Life and work of Bulgakov

Bulgakov Mikhail Afanasyevich was born in 1891, on May 3 (15). He was born in Kiev. Parents of the future writer - Varvara Mihajlovna (maiden name Pokrovskaya), the teacher, after - the inspector on courses for women. Father - also a teacher, worked at the Kiev Theological Academy. Michael became the eldest son in a large family, in which cultural traditions were very strong. Creativity Bulgakov, as well as his biography, we describe in this article.

Study in a gymnasium, passion for theater, literature, marriage

His training was held first in the Kiev Gymnasium. The future writer finished it with only two distinct marks - according to God's law and geography. At this time, he is fond of theater (he knew, for example, "Aida" and "Faust" by heart), reads "with ecstasy" of Saltykov-Shchedrin and Gogol, and also the first works that mark the work of Bulgakov.

In 1907 his father died. In 1913, Mikhail Afanasyevich married a TN. Lappe.

Working as a doctor

The period from 1916 to 1917 - the end of Kiev University, in which he studied at the Medical Faculty. Released from the call for illness, the author of interest to us goes to the Zemstvo hospital on purpose. This institution was located in the village of Nikolskoe (Smolensk province). And after a while he goes to Vyazma. "Notes of a young doctor" were written on the basis of impressions received during this period.

Medical practice in Kiev

In 1918, Bulgakov returns to Kiev, where he makes attempts to practice medicine (private - as a free-lance venereologist). At this time, according to the writer himself, as a doctor, he was consecutively called to the service by all the authorities that occupied the city. However, Bulgakov succeeded in evading both the Red Army and the Petlyuraites who "mobilized" him.

Service in the army, professional occupation of literature

In 1919-1920 the following events took place in the life of the writer. Mikhail Afanasievich was "mobilized" by Denikin and sent to the North Caucasus with an echelon. Here he began to study literature professionally: at that time the first stories appeared in the newspapers of Vladikavkaz and Grozny, which reflected sympathy for the White movement, perception of the "historic misfortune" of Nicholas II's abdication, and so on. He participates as a doctor in battles. The Denikinites, who were retreating under the onslaught of the Red Army, threw the typhus patient Bulgakov to the mercy of fate, which was the basis for the disappointment in these "comrades in arms". Mikhail Afanasevich begins with the arrival of the Reds to work in the sub-department of arts. His work consisted of reports on Chekhov and Pushkin, writing plays for the local theater, one of which, under the title "Paris Commune", he even sent to Moscow, hoping for success in the competition announced in this city.

Moving to Moscow

In 1921 Mikhail Afanasievich came to Moscow, where he entered the post of secretary to the literary department under the People's Commissariat for Education. In search of money with the beginning of NEP, he often changes his place of service: he works as an editor of the chronicle in a private newspaper, entertainer, engineer, etc. At the same time he settles on Sadovaya, in the communal apartment of a house that once belonged to a tobacco factory owner. Many times the customs of the apartment number 50 will arise in various works that make up Bulgakov's work.

In 1922, Mikhail Afanasyevich is actively published in the press - in such magazines as "Rupor", "Rabochiy", "Red Journal for All", "Railwayman", "Krasnaya Niva" and others.

Cooperation in "Goody", new works and a new marriage

The period from 1922 to 1926 - cooperation with a newspaper called "Gudok", and also published "On the eve" in the Berlin Russian newspaper, whose editor - A. N. Tolstoy, at that time still not returned from emigration.

The life and work of Bulgakov in 1923-1924 will be represented by the following two main events. In 1923 a novel "Notes on Cuffs" appears. The following year, Mikhail Afanasyevich meets with L. Belozerskaya, who returned from exile to Paris, marries her.

In 1925, Bulgakov's work continues. Appears "The Devil" - the first compilation, consisting of satirical stories. At the same time, there is also a collection of stories called "Fatal eggs". This year is also marked by the creation of a manuscript of the "Dog Heart" - a work that was published only 60 years later.

The search for Bulgakov

In May 1926, Bulgakov was searched by OGPU officers, seized the above manuscript, as well as diaries. The writer, repeatedly asking to return this material to him and not receiving any response to these requests, declares that he will soon be compelled to leave the All-Russian Writers' Union demonstratively. After this paper, including the manuscript of the "Dog Heart", returned to Bulgakov.

Works of 1925-1928

In 1925-1926 the cycle "Stories" comes out, as well as a collection of short stories called "Notes of a Young Doctor".

The following events are related to the period from 1925 to 1927: The novel "The White Guard" was created. In his motives in 1926 was written and staged the play "Days of Turbins", the premiere of which was held at the Moscow Art Theater at the same time.

From 1926 to 1928 Mikhail Bulgakov, whose life and work are represented in our article, wrote a play called "Running", only in 1957 saw the viewer.

In 1926 the play "Zoykina apartment" was also created, which was staged at the Vakhtangov Theater. Together with "Days of Turbins" she was soon removed because of the pressure of tendentious criticism.

In 1928 - another work for the theater ("Crimson Island"). It was delivered by the Chamber Theater in the same year, but this time the play was banned almost immediately.

Evaluation of Bulgakov's literary criticism

Literary criticism of the late 1920s assessed the work of Mikhail Bulgakov sharply negative. His works were not printed, they were not played on stage. For example, we know of Stalin's negative reviews of the play "Running," which, from his point of view, is an "anti-Soviet phenomenon." "Waste paper" called the leader of the "Crimson Island". The result of the persecution - Bulgakov, whose biography and work was often marked by the negative consequences of contact with the Soviet government, remains without work and, accordingly, without means, writes the letter to the Government of the USSR and sends it to seven addresses of various authorities. Trying to understand his future destiny, he explains his author's position in the letter , saying that he prefers the Great Revolution to the Great Evolution, that is, the more natural, in his opinion, the gradual course of history. On April 18, Stalin himself telephoned Mikhail Afanasievich's apartment, and as a result of this conversation the writer was promised to provide work to the Moscow Art Theater. The unspoken condition of the agreement was the creation of a war-praising work. Later, in 1939, was written a play called "Batum," which tells of the "young years of the leader." However, neither its content nor the tone of the government's narrative was satisfied.

Work at the Moscow Art Theater

With the beginning of the Moscow Art Theater, Bulgakov's life and work have changed significantly. Mikhail Afanasyevich since the beginning of the 1930s in this theater has been the director-assistant. Refers to this period of his life hobby Shilovskaya Elena Sergeevna (1929), which later became his wife.

In 1931 the play "Adam and Eve" appears. During this, as well as the following year, he writes a dramatization of Tolstoy's work "War and Peace" commissioned by the Bolshoi Drama Theater. However, this performance was not staged.

In 1932 there was a dramatization of Gogol's Dead Souls. Return to the viewer (on the personal order of Comrade Stalin) "Days of the Turbins."

In 1930-1936 a drama was created called "Kabala svjatosh", set in 1943. Preceded by this work on the "Life of Mr. de Moliere," a biographical narrative, in 1932-1933. It was published in 1962.

Another play, "Bliss", was published in 1934 (published only in 1966).

In the years 1934-1935. There is a drama called "The Last Days", staged on stage in 1943. At first, she was conceived in co-authorship with V. V. Veresaev.

Bulgakov refuses to "rework"

The period from 1934 to 1936 was marked by the following events. Appears Bulgakov's play "Ivan Vasilyevich." This work, brought to the general rehearsals in the Theater of Satire, was shot literally on the eve of the premiere. The writer for the period from 1928 to 1936, no one thing was printed, and also no play appeared on the stage of the theater, representing the original work of MA. Bulgakov. Mikhail Afanasyevich stubbornly refuses the "alterations" suggested to him (for example, "perekovat" some white officer from the work "Running", finish the revolutionary choral song "Crimson Island", etc.).

Recent works

In 1936-1937, the "Theatrical Novel" (unfinished work) was created. It was published in 1965.

Bulgakov in 1938 creates a play called "Don Quixote". From the beginning of the 1930s until the end of his life he continued to work on his most famous work, which is now being addressed in the first place, studying Bulgakov's work, Master and Margarita.

Mikhail Afanasievich died in 1940 from a kidney disease in Moscow , which in his family was hereditary (passed on to the writer from his father).

This concludes the life and work of M. Bulgakov - now a recognized classic of Russian literature.