There are many ways for a story to lose its original essence. Translations and adaptations are two common ways for a story to change, not necessarily in a good way.
In the case of The Master and Margarita, the Mikhail Bulgakov classic, various translations and multiple film adaptations have changed the shape of the novel a few times. I read the most recent translation of The Master and Margarita over the summer, and fell in love with it. This semester, after attending an English major advising appointment, I found an old copy of the book on a case in a spare room on the English floor of the Cathedral with a sign offering free books. There it was!
I love books, and I love free things, so free books are especially welcome.
Only upon closer investigation once I made it back to my room did I realize this was a 1967 translation that differed pretty significantly from the version I'd just read.
Because I'm currently lacking the energy to explain how difficult the plot of The Master and Margarita would be to adapt to a film (I am zapped of needed energy by what seems to be a nasty hollow aching in my chest, in conjunction to a burning pain in my throat that my mother insists is the swine flu), I am going to let this funny 70s narrator describe the difficulties as he introduces a 1972 film version of the novel.
I would recommend only watching until his introduction ends. The opening sequence is almost as painful as my symptoms. (Har Har Har)
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I've always found the differences between original pieces and the film adaptations interesting to compare. I think what would really be interesting with this idea would be to compare the various adaptations that you've read. Another thing you could consider would be why there are such differences between the adaptations.
ReplyDeleteLoved the pompous talking head -- best part was when he explained how difficult it would be to film a "high-living" cat. I'm still reading M and M. Very interesting that the earlier translation you picked up differs so much from the current one but I guess it's not surprising. Translators are human and the products of their era, world view, and so on.
ReplyDeleteI think the point you've posed about translations is an interesting one to ponder. I always wonder how people can read Shakespeare in another language and get the same feeling out of it as the English version. I realize that they can't. Translations are always going to be watered down versions of the real thing. As Sharon said above, they're also products of world views and happenings of their era. It would be nice to have the ability to read every piece of literature in every language, but since we can't I guess the best approach is to read and compare multiple translated copies. Even if your not getting the story in its most pure form, you are given insight to multiple thoughts on the same topic. If you have a lot of time to read this seems like something worthwhile.
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