Heart of a Dog

A luminary of world science, Professor Philip Philipovich saves a homeless dog, Sharik, from death in order to conduct an experiment to identify the functions of the pituitary gland. Contrary to the expectations of the scientists, it turns out: the pituitary gland does not provide the anticipated rejuvenation, but rather complete humanization. Soon, Sharik’s behavior reveals traits of a donor—a cowardly drunk and a hooligan, Klim Chugunkin. This “new human unit” turns the professor’s apartment upside down, displaying the most vicious sides of human nature.

At the same time, socialist reality readily—indeed eagerly—embraces Poligraf Poligrafovich Sharikov, thereby furthering his degradation and indulging his corrupt nature.

In “The Heart of a Dog,” Mikhail Afanasyevich Bulgakov illustrated two sides through characters: the type that is dying out, represented by an educated elite, and the proletariat that revolts against it. The work is filled with deep irony and satire on new trends widespread in Russia at the beginning of the twentieth century.