Dog Hippo

On the sale of the soul
It is known that Bulgakov often went to the Great to hear "Faust." This opera has always raised his spirits. Especially he was close image of Faust. But once Bulgakov returned from the theater dark, in a state of severe depression. This was associated with a product over which the writer has recently started to work - play "Batum". I agree to write a play about Stalin Bulgakov found himself in the image of Faust, sold his soul to the devil.



Missing character
In 1937, the anniversary of the death of Alexander Pushkin, several authors have presented a play devoted to the poet. Among them was a play, MA Bulgakov's "Alexander Pushkin", which is different from the works of other authors absence of one character. Bulgakov believed that the appearance of the actor on stage is vulgar and tasteless. Missing character himself was Alexander.
Treasure Mikhail Bulgakov
As you know, in the novel "The White Guard" Bulgakov quite accurately described the house in which he lived in Kiev. And the owners of this house for one item descriptions very hard to dislike a writer since she brought direct damage to the structure. The fact that the home side broke the walls, trying to find the treasure, described in the novel, and, of course, they found nothing.

History Voland
Woland Bulgakov got its name from Goethe's Mephistopheles. In the poem "Faust" it sounds only once, when the evil spirit Mephistopheles asks parted and let him pass, "Nobleman Woland is coming!" In the old German literature hell called another name - Faland. It occurs in "Master and Margarita", when employees Variety can not remember the name of the magician: "... Maybe Faland?»
In the first edition of the works include a detailed description (15 manuscript pages) will Woland when he first appears in the guise of "stranger." This description is now almost completely lost. In addition, in the early edition of Woland's name was Astaroth (one of the highest ranking demons of hell, according to the Western demonology). Bulgakov later replaced it, probably because the image can not be identical with Satan.



"Heart of a Dog" and the Russian Revolution
Traditionally, the novel "Heart of a Dog" is interpreted in only one political way: Balls - an allegory of the lumpenproletariat, unexpectedly received a lot of rights and freedoms, but quickly discovered while selfishness and desire to kill their own kind. But there is another interpretation, as if this story was a political satire on the state leadership mid-1920s. In particular, that the ball-Chugunkin - a Stalin (both the "iron" the second name), prof. Transfiguration - the Lenin (to transform the country), his assistant Dr. Bormental, constant conflict with ball - it Trotsky (Bronstein), Shvonder - Stone, assistant Zina - Zinoviev, Daria - Dzerzhinsky, and so on. D.

Prototype Behemoth
In the famous assistant Voland there was a real prototype, only in his life he was not a cat and dog - black dog Bulgakov named Behemoth. This dog was very intelligent. Once, when Bulgakov was celebrating with his wife, New Year, after the fight chimes his dog barked 12 times, although it did not teach this one.



Ivan Vasilievich: Back to the Future
In 1934 Mikhail Bulgakov wrote the play-comedy "Ivan Vasilievich" how Moscow inventor Nikolai Timofeev creates a time machine and brings the modern world (ie, 1934) Ivan the Terrible. In turn, the past fall counterpart Ivan the Terrible superintendent Bunsha-Koretsky and rogue George Miloslavsky. Bulgakov's contemporaries tortured author requests for changes or modifications. Everyone was afraid of the obvious similarities between the personalities of Ivan the Terrible and Josef Stalin.
Triumphant success came to "Ivan Vasilievich" in 1973, when to play a hand in this brilliant master of cinema Leonid Gaidai. The director kept Bulgakov line almost completely, but he still had to adapt parts 30s to the realities of the '70s. For example, a gramophone, mentioned in the play, was changed into a tape recorder, worsted coat - on the suede jacket, but in the time machine used transistors. In the scene Yakin meeting with Ivan the Terrible mentioned the names popular in the 70s movie stars. In the play, it is mentioned that Bunsha was the son of the prince, but he Bunsha refutes this, claiming that in fact his biological father - the driver Pantelei; in the film, this episode is omitted, as an obvious anachronism. At the same time, Zina in the film, as in the play, complains that she "took away the gloves in a cafe," though in the 70s women did not wear gloves in the summer (at least in the USSR).
Other changes are not directly related to the time difference. Timofeev name was changed: in the play he Nicholas, and in the film - Alexander. This was done in order to combine all three films Gaidai ("Operation" Y "and other adventures Shurik", "Caucasian captive" and "Ivan Vasilievich") one hero: a former student and now an engineer Shurik.
By the way, the American film audiences too familiar, but under the modified title "Ivan Vasilievich: Back to the Future» («Ivan Vasilievich: Back to the Future» and «Ivan the Terrible: Back to the Future»).

Notable quotes Bulgakov
Do not ask for anything! Do nothing, and in particular those who are stronger than you. Themselves and offer themselves will all!
He who loves must share the fate of the one he loves.
Happiness as health, when it is available, you do not notice it.
Evil lurks in men who avoid wine, games, society, charming women, table talk. These people are sick or sore, or secretly hate others.
Second freshness - that's what nonsense! Freshness is only one - the first, it is also the last. And if sturgeon second freshness, it means that it is rotten!
Manages everywhere one who is in a hurry.
Only through suffering comes true ... That's right, do not worry! But for the knowledge of the truth do not pay no money, no soldering is not allowed. Sad but true.
Maybe money hinder be nice. Here, for example, no one has any money, and everything nice.
On crime does not go never against anyone it may be directed. Before they reach old age with clean hands.
In the world there are only two forces: Dollars and literature.
Enough to chase a man under fire, and he turns into a wolf wise; replaced by a very weak and in really difficult cases unnecessary mind grows wise animal instinct.
Evil people do in the world, there are only people unhappy.
The writer will always be in opposition to the policy until the policy itself will be in opposition to the culture.