Draw a Comparison Between Raina And Louka.

Answer

Draw a comparison between Raina and Louka.

In G. B. Shaw’s (1856-1950) “Arms and the Man” (first produced in 1894), Raina and Louka are two important characters who are very different from each other. They show different views on love, class, and life. Daughter of Major Petkoff, Raina is born into wealth and privilege. She is like the heroine of a romantic novel. Louka is a bold and realistic servant in the Petkoff household. Their differences help us understand Shaw’s message about society and human relationships.

Background and Social Status: Raina is born into a wealthy Bulgarian family. She is the daughter of Major Paul Petkoff. She has an easy life and is treated like a lady. Her engagement to Sergius, a high-ranking officer, shows her high social position. Raina’s upbringing makes her care about outer appearances and what society expects.

Louka, on the other hand, is a servant in Raina’s home. Despite her lower status, she doesn’t accept being treated as less important. She is confident and dreams of rising above her position. Louka scolds Nicola, another servant, in the following manner:

“You have the soul of a servant, Nicola.”

This shows her bravery in following her heart. She is determined to rise above her social class.

Personality: Raina is a romantic and loves to dream about heroic love and bravery. She has unrealistic ideas about life. For example, she calls Sergius her “hero” and believes they share a “higher love.” She says to Sergius:

“I think we two have found the higher love.”

Louka is the opposite. She is realistic and doesn’t believe in fake appearances. She tells Sergius,

“I know the difference between the sort of manner you and she put on before one another and the real manner.”

Louka’s words show she understands real emotions, while Raina is lost in her romantic fantasies.

Views on Love: Raina believes she loves Sergius, but her love is based on his image as a brave soldier. She does not really know