The Master and Margarita Q&A
- 1
Why isn’t Master welcomed into Heaven?
The novel repeatedly asserts that cowardice is the greatest sin, and although Master is deemed to have earned peace for himself, his cowardice in shirking away from the conflict that results as a consequence of his novel deems him to be unsuitable for heaven.
- 2
How is Pontius Pilate’s portrayal changed by the end of the novel?
In the initial sections of the novel, the procurator is depicted as a cruel and villainous individual who sentences Jesus to death. However, by the end of the novel, Pontius is welcomed into heaven by Jesus. It is revealed that he reluctantly orders the execution because he is burdened by bureaucratic practices and the weight of fate that drives Jesus to his crucifixion.
- 3
Why does Woland reward Margarita?
Margarita serves Woland as a hostess at his ball and does not ask anything for herself when she is asked to seek a reward, instead, she chooses to free a woman from the suffering of hell. Woland recognizes her selflessness and chooses to reward her with another wish.
