NGHỆ NHÂN VÀ MARGARITA (M. BULGAKOV): TỰ SỰ NHƯ MỘT PHƯƠNG THỨC BIỂU HIỆN VÀ CHỮA LÀNH CHẤN THƯƠNG

Abstract

Through the relationship between narrative and trauma, this paper examines the novel ‘The Master and Margarita’ by Mikhail Bulgakov both as the author’s artistic process to acknowledge and heal from trauma and also as a highly descriptive literary account that faithfully depicts the trauma of humanity. With this, the paper seeks to clarify the use of narrative to express and identify trauma, thereby assisting post-traumatic mental growth. Under the lens of trauma theory, the novel’s world of symbolism is decoded with a fresh perspective, elucidating the ideology behind Bulgakov’s writing. This enables readers to understand Bulgakov's concept of personal trauma as an identity crisis and the importance of the identity recovery process. At the same time, Bulgakov described the healing process of forgiveness, letting go to acceptance, as a development of the traumatic self into the true self.