Analysis of Arms and the Man by George Bernard Shaw

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Summary of George Bernard Shaw’s "Arms and the Man":

T(caps)he play begins with a memorable night in Bulgaria with Raina Petkoff, Catherine Petkolf, and Raina‟s househelp, Louka. They are discussing the news of Bulgarian soldiers‟ victory at the war front in Slivnitza. The victory is led by Raina‟s fiancé, Sergeant Sergius Saranoff. Raina reacts appreciatively, promising a gratifying welcome back home for her fiancé when the war ends. While she celebrates the hero in god-like image, sporadic gunshots interrupt their discussion, puncturing the quiet Bulgarian night. A fleeing Swiss soldier, Captain Bluntschli, known as Chocolate Cream Soldier, escapes from the battlefield into Bulgaria. He climbs across the water trough into Raina‟s bedroom chamber through the shutters. Louka announces the arrival of a search party that had been after the mercenary soldier fighting on the side of the Serbs. She protects the professional fighter from being seen by the search party. The soldier‟s revolver frightens her, but the man confesses that he stuffs his gun‟s cartridge with chocolate cream and not ammunition. "I‟ve no ammunition. What use are cartridges in battle? I always carry chocolate instead; and I finished the last cake of that hours ago,” Raina marvels at the revelation; but the soldier explains further that such acts reveal the professional worth of an experienced soldier, adding, “that young ones carry pistols and cartridges, the old ones grub” (p. 21).

The soldier‟s idea or art of war as well as his high social class attracts Raina - “my rank is the highest known in the whole of Switzerland.” She is also from the Petkoff‟s, a family of the upper class in Bulgaria. Thus, Raina falls in love with the soldier, who now feels safe and requests that Raina tell her mother about his secret presence for days in the family. He leaves disguised in the raincoat of Raina‟s father, Major Petkoff. This is revealed as the reason for the unprofessional display of Sergeant Sergius Saranoff. After the war, he becomes frustrated, disillusioned, and resigns from the army on the advice of Captain Bluntschli. At last, Louka betrays Raina to Sergius Saranoff, falls in love with the latter while Raina falls in love with the Swiss soldier. Unable to cope with the realistic lifestyle of Raina, Sergius promises to marry Louka. He assures… “if these hands ever touch you again, they shall touch my affianced bride” (p.76).

Themes:

There are some interesting themes in George Bernard Shaw‟s "Arms and the Man". These are:

Patriotism:

The soldiers are driven to the war by patriotism, the allegiance to their nations. This is why Sergeant Sergius Saranoff and Major Petkoff fight for Bulgaria while the Swiss professional soldier, Captain Bluntschli, is devoted to Switzerland. Even when he later escapes into the enemy country, he is still proud of his patriotism for his home country, Switzerland. Captain Bluntschli exclaims to Raina, “My rank is the highest known in the whole of Switzerland”. Catherine also demonstrates a high sense of patriotism while reacting to the rumoured victory of Bulgarians in the field of battle, particularly the cavalry charge by Sergeant Sergius Saranoff. She soliloquises, “The campaign has improved you. Everybody here is mad about you. We were all mad with enthusiasm about your Cavalry charge” (P. 10).

Co-operation:

Naturally, war is often characterized by hostilities as seen in the confrontation that involves the Bulgarians and Serbs and their Swiss and Russian allies. But, in this case, war promotes cooperation. Ironically, at the end of the war at Slivnitza, the warring factions meet, honoring a gentlemanly agreement to exchange their prisoners of war at Parrot. Also, Captain Bluntschli becomes friendly with Sergius Saranoff and advises the latter to quit soldering. The Swiss soldier is even warmly welcomed as a friend by Major Petkoff and Sergius: “My dear Captain Bluntschli,” and “Welcome our friend, the enemy.”

The English Aristocratic Class:

The play reflects the nature of the English aristocratic social class. This is obvious in the behaviors of Nicholas who had spent ten years as a servant, working for the Petkoffs (who symbolize the English aristocratic family). In spite of that, Nicholas intends to join the aristocratic class by hoping to start a business (shop) in Sofia. Even those who are already members of the upper class are ready to do anything to maintain their position; hence, Raina prefers Captain Bluntschli to Sergeant Sergius Saranoff. This implies a movement by marriage from one aristocratic class to another, but in different countries (Bulgaria to Switzerland).

Love, Courtship, and Marriage:

The playwright reveals this theme gradually, juxtaposing war and love as reflective possibilities. Both exist in the conflictive progression of human society but with one trying to outdo the other. The complexity of war cannot hinder love from blossoming where man and woman are present. We see how Captain Bluntschli and Raina are caught in the web of love that connects the soldier and a Major‟s daughter in the time of war. The unpredictable circumstance, too, explains overriding mysteries and possibilities of love in any situation. The heroism and confused existence of Sergeant Segius Saranoff find therapy in Louka, Raina‟s househelp.

War:

The play discusses the theme of war. The Bulgarians are at war with the Serbs and the Austrians. They invite the Russian war general, Colonel Cossack. With the union of the various war mercenaries, the war goes on. This is because the war experience of the foreign soldiers strengthens that of the home soldiers. The war ends with the defeat of the Serbs the wrong way through the unprofessional conduct against the ethics and principles of warfare by Sergeant Sergius Saranoff of the Bulgarian army. At last, the warring parties exchanged Prisoners of War at Parrot, a gesture that suggests the futility of warfare.

Style:

Below are some of the stylistic features of the play.

Language:

The language used by Shaw suits the situation and the characters. In the idealist concept, Raina, Catherine, and Major Paul Petkoff at different times discuss dazzling dreams conveyed in the colorful words of Bernard Shaw. Catherine explains:

"You touch a button, something tinkles in the kitchen and then Nicholas comes up… civilized people never shout for their servant. I‟ve e learnt that while you were away" (p.39).

The Use of Comedy:

Shaw employs comedy in his play, similar to some of the plays of William Shakespeare. All the problems of the play get resolved as each romantic bird ends up having his/her partner. The love inscription on the portrait that Raina inserts in her father ‟s raincoat for Captain Bluntschli to escape from Bulgaria in the period of war is humorous and entertaining.

Use of Contrast:

The romantic and dreaming nature of Raina in the beginning of the play contrasts with the night. The unkempt appearance of Captain Bluntschli in the play is in contrast with the smart appearance of Sergius in the photograph hung on the wall of Raina‟s bedroom. The exchange of love interests and desires as seen in Saranoff and Louka, Bluntschli and Raina indicate contrasts.

Dramatic Irony:

This is expressed when Captain Bluntschli condemns Sergius‟s risky and unwarranted Cavalry charge in the battlefield as amateurish and as an invitation to die, not realizing he was Raina‟s lover, but the audience knows the truth.

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