Bulgakov's Novel The Master and Margarita and the Subversion of Socialist Realism

• Main Author: Yurchenko, Anastasia Vladimirovna, 1982-
• Language: en_US
• Published: University of Oregon 2008
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1794/7787

viii, 63 p. A print copy of this title is available from the UO Libraries, under the call number: KNIGHT PG3476.B78 Y87 2008 === Socialist Realism was proclaimed the main method in Soviet literature in 1932. It went through a long process of formation before its main principles were solidified. The main aim of Socialist Realist literature was to portray reality through the lens of the undoubted victory of communism. Thus only writers who followed the requirements of the state were welcome in Soviet literature at that time. Mikhail Bulgakov considered writers' freedom to be more important than the goals of Socialist Realism. This thesis explores how Bulgakov's novel The Master and Margarita subverts the main ideas of Socialist Realism. The second chapter examines the genesis and the main principles of Socialist Realism. The third chapter explores Bulgakov's biography, literary works and views on literature of that time. The fourth chapter analyzes to what extent The Master and Margarita overturns the conventions of Socialist Realism. === Adviser: Jenifer Presto