In front of me 327 pages of the manuscript [ Master and…
![“In front of me 327 pages of the manuscript [ Master and Margarita ] (about 22 chapters). The most important remains - editing, and it's going to be hard. I will have to pay close attention to details. Maybe even re-write some things... 'What's its future?' you ask? I don't know. Possibly, you will…” quote by Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/ce8/mikhail-bulgakov-1389_attention-to-detail_in-front-of-me-327-pages-of-the-manuscri_974190.jpg)
““In front of me 327 pages of the manuscript [ Master and Margarita ] (about 22 chapters). The most important remains - editing, and it's going to be hard. I will have to pay close attention to details. Maybe even re-write some things... 'What's its future?' you ask? I don't know. Possibly, you will store the manuscript in one of the drawers, next to my 'killed' plays, and occasionally it will be in your thoughts. Then again, you don't know the future. My own judgement of the book is already made and I think it truly deserves being hidden away in the darkness of some chest. [Bulgakov from Moscow to his wife on June 15 1938]””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The author expresses uncertainty about his manuscript’s fate, emphasizing the difficulty of editing and the possibility it may remain unseen.
In simple terms: Bulgakov worries about his work’s future and the effort needed to polish it.
Key Takeaway
Accept the unknown and focus on diligent editing.
Themes
uncertainty
creativity
literary process
Mood
reflective
melancholic
determined
Type
literary
personal
philosophical
When to use this quote
- manuscript revision
- publishing decisions
- archival storage
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
editing
authorial doubt
legacy
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance perfectionism with the need to share your work?
- What role does uncertainty play in creative decisions?
A Different Perspective
Even with careful editing, external factors may still determine a work’s destiny.