Study Guide by Arpita Karwa

Arms and the Man by George Bernard Shaw

back Major Petkoff’s overcoat Catherine lent to him. He

calls himself Captain Bluntschli. Major Petkoff
recognises him as the soldier from the Serbian side and
invites him inside to help him with some of the pending
military orders.

The next act begins in the library where Louka and

Sergius confess their love for each other. Eventually,

m
Raina also admits that she is in love with Bluntschli,
who also confesses his love for her. The play ends on a
happy note with two new happy couples.

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‘Arms and the Man is written by the Irish playwright
George Bernard Shaw. It premiered at the Avenue Theatre
in 1894 and first published in 1898. The play is set during
the time when Bulgaria is in war with Serbia.

Raina Petkoff and her mother Catherine are admiring

Raina’s fiancée Sergius for his heroic act in leading a
successful cavalry in the war. Raina’s servant Louka enters
a.
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the room and informs the mother-daughter duo that they
should lock all the windows as the streets will become a
fighting ground soon.
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Raina doesn’t want to lock the windows of her room as

she thinks she is too courageous. The gunshots have
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begun. Raina sees a Swiss professional soldier entering her

room from the balcony. He is from the opposition army of
Serbia. He cries to Raina and expresses his plight to be
protected as he doesn’t want to die. Notably, he carries
chocolates instead of ammunition. Raina falls for his
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charm of sorts and agrees to help him.

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The soldier mocks the Captain who is leading Bulgaria’s

cavalry. He says that the Captain just lucked out as
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Serbians didn’t have ample ammunition. This angers

Raina and she tells him that the Captain is her fiancée.
The soldier apologises but laughs to himself. Raina says
that her family is a very influential family in Bulgaria and
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that he is their guest so his protection will be taken care of.

The war ends. Raina’s father Major Petkoff and Sergius

return back. Sergius and Raina are exchanging love notes.
After a little while, Raina leaves. Sergius goes to Louka and
grabs her by the waist. Louka is an ambitious woman.
Although she is married to the head servant Nicola, she
tells Sergius that apart from the fact that she is a servant,
he and she are no different.

The Serbian soldier arrives at Petkoff’s residence to return

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 Study Guide by Arpita Karwa

Mind Map

Millamant
Independent, attractive
aristocrat
Wife
Major Petkoff Catherine
A wealthy man in Bulgaria
at a high position in military An older wealthy woman

Daughter

Desirable and foolish

young man

Bluntschli
A Swedish professional soldier
Lovers
Raina
Kind-hearted, admires Sergius in
the beginning but confesses her
love for Bluntschli later in the play
Fiancee Sergius
Tall, handsome, wealthy,
well-spoken man, loves Louca
despite his engagement to Raina

Servant
Lovers

Fiancee

Louca Nicola
Ambitious, beautiful
Head servant at
young servant, leaves fiancee
Petkoff’s residence
Nicola for Sergius

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