NEW GOSPELS AND RESISTANCE TO REPRESSION: THE MASTER AND MARGARITA BY M. BULGAKOV, TIME OF MIRACLES BY B. PEKIĆ AND THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JESUS CHRIST BY J. SARAMAGO

Abstract

The study deals with the comparative analysis of The Master and Margarita by M. Bulgakov, Time of Miracles by B. Pekić, and The Gospel According to Jesus Christ by José Saramago in reference to their views on the evangelical model. The novels refer to the evangelical text in two conflicting ways – firstly, they follow the evangelical text since they, too, originate from the historical context of resisting repression, and at the same time they proclaim human existential values. On the other hand, the authors shy away from the evangelical text, reject it or ridicule it, through the use of satire, parody, and irony. The authors, unlike the heroes of their respective novels – express doubts about the text and the promises that it offers, further showing suspicion towards contemporary ideological narratives. Having now become evangelists, the authors in this way write their own heretic gospels of the twentieth century.