What Farcical Elements Do You Find in “Arms and the Man”?

Answer

What farcical elements do you find in “Arms and the Man”?

“Arms and the Man,” published in 1894, is a satirical play by George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950). The play is known for its farcical elements, which involve exaggerated situations, humor, and social commentary. Here are some farcical elements in the play:

Romanticized War: Shaw satirizes the romanticized view of war prevalent in society when the play was written. The character of Raina, for example, holds a romanticized and unrealistic view of war as something noble and heroic. She thinks soldiers are not afraid to die on a battlefield, especially her fiance Sergius.

Some soldiers, I know, are afraid of death.- Raina, Act 1, Section 1

Here, Raina tries to compare her hero, Sergius, and other soldiers.

The Chocolate Cream Soldier: The central character, Captain Bluntschli, is a soldier who seeks refuge in Raina’s bedroom. His nickname, “The Chocolate Cream Soldier,” adds a humorous touch to his character. It highlights the contrast between his practicality and the idealized image of soldiers.

The Petkoff Family: The Petkoff family, especially Raina’s parents, are portrayed with a certain degree of absurdity. They represent the upper-class society’s superficiality and lack of practicality. The humorous interactions between the family members contribute to the farcical tone.

Candid Commentary on War: Shaw uses humor to deliver a candid commentary on the nature of war, the absurdities of military glory, and societal attitudes toward conflict. For example, Sergius led his chivalry in front of heavy machine artillery. He only got lucky and won because the opposition had the wrong kind of ammunition. Sergius reveals the true nature of Soldering in Act 2, Section 1:

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

 The play’s wit and satire make it a farcical exploration of serious themes.

Matchmaking: Raina’s fiance, Sergius, flirts with the beautiful maid of the house, Louka. On the other hand, Raina learns the meaning of love and understanding from Captain Bluntschli. In a farcical manner, Sergius-Louka and Raina-Bluntschli both become happy and decide to marry.

These farcical elements contribute to the comedic and satirical nature of “Arms and the Man,” allowing Shaw to explore serious social and political issues through humor and wit.