Write a Note on the Photograph Episode in “Arms and the Man.”
Arms And the Man is a notable literary work by George Bernard Shaw. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Arms And the Man.
Answer
Write a note on the photograph episode in “Arms and the Man.”
In G. B. Shaw’s (1856-1950) “Arms and the Man (1894), the “coat episode” is a funny and important scene in the play. This episode adds excitement to the play and reveals the truth about Raina’s feelings for Bluntschli.
Raina’s Help: Earlier in the story during the war, Raina helps Bluntschli to hide in her room. To help him escape, she gives him her father’s (Major Petkoff’s) old winter coat to wear—so he won’t get caught. Bluntschli wears the coat and leaves safely.
The Coat Returns: Months later, after the war is over, Bluntschli comes back to return the coat. Catherine (Raina’s mother) is shocked and scared because she does not want Major Petkoff to know what happened. She tells Bluntschli to leave quickly before anyone sees him.
A Photograph in the Coat’s Pocket: Just then, Major Petkoff and Sergius enter. To Catherine’s surprise, they greet Bluntschli warmly instead of acting suspiciously. Major Petkoff asks Catherine for his coat, but Catherine pretends it is in the closet. However, when Nicola (the servant) brings it, Petkoff finds a photograph inside. The photograph is of Raina, and on it, she has written:
“To My Chocolate Cream Soldier, a Souvenir.”
Petkoff assumes that Sergius is the “Chocolate Cream Soldier,” as he is her fiancé. He also assumes that Raina had given him the photo as a romantic gift. However, this is not true—Bluntschli is the real Chocolate Cream Soldier because he carried chocolates instead of bullets when Raina first met him.
The Ending: Seeing what happened, Raina quickly grabs the photograph to hide the truth, but by now, everyone is suspicious. Bluntschli is amused by the situation, while Sergius starts to understand that Raina is not truly in love with him.
In the end, this coat episode helps reveal the truth about everyone’s real feelings. Raina is actually in love with Bluntschli, not Sergius. Sergius realizes he is better suited for Louka. So, the coat and the photograph unintentionally bring the right couples together.