Home
Creators
Search Recent Random
Posts
Search DMs Popular Hash Lookup Tags Random
Importer
Import FAQ
Register Favorites Keys Review DMs Logout
Community
Telegram ThePornDude
Home Creators Posts Import Register Favorites Logout

The Master and Margarita Lecture: The Great Ball at Satan's (Chapters XIII-XXIII) (Patreon)

Published:
2024-03-23 21:33:12
Imported:
2026-06
Tags:
haven't archived this post yet. have a subscription? use the importer!

Downloads

  • Book Club Master Margarita Three Bulgakov.mp3

Missing 2 full-res photos, 1 file, as this post has not yet been imported.

Content

'Follow me, reader! Who told you that there is no true, faithful, eternal love in this world! May the liar's vile tongue be cut out!'

Today our journey through Bulgakov's captivating masterpiece continues. We are meeting the master, Margarita, and experiencing Woland's great ball.

We're discussing meta-fictionality, the fifth dimension, true love, truthful art, Bulgakov vs the critics, burning manuscripts, witches, Walpurgisnacht, the problem of theodicy, wish-fulfilment, emotionally demanding reading, and much more.

Timestamps:

0:00 our meeting with the master

2:00 the truthful writer as hero

4:00 novel as wish-fulfilment fantasy

6:00 the master as Bulgakov surrogate

8:00 seemingly innocuous face of evil

10:00 the slippery slope argument

12:00 the psychiatric ward fills up

14:00 the master’s novel about Pilate

15:00 Bulgakov’s meta-fictionality

16:00 last words of the master’s novel

17:00 why novels are portable souls

18:00 what is the fifth dimension?

22:00 printed page as infinite space

23:00 spirituality-creativity relationship

24:00 where do we go when we read?

26:00 travelling the universe in our minds

27:00 Bulgakov falls in love with Elena

28:00 can you love someone before you meet?

30:00 who is the character of Margarita based on?

32:00 Bulgakov/the master vs the soviet critics

34:00 striking out at Bulgakovism/Pilatism

36:00 why did Bulgakov relate to Molière?

37:00 when Bulgakov burnt his manuscript

39:00 rage springing from not being truthful

38:00 Margarita’s fury on behalf of her love

40:00 octopus with tentacles around the heart

41:00 anguish & feeling a split in identity

42:00 the master burns his manuscript

43:00 this is how one pays for lying

44:00 the dream of Nikanor Ivanovich

46:00 execution of Yeshua on Bald Mountain

48:00 realism in Bulgakov’s biblical chapters

49:00 specificity, detail & illusion of reality

51:00 reader, devil & God as invisible force

53:00 Bulgakov’s representation of Matthew

54:00 meditating on the betrayal of Judas

56:00 dramatising the problem of theodicy

58:00 emotional demands of reading the gospels

59:00 Bulgakov’s novel vs Matthew’s Gospel

1:03:00 strange happenings continue in Moscow

1:04:00 Bulgakov’s inspiration for Behemoth

1:06:00 making the metaphorical literal

1:07:00 the devil’s retinue create mayhem

1:09:00 seeing humanity on mass in the theatre

1:11:00 Bulgakov speaks to the reader

1:13:00 meeting the character of Margarita

1:14:00 reading the fire-damaged book

1:15:00 does vanishing mean never existing?

1:16:00 who is Azazello inspired by?

1:17:00 when Margarita becomes a witch

1:21:00 the destruction of Latunsky’s apartment

1:23:00 Satan’s spring ball in the fifth dimension

1:25:00 on the Walpurgisnacht celebration

1:28:00 celebrating the ball with Margarita

1:29:00 Behemoth & Woland play chess

1:31:00 contemplating the devil’s globe

1:33:00 experiencing the great ball at Satan’s

1:37:00 Berlioz head brought out on a platter

1:39:00 blood symbolising both life & death

1:41:00 what are you making of the novel?

1:43:00 expressing my gratitude for you

Resources to Explore:

Banning Books: In light of today's lecture, you might also find the following discussion to be worth checking out: Should a Book Ever Be Banned, Censored, or Burned?

Letters & Stories: At this point of the journey, you likely know if Bulgakov is a writer whose works you want to read more of. If you do, you might find his Diaries and Selected Letters to be fascinating. You might also enjoy the short stories contained in Diaboliad.

Reader Recommendations: I'm deeply grateful for readers providing so many excellent book recommendations in the discussions. Some phenomenal and complementary reader recommendations that I'm currently loving are: 'The Power Tactics of Jesus Christ,' 'The Way of a Pilgrim,' and 'Godric.'

Ballet Appreciation: Treat yourself to a viewing of this ballet on the Walpurgisnacht scene for a production of Gounod's Faust. And here is the ball scene from a great television adaptation of the novel.

Music Appreciation: Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones weren't the only musicians inspired by Bulgakov. The great Patti Smith would tell her fans in an interview to read The Master and Margarita in order to understand her album 'Banga'.

Molière: At time of writing, we will have our 'how to read' for Molière next weekend. You don't need to do anything to prepare because the discussion will be introductory. But you may find Bulgakov's 'The Life of Monsieur Molière' to offer an interesting bridge between writers.

Reading Assignment:

Congratulations on bringing yourselves so powerfully to Bulgakov's masterpiece. Our next discussion will take us through to the end of the novel, which runs to page 396.

Questions for You:

1) Which part of the story resonates with you the most?

2) What are your impressions of the title characters?

3) Can you understand a writer burning their work?

And please do share with us your favourite passages, ideas, and characters from this part of the story.

Happy reading, everybody!

Files

Previews only

Comments

Aaron Kyereh-Mireku

Really enjoying The Master and Margarita so far. I don't know if I am getting all of the symbolism (despite my Christian upbringing which should presumably give me an advantage over other readers), and there is so much going on from moment to moment that it becomes quite difficult to follow the thread of events, but Bulgakov somewhat makes up for that with how sensationally funny the book is. And oh the satisfaction the reader feels when the Devil comes to town and shows up the stupidity and inefficiency of the Soviet system and the greed, incompetence and idiocy of the bureaucracy that runs it. It is just as well the whole thing was not published until after he was dead - he would have gotten into sooooo much trouble. What is particularly striking is Bulgakov's fixation with naked women. I'd like to think he wasn't just being horny, but was making a wider point about the nakedness of the Soviet system and its false boasts of its superiority, but setting symbolism aside, the image of hundreds of Soviet women running down the streets of Moscow completely naked after the chaos of the seance at which they have all been swindled and conned into thinking they were wearing luxury clothing, never ceases to amuse. Margarita's nakedness seems to symbolise something different - a tearing off of the restrictions of the system that has ruined her and her beloved master, a joyous escape from conformity and tyranny. Among the most entertaining scenes in the story is when she smashes up Latunsky's apartment and brings bedlam to the whole building, to which the authorities are powerless to respond. The wholesale emasculation of the seemingly all-powerful Soviet system in the face of Margarita's wrath is deeply satisfying. There is also a blasphemous inversion of the traditional role of the Devil when he restores to the master and Margarita everything they had lost, thus meting out justice to the victims of bureaucratic tyranny and punishing their oppressors.

Phil
>>134040879

You make an interesting comment regarding the role of the devil. If we regard him as a prosecutor and not a malevolent force separate from God, then it would make sense that he carries out justice, balancing the good with the bad. And yes the symbolism of nakedness. I think of the Chernobyl disaster as the Soviet Union getting caught with its pants down, exposing to the world fundamental flaws in their system, ultimately contributing to its downfall.

Linda

Hi Phil, Thank you so much for your comment and welcoming. You know, I am not well versed enough in theology to answer your question. I do however have a friend who is a retired monk and has taught theology for over 40 years and your question is a thought provoking one, so I will ask him. I am with you in that Jesus as the son of God was not anyone to be feared and to me God is a God of mercy and love, with Jesus’ last words being ‘forgive them, they do not know what they do. I look forward to finishing the book and engaging more! Linda

Helen Lyons

Thanks Ben for the great lecture. What do I think of this book? It's chaotic, wacky and sometimes all over the place but I am enjoying it. There are some very funny parts - the chaos that the devil causes in Moscow and the steady parade to the psychiatric ward. It's such an original work for it's time. How frustrated Bulgakov must have been to live in Russia at the time. The ludicrous bureaucratic systems and rules. I witnessed some of this when I visited Russia a long time ago but cannot imagine living through the period of Stalin. It must have been therapeutic for Bulgakov? I cannot understand anyone burning their work but I know many have. Can you imagine some of the things that have been destroyed over centuries. I enjoyed part 2 more than part 1.

Jamie Otelsberg

Hi everyone, I absolutely love this book. I wish I could better articulate all of the reasons why, but for now I will attempt to answer the questions. 1. I was raised Jewish but without much religious background. I know nothing of the New Testament so all of the reads so far have been educational for me. I love everything Woland related, but I was specifically drawn to the Pilate sections of the book and find myself wanting to go down a book of Matthew rabbit hole, or explore some of the other Gospels. I started watching "The Chosen" on netflix, and I am wondering what others think of it. It was not lost on me that I was finishing the book right up into Good Friday and Easter. That definitely packed more of a punch into those holidays for me, as I've never really paid much attention to the religious aspect of that week. 2. The title characters were intriguing because they came in so late. There is never a real understanding of who the protaganist is, it feels divided up among many but that kept things interesting. I kept finding myself expecting more from Margarita when she first entered. Like I didn't expect her to fall for Woland and the gang's tricks. For instance when she put the cream on initially I was like, "wait, I thought you were smarter than all of the others!" But it all turned out for the best! There were a lot of surprises in this book. I find myself wanting to know more of the Master. 3. Yes, I can understand a writer burning there work, and the ultimate frustration around creativity and originality. But what the Master/Bulgalkov faced must have felt so infuriating, tragic and really scary at the same time that I could imagine that this time period must have driven many creative people to extremes.

Maur

I am behind and have settled down to catch up and cannot retrieve the lecture HELP.

Robin Floor

Bulgakov used opium, well, that explains alot. I loved the M&M, it was like "Alice Through the Looking Glass" for twisted adults.

Theresa Wood

1. The part of the story that has resonated with me so far is how little it takes for people to invite the devil into their lives. Margaritas says one time, "Ah, truly, I'd pawn my soul to the devil just to find out whether he's alive or not..." and that's all it takes for the devil to show up. It's been awhile since I read Dr. Faustus, but his invocation of the devil seemed more purposeful and planned. This seems so casual-- an offhand remark is all it takes. 2. The title characters are oddly likeable so far. They're written almost like star-crossed lovers. Maybe it takes the devil himself to defeat Stalin and his regime or to survive it. 3. I can understand a writer burning their work. I've almost destroyed my work when, after a period of years, it no longer "sounds" like me. I'm mining it instead. If something I had worked on forever had been rejected AND used as an instrument to intimidate me, I might destroy it too. I can see a writer surrendering at some point because the consequences were too great.

Sarah Steinke

1) Which part of the story resonates with you the most? I wouldn't say its a specific part, more so, its the irony and absurdity and the themes that I am resonating with most. It is exactly my sense of humor and perfectly suited for me at this time in my life. I'm living in what feels like very chaotic and absurd times, so I especially appreciate and welcome it. 2) What are your impressions of the title characters? I am finding that I am quite taken with Woland's retinue, The Master and Margarita and not so much any of the other characters. Though they are making decisions and acting in ways I don't see myself ever condoning or doing myself, they are charming, just like the devil, right? I am seeing them all as puppets to entertain and show and tell the jokes, jokes that are also deadly serious, but lets not be too serious or we'll end up in the asylum too. 3) Can you understand a writer burning their work? Yes but always hold out hope they'd find it in themselves to forgive/be gracious and merciful towards and love themselves enough not to.

CIN27

I've always loved the character of pontious pilate (i watched "jesus christ superstar" as a kid). Reading this book, the flash back of the first scene was so enjoyable and considering the mantra of "what is truth" through the gaslighting in moscow was interesting. Bulgakov described the terror children feel at night so perfectly in the scene when Lehkodeev is looking out the window at the tree. Finally, the strongest emotional reaction I've had was when Margarita compared her suffering to "poor Mathew Levi." i never would have empathized with Levi if she didn't first.

Denise Powers

I am so enjoying this book, I hardly know where to start with this! I did think it a little slow at the start, but Benjamin did warn us early of that and urged us to give it a few chapters. I am so glad I did. Since about page 60 or so, I have found this a romping good read. It is very funny (I have too many smiley faces in the paragraphs to count) and the language is superb. The characters are fantastic (although I do find I still get lost with the names - I have to keep checking back to figure out who's who). The idea of Bulgakov writing this in Stalin's Russia makes me feel such awe for the man, I wasn't able to view the documentary in the supplementary reading/viewing suggestions, but I am listening to the book Stalin by Simon Sebag and it is terrifying. I think of how Bulgakov must have thought of Stalin as a satanic figure, considering the famine he created that killed over a million of his own people, not to mention his restriction of art and artists. The references to the people disappearing in the novel and of similar disappearing in his day to day life jolt me to the core. My favourite scene is definitely the Ball. The description of the animals playing the instruments and the loud music reminds me of scenes of a Star Wars bar. Characters: Behemoth does make me laugh at every turn of the page, but Margarita has stolen my heart. I marvel at her trust in Woland and his retinue, but then I understand that she is at the point in her life where she has nothing left to lose: she will either do this in hopes of seeing her Master again, or she is going to die by suicide. And so, in all of her love and the strength that she didn't even know she had, she does her bidding, but with intention and commitment: not as a victim, not under duress. I kept wondering if Woland would turn on her at some point, but he was honourable, respectable and a man of his word. Not bad character for a devil. It is all the greedy, self-agrandizing, lying thieves that earn his disdain and find themselves on the short end of his stick. But he respects Margarita for her intelligence and her commitment to the man she loves. This brings around Benjamin's theory that good/evil, light/dark, love/hate, life/death, are all the same thing. Even Satan is a guy who can be trusted, as long as you approach him with pure intention. Yes! it is wonderful here in my little naive corner of the world.