TED-Ed: Alex Gendler: Why should you read "The Master and Margarita"?

The video explores Mikhail Bulgakov's novel 'The Master and Margarita,' highlighting its surreal plot, key characters, and the historical context of the USSR during the Stalinist period. It discusses the challenges Bulgakov faced with censorship and the novel's eventual publication. The narrative intertwines political satire, historical fiction, and occult mysticism, reflecting on art, love, and redemption. Despite its dark humor, the novel remains a testament to artistic perseverance, encapsulated in the phrase 'manuscripts don't burn.'

What is the central plot of 'The Master and Margarita'?

• A love story set in Paris

• A detective novel in New York

• A magic show staged by the devil in Moscow

• A historical drama in ancient Rome

How does Woland create chaos in Moscow?

• By spreading rumors

• By starting a war

• By manipulating the bureaucratic system

• By organizing a political rally

What challenges did Bulgakov face in publishing his novel?

• Competition from other authors

• Strict censorship under the Stalinist regime

• Lack of interest from readers

• Financial difficulties

Who is the true protagonist of 'The Master and Margarita'?

• Woland

• Pontius Pilate

• The Master

• Margarita

What is a key theme explored in 'The Master and Margarita'?

• Art, love, and redemption

• The rise of empires

• The power of technology

• The importance of wealth