Arms And the Man : Quotations

Quotations

Idealism of Love

“I think we two have found the higher love. When I think of you, I feel that I could never do a base deed, or think an ignoble thought.”

Explanation: Raina believes that her love for Sergius is pure and perfect. She thinks of him as someone who makes her better. However, this is ironic because she secretly helped Bluntschli, and Sergius is secretly involved with Louka. Their relationship is not as perfect as Raina thinks.

“Oh, I shall never be unworthy of you any more, my hero—never, never, never.”

Explanation: Raina says this line while looking at Sergius’s portrait at the beginning of the play. She admires him greatly and believes he is a hero. At this point, she sees their love as perfect and ideal. However, later in the play, this idealism is broken as she discovers the truth about Sergius.

Disillusionment of Love

“The world is not such an innocent place as we used to think.”

Explanation: Sergius says this after Major Petkoff reveals that he found Raina’s photograph in the coat pocket in Act 3. Everyone had been hiding their secrets, pretending things were normal. Sergius’s words show that he realizes the idealized world he and Raina created is fake. They were both living in fantasies, and now they must face the truth.

Idealism of War

“The world is really a glorious world for women who can see its glory and men who can act its romance!”

Explanation: Raina says this after hearing of Sergius’s victory in battle. She believes her romantic ideas about war are true. This view makes Raina seem naïve, as she is sheltered from the realities of war and life. Her point of view shows traditional gender roles. Women are expected to watch and admire, while men take action and live out exciting things like going to war.

Disillusionment of War

“Remember: nine soldiers out of ten are born fools.”

Explanation: Bluntschli says this in Act 1 when he is hiding in Raina’s room. He means that most soldiers are not very smart and just follow orders without thinking. Bluntschli, however, is different. He is practical and only cares about surviving, not about acting like a hero. This shows his realistic view of soldiers and war.

“I am a Swiss, fighting merely as a professional soldier. I joined Servia because it came first on the road from Switzerland.”

Explanation: Bluntschli says this line in Act 1 after climbing into Raina’s bedroom to hide. He reveals that he is a Swiss mercenary. He is not a patriotic soldier fighting for his country. He joined the Serbian army simply because it was the first army he came across on his way. His view of war is practical and economic, not romantic or heroic.

“Soldiering … is the coward’s art of attacking mercilessly when you are strong, and keeping out of harm’s way when you are weak.”

Explanation: Sergius says this line in Act 2 when he talks about why he is quitting the army. He wanted to be brave and noble. However, he realized that soldiering is not about fairness or honor. Instead, it’s about attacking when you’re strong and avoiding danger when you’re not. This line opposes the idealism of war.

“Oh, war! war! The dream of patriots and heroes! A fraud, Bluntschli, a hollow sham, like love.”

Explanation: Sergius says this in Act 3. He realizes that war is not as heroic as it seems. Soldiers believe in the glory of war, but it’s just a fraud. Love, too, is a sham. People don’t always marry who they truly love. Instead, they follow society’s rules and act like they are happy.

Manipulation of Women and Class Division

“I would marry the man I loved, which no other queen in Europe has the courage to do.”

Explanation: Louka says this in Act 3. She challenges Sergius by saying that she would marry the man she loves, no matter his social status. She believes that this makes her braver than any queen because queens follow society’s rules and marry for status. Louka sees true bravery in defying class boundaries for love, something society would never allow.

Class Division

“You have the soul of a servant, Nicola. Yes: that’s the secret of success in service.”

Explanation: Louka says this to Nicola in Act 2. Nicola has warned Louka to be careful with her behavior toward Catherine, but Louka doesn’t care. She thinks Nicola is too loyal to the family and too much of a servant. Louka’s words show her resentment of her position in life. She believes that despite being a servant, she is equal to the family she works for. She hates the idea of being defined by her class.