Three Stories and Polyphonic Structure——The Master and Margarita in a Polyphonic Perspective

Abstract

Adopting the characteristics of polyphonic novels proposed by Mikhail Bakhtin in his Problems of Dostoevsky's Poetics, this paper analyzes the polyphonic structure in the three stories and the interweaving of multiple characters’ perspectives to discuss the author's critique of human cowardice. Mikhail Bulgakov created a rich cast of characters and used dialogues and debates to show differences and contradictions, thus demonstrating the carnivalesque nature of the text. With an attempt to provide his answer through the novel, he hoped that people could get rid of limitations and pursue truth and freedom.