What happens when we play with life for the sake of recognition and profit? Is man truly in control of his own fate? Fatal Eggs by Bulgakov provides clear answers to these questions.
In the novel, Bulgakov also paints a portrait of the human condition by contrasting the mob and the creatures in their propensity for destruction. Observe how locusts wipe out farm lands or how ants consume everything in their paths, and contrast that to how similar humans consume and exhaust all the resources in their environment. If we do not think and act according to reason, what separates us from reptiles? We’ll trample everything in our path as our emotions drive us.
The themes of the novel are similar to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein in how we must consider the consequences of scientific discoveries and do everything possible to avoid their misuse. Another example is 3 Body Problem (tv series) on Netflix which shows how ridiculous nanofiber technology can be used to save and to take people’s lives.
In real life, Oppenheimer’s atomic bomb and Thomas Midgley Jr’s leaded gasoline and CFCs have severely impacted the environment and took millions of lives. I know it’s easy to blame them but the novel also explores how scientists can be powerless over the use of their discovery and invention.
Overall, I’ve enjoyed reading this short but persuasive novel with minimal dull moments. It also has the satirical humor as typical of Bulgakov’s writings.
