Margarita Talk: Session 2

Question for the second section of readings from cadenning:

Ivan Nikolayevich Ponyryov (pen name, Bezdomny)is a young poet who appears throughout the readings rather frequently and timely. We learn from the notes that his pen name, Bezdomny, means homeless in Russian. First of all, what do you think the translation of his pen name to homeless symbolizes in the context of the novel? And also, what does the story of Pilate have to do with Ivan? More specifically, how can you relate the place (literally and figuratively) Ivan is at the end of the readings to the larger story of Pilate and/or Jesus?

Margarita Talk: Session 1

This week's discussion prompt comes from the one and only rolliefngr777:

Bulgakov's The Master and Margarita is well known for its use of symbolism and historic reference. As an American reading a translated Russian novel, do you feel that Bulgakov's symbolic and historic references were easy to identify/understand? What examples of symbolism and historical reference did you deem to be the most significant or interesting?

BONUS QUESTION: What are your initial thoughts and first impressions of the novel thus far?

Reading Schedule

Here is the tentative reading schedule for The Master and Margarita. Each reading assignment will be due on a Wednesday. The responsibility for posting discussion questions/prompts will rotate among book club members. Discussion prompts should be posted the day after each reading assignment is due. This will give us 7 days to discuss each assignment before moving on to discuss the next part of the book.


CHAPTERS______________ DUE DATE

1 - 4____________________ 4/22
5 - 9____________________ 4/29
10 - 15__________________ 5/6
16 - 18__________________ 5/13
19 - 23__________________ 5/20
24 - 26__________________ 5/27
27 - Ep._________________ 6/3

The Chosen One

Well, we had a lot of great books to choose from and the vote tally was very close. Here are the results:

* The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov wins with 7 votes


Three books tied for second with 6 votes each:

* Death with Interruptions by Jose Saramago

* Faust by Goethe

* Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy

The Day of Reckoning

Okay boys and girls, it's time to decide which of our wonderful contestants will be selected as our next book. Please post a comment containing a list of the three books that you would most like to read next. Put a number in front of each book to indicate your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice. May the best book win!

The Past, Present, and Future

Okay, we are officially finished our first book. I was fairly pleased with the result and I hope that you were as well. I would like to spend a little time reflecting on the successes and short-comings of our BNW experience. Then, we will start scheming on our next literary exploit.

In your comments, I would like you to respond to the following:

(1) What did you like about the format of the book club so far? (Responses to this can address things like length of reading assignments, frequency of discussion questions, structure of discussion questions, etc.)

(2) Are there any structural or procedural suggestions that you have?

(3) List two books that you are interested in reading next.


After everyone has posted, I will create a poll on the website so that everyone can vote on the next book.

Brave New World: Final Discussion

Here are a few questions that I would be interested in discussing. Feel free to make your own observation or remark.


1) What is Huxley saying about religion and society?

or

2) What is Huxley saying about human nature?

or

3) Why does the Savage feel the need to be self-flagellating?