Today we will talk about such a famous and very popular Russian writer today as Mikhail Afanasevich Bulgakov. Interesting facts from the author’s life, as well as features of his work and some biographical dates, will become the main topic of this article.
A bit from the biography
The life of the writer was not constancy. Today, Mikhail Bulgakov could look like a beggar, but tomorrow he became a rich man, spending his money thoughtlessly on wonderful companions.
There is an erroneous opinion that Bulgakov chose the path of writing quite late - only by the age of 30. However, this statement is far from the truth. The author began to write very early. It is known about his earliest work, “The Adventures of Svetlana,” which was written at 7 years old. On the other hand, if we talk about writing as a full-fledged career, then, of course, Bulgakov did not come to this immediately. We must not forget that initially the career of Mikhail Afanasevich was associated with medicine. Actually, he did not leave medical practice even after he became a famous writer.
Bulgakov graduated from the Medical University in 1916, after which he went to Smolensk to take the place of Zemstvo doctor. He was accompanied by his wife Tatyana. Based on the recollections of these years, the author wrote a series of short stories “Notes of a young doctor”.
But not as prosaic as it might seem was the path that Bulgakov walked. Interesting facts from the life of the writer, which we will present below, will make sure of this.
Features of creativity
In the 1920s, Bulgakov's work was perceived by critics very negatively. Largely due to the fact that the writer did not support Soviet ideas and did not chant the new regime. For example, the play “Running” was not staged, as critics called it anti-Soviet.
The writer publicly stated that revolution prefers evolution. It is not surprising that the NKVD officers searched the Bulgakov’s house more than once, and the writer himself was persecuted almost all his life.
Selling soul
He showed some interest in all kinds of mystical subjects in the mythology and literature of Bulgakov. Interesting facts from the life of the author include the moment when he was fascinated by the opera Faust. Bulgakov was several times at a performance at the Bolshoi Theater. The author especially liked the image of the main character, Faust, and the motive of selling the soul associated with it.
Soon, Bulgakov was forced to agree to Stalin's proposal - to write a play glorifying him. After that, Mikhail Afanasevich began to compare himself with Faust - he also had to "sell his soul to the devil."
Missing character
Bulgakov was a very peculiar person (interesting facts from life testify to this). For example, in 1937, several writers were supposed to present a number of plays dedicated to the anniversary of the death of A.S. Pushkin. Bulgakov was one of these writers and also presented his play, entitled "Alexander Pushkin." However, what was the surprise of the audience when the main character never appeared on the scene.
Bulgakov considered that it would be tasteless and vulgar to bring an actor dressed up in the costume of a great Russian writer to the stage. Therefore, the author considered the appearance of "Pushkin" unacceptable.
Treasure
The "treasure" of Mikhail Bulgakov is primarily, of course, associated with the novel "The White Guard". The fact is that he described in great detail his Kiev house in the work, making it one of the key locations. In this house heroes hid treasures. Too many readers took this as the truth. Therefore, soon the house was dismantled literally brick by brick. By this time, Bulgakov was no longer its owner, but this fact was extremely negatively perceived by the new owners.
However, despite all efforts, the treasures were never discovered. And from the house there was only the foundation.
Beloved
Strange, but far from everyone knows that the novel “The Master and Margarita” was dedicated to the beloved author Nyurenberg Elena Sergeevna. This woman was Bulgakov's last lover. At the time of the meeting, both already had families, so the relationship brought not only happiness, but also suffering.
Bulgakov began writing the novel in 1929, and a few years before that he was presented with the book “Venediktov, or Memorable Events of My Life” by A. Chayanov. The main characters of this book were the devil and a student with the surname Bulgakov, who is forced to fight with the prince of darkness for his beloved soul. The story ended with a union of lovers. It is believed that this arbitrariness was the impetus for writing the "Masters and Margarita."
Woland
“The Master and Margarita” is the most famous work of all that Bulgakov wrote. Biography, interesting facts and features of creativity are therefore very often associated with this creation. In this regard, one cannot ignore the figure of Woland. Bulgakov borrowed for his Mephistopheles the name from Goethe's poem Faust. So the devil himself called himself when he asked for evil spirits to give him the way.
The first edition of The Masters and Margarita contains a detailed description of Woland, which took 15 pages. However, Bulgakov removed this enumeration of all signs from the publication, and today this part of the novel is considered almost lost.
In addition, in some drafts, along with Woland, the name Astaroth is found. However, later Bulgakov refused this name, perhaps because Astaroth is called a powerful demon, but not the ruler of hell.
"Dog" Bulgakov
The well-known story “Dog’s Heart” has such a widespread interpretation: Sharikov is a typical representative of the lumpen proletariat, who, having gained power, begins to destroy his own kind. However, a lesser known interpretation exists.
So, Sharikov (by the second surname Chugunkin) is Stalin, since both have an “iron” surname. Professor Preobrazhensky - Lenin, who transformed the whole country (the discovery of the professor is compared with a change in the political system). Dr. Bormental - Trotsky, as he constantly conflicts with Sharikov-Stalin. Shvonder is Kamenev, and Zina is Zinoviev, etc.
Hippo cat
This is another wonderful character that Bulgakov came up with. Biography (including interesting facts) suggests that the Behemoth had a real prototype.
However, he was not a cat, but Bulgakov's beloved black dog named Behemoth. The animal was distinguished by its mind, and the author was attached to it.
"Ivan Vasilievich changes his profession"
In 1934, Mikhail Bulgakov wrote the widely known play Ivan Vasilievich. When the work was only written, many were afraid that it would not be staged due to the strong similarities between Ivan the Terrible and Stalin.
That turned out to be true. The audience saw the play only in 1973, when Leonid Gaidai took up the film adaptation . The director tried to keep the original plot as much as possible, but the realities of the 30s of the 20th century had to be changed to the 70s. However, the film was a dizzying success.
Bulgakov House
Or “Bulgakov House” is a famous museum-theater in Moscow, located on Bolshaya Sadovaya, in house number 10. Here, from 1921 to 1924, the writer lived.
The museum presents an exposition dedicated to the life and work of Bulgakov, which is permanent. In addition, the museum hosts various exhibitions dedicated to the writer. Often they even occupy the space outside the apartment - a platform on the stairs, summer terrace, courtyard.