Question 5
Arms and the Man
How is Romantic love treated in the play?
Observation
A good number of candidates attempted this question. However, many of them did not meet the demands of the question. Romantic love in the play is treated in the following ways:
Raina’s romantic perception of love; her reading of Byron and Pushkin has impacted her idea of love.
Raina’s affection for her fiancée Sergius who is fighting in the war between Bulgaria and Serbia. His supposed heroic performance feeds into her romantic perceptions of love.
Bluntschili’s blunt but realistic perception of both love and war.
Raina’s flirting with Bluntschili behind Sergius’ back and Sergius’ flirting with Louka
behind Raina’s back.
Nicola’s giving up on Louka for business and profit, and Louka for social status.
Candidates’ performance in this question was poor.
