Adam Thirlwell, a novelist and critic known for his adventurous explorations of fiction, joins to dissect the dark themes of James Hogg's 'The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner' and Mikhail Bulgakov's 'The Master and Margarita.' They dive into the nuances of fanaticism, exploring how both authors represent pacts with the devil, and discuss the characters' moral dilemmas linked to antinomianism. Thirlwell sheds light on how these fantastical narratives not only reflect personal identity but also comment on the socio-political landscapes of their times.
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insights INSIGHT
Complex Narrative Structure
James Hogg's novel uses a complex narrative to present a historical and metaphysical horror story.
The novel includes an editor's commentary, a sinner's memoir, and a ghoulish postscript, blending fact with fiction.
insights INSIGHT
Fanaticism in Calvinist Theology
The novel explores Calvinist theology emphasizing predestination and justification by faith alone.
This belief leads to dangerous fanaticism, where "justified sinners" feel entitled to commit any sin.
insights INSIGHT
Devil as Trickster Double
Gilmartin, the devil figure, embodies a trickster who can imitate anyone, blurring reality and hallucination.
This figure challenges the limits of personal identity and the role of the writer's imagination.
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The private memoirs and confessions of a justified sinner
James Hogg
The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner is a novel that delves into the complexities of religious fanaticism and psychological turmoil. It follows Robert Wringhim, a staunch Calvinist who, under the influence of the enigmatic Gil-Martin, commits atrocities believing he is among the elect. The novel is celebrated for its exploration of themes such as predestination and the blurring of reality and delusion. Initially met with critical neglect, it has since become a highly regarded work in Scottish literature.
The Master and Margarita
Mikhail Bulgakov
The novel intertwines several narratives, including the story of Pontius Pilate and Jesus Christ, and the adventures of the devil Woland and his entourage in Moscow. The Master, a writer who has been driven to insanity by the rejection of his novel about Pontius Pilate, and his mistress Margarita, who remains loyal and determined to save him, are central characters. Margarita's journey involves becoming a witch and hosting Woland's midnight ball, where she uses her newfound powers for altruistic ends. The book is a critique of Soviet society, exposing corruption, moral decay, and the repression of artists and dissidents. It blends elements of satire, fantasy, and philosophical inquiry, reflecting Bulgakov's personal experiences with censorship and societal pressures.
James Hogg’s ghoulish metaphysical crime novel 'The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner' (1824) was presented as a found documented dating from the 17th century, describing in different voices the path to devilry of an antinomian Calvinist, Robert Wringhim. Mikhail Bulgakov’s 'The Master and Margarita', written between 1928 and 1940, also hinges around a pact with Satan (Woland), who arrives in Moscow to create mayhem among its literary community and helps reunite an outcast writer, the Master, with his lover, Margarita.
In this extended extra from ‘Fiction and the Fantastic’, Marina Warner and Adam Thirlwell look at the ways in which these two ferocious works of comic horror tackle the challenge of representing fanaticism, be it Calvinism or Bolshevism, and consider why both writers used the fantastical to test reality.
‘Fiction and the Fantastic’ is part of the LRB's Close Readings podcast.
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