Mikhail Bulgakov (1891-1940)

1. Mikhail Bulgakov

(1891-1940)

2.

• Mikhail Bulgakov was born in Kiev in 1891. His father was a professor
at the Kiev Theological Academy; his grandfather was a scholar of the
famous Russian playwright, Gogol.

3.

Friendship, respect, and mutual love reigned in Bulgakov's large family and happy home. From childhood
Bulgakov was drawn to theater. At home, he wrote comedies, which his brothers and sisters acted out; in high
school, theater was his favorite subject. In 1909, he enrolled in Medical School of Kiev University. Bulgakov had
married three times: with Tatiana Nikolaevna Lappa (1913), Liubov Evgenevna Belozerskaia (1924) and Elena
Sergeevna (1932).

4.

• In 1918 Bulgakov returned to Kiev and began to practice medicine.
Kiev was at that time the focal point of an intense struggle between
German troops, the Ukrainian Nationalist Army, Red troops, and the
Russian Volunteer Army. Bulgakov enlisted as a field doctor in a
Volunteer Army regiment and went to the Caucasus. Toward the end
of 1919, he resigned from military service and started to work as a
journalist and playwright. After a few of his early plays were staged in
local theaters, Bulgakov moved to Moscow.

5.

From 1924 to 1926 wrote "The Fatal Eggs" and "Heart of a Dog," two short novels that contain bitter satire and elements of
science fiction. Both are concerned with the fate of a scientist and the misuse of his discovery. The most significant features
of Bulgakov's satire, such as a skillful blending of fantastic and realistic elements, grotesque situations, and a concern with
important ethical issues, had already taken shape; these features were developed further in Bulgakov's last novel The Master
and Margarita. Years of such requests resulted in failure. In poor health, Bulgakov devoted his last years to what he called
his "sunset" novel--The Master and Margarita

6.

The Master and Margarita (written 1928-40) takes place on three levels, each of which provides a
commentary on the others. While working on Master and Margarita in 1937-1939, Bulgakov was
sometimes optimistic and believed in the possibility of the publication, but at other times he lost his
optimism and did not dream of ever seeing it in print.

7.

• In the sixties, after Stalin's death, many of the literary works previously banned in
the USSR were published. Master and Margarita was first published in censored
form in 1967 in number 11 of Moscow magazine. The novel's readers experienced a
sharp feeling of loss, which stemed from the conclusion of the novel: "You will be
reading these pages when I will no longer be among you; you will look for me, but
you will not find me". Master and Margarita was again republished in a fuller
form in 1973; yet it took until 1989 before Bulgakov's work could be published in
Russia in its original form.

8.

Bulgakov has an astonishing talent for transforming harsh reality into an almost jovial anecdote.
His works are full of genuine humor and wit along with satire and bitter irony.

9.

• Mikhail Bulgakov died in Moscow on March 10, 1940.