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Let me have a look.’ Woland stretched out his hand palm…

“Let me have a look.’ Woland stretched out his hand palm uppermost. ‘Unfortunately I cannot show it to you,’ replied the master, ‘because I burned it in my stove.’ ‘I’m sorry but I don’t believe you,’ said Woland. ‘You can’t have done. Manuscripts don’t burn.” quote by Mikhail Bulgakov
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““Let me have a look.’ Woland stretched out his hand palm uppermost. ‘Unfortunately I cannot show it to you,’ replied the master, ‘because I burned it in my stove.’ ‘I’m sorry but I don’t believe you,’ said Woland. ‘You can’t have done. Manuscripts don’t burn.””

Mikhail Bulgakov

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A character claims something impossible, testing belief and skepticism.

In simple terms: A claim challenges belief.

Key Takeaway

Question claims and seek evidence.

Themes

skepticism belief truth magic literature

Mood

curious skeptical thoughtful

Type

philosophical literary

When to use this quote

  • debate
  • critical thinking
  • literary analysis
  • teaching
  • dialogue

Key Concepts

metaphor illusion faith authority

Questions to Reflect On

  • What evidence would convince you?
  • How do you handle contradictory statements?
A Different Perspective

The claim may be a metaphor, not literal truth.

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