7-9

In these chapters I paid particular attention to the idea of exile and people “leaving”, and any political message that the exile might carry with it. The first mention of someone being sent away (in these chapters) is when Woland tells Styopa that he has “sent [Grunya] to Voronezh” (page 91). In my research on the significance of Voronezh I learned that in 1934 Stalin exiled Osip Mandelstam, a Russian poet, to Voronezh because of his writings. In other words, politically Voronezh has quite a bit of significance. Grunya would have been the only witness of Woland’s extermination of Styopa...(read more)
-Cracked Wristwatch

A recurring motif in Master and Margarita is the sensation of piercing needles in the Devil’s presence. At first, when Styopa asks Woland his name, he has difficulty because “at every word, somebody struck a needle into his brain, causing him infernal pain”. The mention of “somebody” implies that this is not a natural sensation, but a supernatural one, as a person is performing the action. Later, when Nikanor Ivanovich accepts the money from Korovlev, “a little needle seemed to prick [him] somewhere deep down in his heart”. The diction of this passage is remarkably similar to that describing Berlioz’s feeling at the park.
Finally, the series of events in which Ivanovich is framed is clearly indicative of social criticism. The suggestion that Ivanovich may be involved in suspect dealings, as well as his inability to explain himself, is reminiscent of the KGB. That Bulkagov portrays it as supernatural allows him to conceal the intentions of his work.
- Runaway Knight


What most stood out to me about these chapters of The Master And Margarita was the contrast between the situations of Styopa and Ivan. While Styopa wakes up to an “unknown man dressed in black, with a black beret”, Ivan wakes to “a plump, pleasant woman in a clean white uniform”. Not only does the figure of a woman seem less intimidating, but the fact that she is dressed in white – a pure and innocent colour (in contrast to the man’s black) emphasizes the pleasantness of the situation. Futhermore, while Styopa feels as if he is “about to fly headfirst to the devil’s own mother in hell”, Ivan has a “bathtub [with] a gleaming faucet” and “was given everything a man need after a bath.” Additionally, in contrast to the devilish trio in Styopa’s apartment, “three persons – two women and one man, all of them in white”, attend to Ivan. It seems to me that Styopa is in a hellish situation while Ivan is in a heavenly one.
I also noticed a few more references to “needle[s]”, the symbolism of which I am still not certain.
-Primus Stove


In Chapters seven through nine, the reader discovers that the devilish trio indeed does have the power to create events. Not only can they transport people from one place to another, they can manipulate people and create objects. In addition, Bulgakov further obfuscates the truth from the reader by only letting us know the events through the devilish characters' narrations, which cannot be trusted. The reader is left hanging, uncertain what to believe. Essentially, in these three chapters, the devil is clearly in control, wreaking havoc, and inducing people to sin....(read more)
-Black Poodle


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...(read more)
-Powdered Whiskers


I'm not sure what to make of this trio/ trinity theme. We have the Christian Trinity, and I thought to mirror that trinity there were to be the three of the Professor, the choirmaster and the tom cat. Even on the professor's pocket watch, there is a diamond triangle, which I noted because I thought it emphasized the three. Then, this fiery red-headed character comes along! Who is he? He makes me think that the three are not all one entity as the Christian Trinity is, as I thought before. Now, I think that they are all separate characters, the fallen angels and Woland of course as Satan...(read more)
-Apricot Soda

Here are some questions to consider:
Who is threatening to shoot Styopa in the beginning of Chapter 7 and why? Are we to assume it is the Professor Woland or someone from Styopa’s dream world? Next, why do people “disappear” from apartment Number 50, and why is it only wives that do so (84)? Why does the Woland only accept Styopa’s offer of drink and not food? What does this reflect of our perception of evil and power, as one and as separate entities? What was this “somewhat dubious conversation” on April 24 between Styopa and Berlioz and did it have anything to do with religion (Easter Sunday could have been this day) (89)? What is the meaning of the Evil Trinity’s entrance through the mirror? Who is this Azazello fellow and how does he fit into the former Evil Trinity? Why and how is Styopa sent to Yalta?...(read more)
-Golden Horseshoe

The events that occur in these three events are more coherent, without many jumps in time or space. In chapter 7, there are some mysterious things going on in the apartment, as the title "Sinister Apartment" suggests. Since two years ago, people randomly disappear without any reason, and the wives of Berlioz and Styopa both vanished within a month after they moved in. Then, Woland is sitting right next to Styopa when he wakes up extremely hung over. These three chapters, again, provoke the question of whether the Devil is capable of simply predicting the future or actually creating one. Woland claims that they signed a contract yesterday for seven performances at the theater, but ...(read more)
-Spanish Boot