The Master and Margarita

Main Ideas

• The struggle between good and evil: The book explores the eternal battle between good and evil, represented through the characters of Woland and his entourage, as well as Yeshua and Pontius Pilate.
• Freedom and unfreedom: The theme of freedom and lack thereof runs throughout the novel, from the personal freedom of the characters to the freedom of creativity and thought.
• Love and sacrifice: The love between the Master and Margarita is portrayed as a force capable of overcoming any obstacles and trials, including sacrifice for a loved one.
• Religion and faith: The book raises questions of religion, faith, and spirituality, especially through the parallel story of Yeshua and Pontius Pilate.
• Satire on society: Bulgakov uses satire to critique Soviet society, bureaucracy, and the literary environment.
• Magic and reality: The novel combines elements of magical realism, where magic and supernatural events intertwine with the real life of 1930s Moscow.