Arms and the Man Quiz: Questions on George Bernard Shaw's Play

Podcast Beta

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

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?

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

Who threatens to kill Raina if she makes a sound?

An enemy soldier Signup and view all the answers

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

She lacks courage and bravery Signup and view all the answers

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

Noble and heroic Signup and view all the answers

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

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

What does the soldier carry into battle instead of bullets?

Chocolates Signup and view all the answers

Where does Act II begin in the play?

In the Major's garden Signup and view all the answers

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

Nicola Signup and view all the answers

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

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

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

For aiding them in final negotiations of the war Signup and view all the answers

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

Paperwork Signup and view all the answers

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

A lost coat Signup and view all the answers

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

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

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

As a higher love Signup and view all the answers

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

A secret lover Signup and view all the answers

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

A locket with a photo of herself Signup and view all the answers

Why does Sergius challenge Bluntschli to a duel?

To prove his bravery and superiority Signup and view all the answers

What does Sergius retract his challenge to Bluntschli for?

Because Raina accuses him of spying Signup and view all the answers

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

Because he is wealthy and has many possessions Signup and view all the answers

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

It shows Raina's affectionate nickname for Bluntschli Signup and view all the answers

Why does Sergius apologize to Louka and kiss her hand?

To seek forgiveness for his behavior Signup and view all the answers

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

Jealousy Signup and view all the answers

What makes Raina realize that Bluntschli sees through her pretensions?

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

What leads to the engagement between Sergius and Louka?

Sergius apologizes and kisses Louka's hand Signup and view all the answers

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

Bluntschli promising great wealth and possessions Signup and view all the answers

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

The censor of plays refusing to grant a license Signup and view all the answers

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

Organized prostitution Signup and view all the answers

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

Remorseless Signup and view all the answers

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

To challenge the audience with uncomfortable truths Signup and view all the answers

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

Between her husband and a young poet Signup and view all the answers

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

'Candida' production at Royal Court Theatre Signup and view all the answers

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

'amorist' and 'utterly rational woman' Signup and view all the answers

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

'Exhausting' Signup and view all the answers

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

Warfare and love Signup and view all the answers

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

'biological continuity of human race' Signup and view all the answers

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

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

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

Tragedy Signup and view all the answers

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

The scandal of slum landlordism in London Signup and view all the answers

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

To draw attention to social issues Signup and view all the answers

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

Ironic Signup and view all the answers

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

The introduction of Ibsen's plays in London Signup and view all the answers

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

'Ibsenite' tone Signup and view all the answers

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

'Social evil' Signup and view all the answers

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

'Ironic comedy' Signup and view all the answers

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

'Exploitation of the poor' 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?

Cleopatra is a spoiled and vicious child Signup and view all the answers

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

Caesar is shown as a philosopher and soldier Signup and view all the answers

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

Political intrigue Signup and view all the answers

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

A magnanimous figure with 'original morality' Signup and view all the answers

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

'Original morality' Signup and view all the answers

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

Vicious child and spoiled Signup and view all the answers

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

American Revolution Signup and view all the answers

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

'Folly masquerading as duty and justice' Signup and view all the answers

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

'Electric prose style' Signup and view all the answers

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

'Folly masquerading as duty' 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

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

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.

Arms and the Man by George Bernard Shaw