Arms and the Man by George Bernard Shaw
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Questions and Answers

Why is Raina impressed with Major Sergius Saranoff at the beginning of the play?

  • For writing a famous novel
  • For being a skilled marksman
  • For leading a successful cavalry charge (correct)
  • For negotiating peace treaties

    • What news does Louka bring to Raina and Catherine?

  • The Bulgarians have lost the war
  • The Serbs are chasing the Bulgarians through the streets (correct)
  • Major Paul Petkoff has been injured
  • Raina's wedding has been postponed

    • Why does Raina decide to hide the enemy soldier when the soldiers come to search the house?

  • To protect the soldier from being captured (correct)
  • To seek revenge on the Bulgarian soldiers
  • Out of fear for her own safety
  • To seek help in negotiating peace

    • What is the setting of the play at the beginning?

    <p>Raina Petkoff's bedroom in a Bulgarian town in 1885</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who threatens to kill Raina if she makes a sound?

    <p>An enemy soldier</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What reason does Raina give for being unable to live up to Major Sergius Saranoff's nobility?

    <p>She lacks courage and bravery</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Raina describe Major Sergius Saranoff's actions in the cavalry charge?

    <p>Noble and heroic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Louka inform Raina about the soldiers outside her house?

    <p>They want to search the house for an enemy Serbian soldier</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the soldier carry into battle instead of bullets?

    <p>Chocolates</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where does Act II begin in the play?

    <p>In the Major's garden</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is lecturing Louka on the importance of respect for the upper class?

    <p>Nicola</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What shocking event do the women learn about from Major Petkoff and Major Saranoff?

    <p>The escape of a Swiss soldier into a woman's bedroom</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why does Major Petkoff insist that Captain Bluntschli must be their houseguest?

    <p>For aiding them in final negotiations of the war</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What task is Captain Bluntschli efficiently attending to in the library?

    <p>Paperwork</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Catherine astound Major Petkoff by retrieving with the new library bell?

    <p>A lost coat</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why does Raina declare that she is tired of Sergius' stiff propriety?

    <p>Because he talked about the escaping soldier story in front of her</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did Raina and Sergius describe their love for each other?

    <p>As a higher love</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What item does Louka claim Miss Raina had while Sergius was away?

    <p>A secret lover</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What item did Raina place in the pocket of the old coat she lent Bluntschli?

    <p>A locket with a photo of herself</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why does Sergius challenge Bluntschli to a duel?

    <p>To prove his bravery and superiority</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Sergius retract his challenge to Bluntschli for?

    <p>Because Raina accuses him of spying</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why does Raina give a loving smile to Bluntschli at the end?

    <p>Because he is wealthy and has many possessions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the inscription 'To my Chocolate Cream Soldier'?

    <p>It shows Raina's affectionate nickname for Bluntschli</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why does Sergius apologize to Louka and kiss her hand?

    <p>To seek forgiveness for his behavior</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What motivates Louka to inform Sergius about Bluntschli's intentions with Raina?

    <p>Jealousy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What makes Raina realize that Bluntschli sees through her pretensions?

    <p>'Didn't feel into the pockets' where she placed the photo by Raina</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What leads to the engagement between Sergius and Louka?

    <p>Sergius apologizes and kisses Louka's hand</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What prompts Raina to grant permission for Bluntschli to marry her?

    <p>Bluntschli promising great wealth and possessions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What delayed the performance of Mrs. Warren's Profession until 1902?

    <p>The censor of plays refusing to grant a license</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of subject does Mrs. Warren's Profession deal with?

    <p>Organized prostitution</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term best describes the treatment of the subject in Mrs. Warren's Profession?

    <p>Remorseless</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why did Shaw call some of his early plays 'unpleasant'?

    <p>To challenge the audience with uncomfortable truths</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In Candida, what significant choice does the heroine have to make?

    <p>Between her husband and a young poet</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What encouraged the formation of a successful theater partnership in English theatrical history?

    <p>'Candida' production at Royal Court Theatre</p> Signup and view all the answers

    'You Never Can Tell' lightly touches on what kind of speculative issues?

    <p>'amorist' and 'utterly rational woman'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Shaw describe the strain while writing his plays in the midst of his other work?

    <p>'Exhausting'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    'Arms and the Man' makes fun of romantic falsifications related to what themes?

    <p>Warfare and love</p> Signup and view all the answers

    'Candida' presents a conflict between man as a spiritual creator and woman as guardian of what?

    <p>'biological continuity of human race'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What prompted George Bernard Shaw to refurbish his comedy Widowers’ Houses into a play with an 'Ibsenite' tone?

    <p>The success of Henrik Ibsen's plays in London</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of situation does Shaw seem determined to avoid in his play?

    <p>Tragedy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of the play 'Widowers' Houses' does Shaw primarily focus on?

    <p>The scandal of slum landlordism in London</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In 'Widowers' Houses', what is the main reason for focusing more on social evil than on romantic situations?

    <p>To draw attention to social issues</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What key tone does Shaw incorporate into 'Widowers' Houses' to break away from romantic conventions?

    <p>Ironic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What motivated Shaw to refurbish 'Widowers' Houses' into a play with an 'Ibsenite' tone?

    <p>The introduction of Ibsen's plays in London</p> Signup and view all the answers

    'Widowers’ Houses' by Shaw was distinct from other plays of its time due to its focus on:

    <p>'Ibsenite' tone</p> Signup and view all the answers

    'Widowers’ Houses', unlike traditional plays, directs the audience's attention towards:

    <p>'Social evil'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    'Widowers’ Houses' illustrates Shaw's preference for which tone in his dramatic works?

    <p>'Ironic comedy'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    'Widowers’ Houses' criticizes conventional character types by focusing on:

    <p>'Exploitation of the poor'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In George Bernard Shaw's play 'Caesar and Cleopatra', how does Shaw portray Cleopatra compared to Shakespeare's depiction?

    <p>Cleopatra is a spoiled and vicious child</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes Shaw's portrayal of Caesar in 'Caesar and Cleopatra' from traditional hero depictions?

    <p>Caesar is shown as a philosopher and soldier</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What theme is central to Shaw's play 'Caesar and Cleopatra'?

    <p>Political intrigue</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes the character of Caesar in Shaw's play 'Caesar and Cleopatra'?

    <p>A magnanimous figure with 'original morality'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of Caesar does Shaw emphasize in his play 'Caesar and Cleopatra'?

    <p>'Original morality'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What differentiates Shaw's portrayal of Cleopatra in 'Caesar and Cleopatra' from the traditional image of her?

    <p>Vicious child and spoiled</p> Signup and view all the answers

    'The Devil’s Disciple' by Shaw is set during which historical period?

    <p>American Revolution</p> Signup and view all the answers

    'Captain Brassbound’s Conversion' by Shaw serves as a sermon against what?

    <p>'Folly masquerading as duty and justice'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    'Three Plays for Puritans' by Shaw is known for featuring what type of preface?

    <p>'Electric prose style'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    'Captain Brassbound’s Conversion' differs from other plays by Shaw primarily in its focus on what?

    <p>'Folly masquerading as duty'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Arms and the Man

    • The play is set in a Bulgarian town in 1885 during the Serbo-Bulgarian War
    • It begins in the bedroom of Raina Petkoff, where she and her mother Catherine discuss the victorious cavalry charge led by Raina's fiancé, Major Sergius Saranoff
    • A Serbian soldier, Captain Bluntschli, enters the room, and Raina hides him from the Bulgarian soldiers
    • Bluntschli is a Swiss professional soldier hired by Serbia, and he carries chocolates into battle instead of cartridges
    • Raina and Bluntschli develop a connection, and he eventually returns to the house as a guest

    Act II

    • The scene shifts to the garden of Major Petkoff's house, where Nicola lectures Louka on respect for the upper class
    • Louka has independent plans and aspirations
    • Major Petkoff returns home from the war, and Catherine greets him with news of the war's end and the installation of an electric bell in the library
    • Sergius and Major Petkoff recount the story of the Swiss soldier who escaped by climbing up a balcony

    Act III

    • Captain Bluntschli is attending to paperwork in the library, and Sergius and Major Petkoff observe
    • Raina and Bluntschli are left alone, and she compliments him on his appearance
    • Bluntschli receives a telegram announcing his father's death and his inheritance of six hotels
    • Louka and Sergius reconcile, and Bluntschli asks for permission to marry Raina

    George Bernard Shaw

    • Shaw began writing for the English stage, where Sir A.W.Pinero and H.A.Jones were prominent dramatists
    • Shaw's early plays, such as Widowers' Houses, followed the tone of Ibsen's plays
    • Shaw's play Arms and the Man was performed in 1894 and made lighthearted fun of romantic falsifications of love and warfare
    • Shaw's other plays, such as Candida and You Never Can Tell, explored themes of love, morality, and the human condition
    • Shaw married Charlotte Payne-Townshend in 1898, and the marriage lasted all their lives

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    Test your knowledge of the play 'Arms and the Man' by George Bernard Shaw, which is set in a Bulgarian town during the Serbo-Bulgarian War in 1885. Explore the themes, characters, and plot of this classic piece of literature.

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