Paper Summary:

This paper explains that Mikhail Bulgakov's classic novel "The Master and Margarita" is a tale within a tale with multiple stories told from different perspectives in different settings. Next, the author relates the plots of the first setting in 1930s Russia that is the time period in which Bulgakov was writing, of the second setting in Jerusalem that is a story about Christ and Pontius Pilate and of the third setting in a fantasy land, based on 1930s Moscow. The paper stresses that the novel is satirizing Stalinist Russia, a period of grave political restrictions on artists and authors.

From the Paper:

"The second setting of the novel is Jerusalem depicted by the Master in his story of Christ and Pontius Pilate. While this is clearly historical fiction, it is interesting to observe how Bulgakov changes his story-telling approach when discussing Jerusalem. Generally, the story of Christ is replete with supernatural elements, because he reportedly worked numerous miracles and was believed to be the human manifestation of God. However, in this novel, the setting of Jerusalem is a mundane setting, which appears more realistic and less fantastic than either of the other settings used in the novel."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bulgakov, Mikhail. The Master and Margarita. New York: Penguin Group, 1966.

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