Alexander Burry, Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures, gives a lecture titled “Alternative Secularism: Mikhail Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita as Critique of Official Religious Policy.”
How can an anti-Soviet novel resonate in today’s world, given the virtual obsolescence of the political system satirized in The Master and Margarita? I would argue that Bulgakov’s most lasting contribution in this novel may be his idiosyncratic presentation of religious figures, texts, and ideas. Scholars following this approach tend to privilege one particular religion, whether it be Judaism, Orthodox or heretical Christianity, or Gnosticism, as the key to understanding the author’s eclectic portraits of the Devil and other supernatural characters. But given the opening chapter’s critique of Soviet “Official Atheism,” the wide range of religious viewpoints also undermines the idea of coercive secularism. I position Bulgakov’s diverse, coexisting series of religious approaches in The Master and Margarita within the discourse of secularism (which had reached Russia later than Western Europe) as an alternative to the Soviet approach, and one that may have some relevance for contemporary society as well.
Inaugural lectures celebrate Arts and Humanities faculty who have been promoted to the rank of professor. All lectures are held in the Faculty Club Grand Lounge from 4-6 p.m. and are preceded by a reception and followed by Q&A and discussion. All lectures are free and open to the public.
The Arts and Humanities Inaugural Lecture Series is sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences.
