Arms and the Man
Introduction + Context
Plot Summary
Detailed Summary & Analysis
Act 1 Act 2 Act 3
Themes
All Themes Identity, Authenticity, and Self-Expression Romanticism / Idealism vs. Realism Class Divisions Youth vs. Maturity Heroism
Quotes
Characters
All Characters Raina Petkoff Captain Bluntschli Major Sergius Saranoff Louka Catherine Petkoff Major Paul Petkoff
Symbols
All Symbols The Library Raina’s Novels
Literary Devices
All Literary Devices Allusions Dramatic Irony Foil Genre Irony Metaphors Mood Personification Satire Setting Similes Situational Irony Style Tone
Quizzes
All Quizzes Act 1 Quiz Act 2 Quiz Act 3 Quiz
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Arms and the Man

by

George Bernard Shaw

Upgrade to A+
Introduction Intro
Plot Summary Plot
Summary & Analysis
  • Act 1
  • Act 2
  • Act 3
Themes
  • All Themes
  • Identity, Authenticity, and Self-Expression Theme Icon
    Identity, Authenticity, and Self-Expression
  • Romanticism / Idealism vs. Realism Theme Icon
    Romanticism / Idealism vs. Realism
  • Class Divisions Theme Icon
    Class Divisions
  • Youth vs. Maturity Theme Icon
    Youth vs. Maturity
  • Heroism Theme Icon
    Heroism
Quotes
Characters
  • All Characters
  • Raina Petkoff
  • Captain Bluntschli
  • Major Sergius Saranoff
  • Louka
  • Catherine Petkoff
  • Major Paul Petkoff
Symbols
  • All Symbols
  • The Library Symbol Icon
    The Library
  • Raina’s Novels Symbol Icon
    Raina’s Novels
Lit Devices
  • All Literary Devices
  • Allusions
  • Dramatic Irony
  • Foil
  • Genre
  • Irony
  • Metaphors
  • Mood
  • Personification
  • Satire
  • Setting
  • Similes
  • Situational Irony
  • Style
  • Tone
Quizzes
  • All Quizzes
  • Act 1 Quiz
  • Act 2 Quiz
  • Act 3 Quiz
Theme Wheel Theme Viz
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Download the Teacher Edition
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Major Paul Petkoff

Arms and the Man Symbols

Next
The Library

The Library

The library in the Petkoff home is often held up as a symbol of their wealth, status, and accomplishment. Libraries are rare in Bulgarian homes, and therefore the library does indicate the family’s wealth—but it… read analysis of The Library

The Library Symbol Icon

Raina’s Novels

Raina is often seen clutching a romantic novel—but, crucially, she is rarely reading it. She uses the books rather like props. They once again indicate shallowness and social performance. That Raina neglects to actually read… read analysis of Raina’s Novels

Raina’s Novels Symbol Icon
Previous
Major Paul Petkoff
Previous
Major Paul Petkoff
Next
The Library
Next
The Library

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