9. The interpreter can make pretty much whatever he wants happen. He can see the future, he can change objects, and make them appear and disappear. It's in this way that he manages to make 5000 rubles just appear! Woland also has the power to spontaneously move Styopa to Yalta, which is a gorgeous place, but is in Ukraine, on the coast of the Black Sea. So we're left wondering: If they have SO MUCH power, why are they just causing small disturbances here and there? What is their objective? To cause havoc? I really can't see that they would go to all this trouble to screw with the lives of a couple of people. So let's think:
They've come to Russia on the premise of practicing black magic (a fairly ingenious cover). They've been targeting small people so far, but there must be a greater objective! Woland (the boss), is going to be performing black magic on stage at the theatre, although, what type of black magic? That we don't know. It seems that is what the four-o is seeking; an audience. It makes logical sense, then, that they should come to Russia, where religion is frowned upon. There are no pre-conceptions to get in the way of their activities and what I perceive to be their mission of instilling a belief in the devil, hell and black magic. It seems to me that this four-o has come to "restore faith" in the dark side of christianity.
Something that is never explained in chapter 7 is why the narrator calls the tenant Styopa Likhodeyev, and Woland calls him Stephan Bogdano, and despite this confusion, Styopa does not bat a lid in response! I looked up Stephan Bogdano, but apart from a somewhat failed chemist by the name of Stefan Bogdanov, there seems to be nothing. I remain mystified by this name game.
This is, of course, where we learn that the Professor's name is Woland, German for devil. Which is at this point more of a polite concession to the reader than a discovery. We do meet another member of the gang, making it a five-o or six-o...poly-o. There remains the quorum trio, but there are these "minions" everywhere like the buccaneer, pontius pilate and now Azazello. Azazello is a reference to the fallen angel Azazel who gives humans weapons and make-up and other sinful things.
Ivan seems to have cooled off a bit in the hospital: he no longer destroys things, and realises that the best option is not to blabber on about pontius pilate because people will think he's crazy! The head doctor who he meets, is Stravinsky. Stravinsky was a composer of classical music, and it's interesting to look at him as a composer of Ivan. He calms him down and literally composes him, giving him a plan and rationalising his situation. There is a hint that perhaps he is one of the minions when Ivan determines that he uses the same language as did one of the trio in the park, but it seems Stravinsky is doing no real damage currently, so I can neither support nor refute that.
Moving on further, there is another dramatic parallel to the Death of Ivan at the beginning of chapter 9, when the surrounding tenants lay claim to the newly dead man's apartment. The desire for these three extra rooms is absurd, with death threats, suicide threats, admissions of secret pregnancy and fantastic tales. Quite what the desire for these three rooms is, I'm not sure. The interpreter's name and profession are really just whims to satisfy Nikanor. Do we feel sorry for Nikanor? I think so. Although he took the bribe and the extortion and greedily also asked for free tickets, the interpreter was extremely persuasive, and could even have had power of his mind (as the trio's powers hardly seem enumerated.)
-Powdered Whiskers
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