WRITE BRIEF & DETAILED SUMMARY OF ARMS AND THE MAN.

Ans.

The opening scene of the Arms and the Man has been laid in the bed chamber of Raina Petkoff. She has retired into her bed in a romantic mood after kissing the portrait of her lover Major Sergius. She is extremely pleased to know that he has won the war and has now become the national hero. Suddenly a fugitive officer from the Serbian army bursts in through the window of her room. The Bulgarian soldiers were chasing him and he stands in the middle of the room and is deeply breathing. When the soldiers come there to search for him, she hides him behind the curtain and nobody notices him. After they have gone, they talk together about war. He had stayed there at pistol point. But his wise and realistic behaviour touches the heart of the Romantic girl. She feeds him with the chocolate creams because he is extremely hungry. Bluntschli explains that he is a professional soldier and Swiss by nationality. Raina inspires her mother also to his favour and the next morning they send him back safely in the overcoat of Major Petkoff. Petkoff and Sergius return home after the war. The midnight incident is known to both of them though the lady and the house remain concealed. Sergius is very sad because he has not been promoted so he declares to resign from his post. There is romantic scene of higher love between Raina and Sergius. Immediately afterwards, Sergius flirts with the maid-servant Louka. In the meantime, Bluntschli reappears there to return the coat. This puzzles both the ladies. Raina sees him and calls him loudly as chocolate cream soldier which surprises all of them. The situation is saved by blaming Nicola. Later all of them ask Bluntschli to stay with them till he returns home.

In the library, Bluntschli is chalking out the plans for the Bulgarians. When he is left alone with Raina, they talk together and Bluntschli refuses to be impressed by her romantic manners. When the identity of the night is disclosed, Sergius challenges Bluntschli which he later withdraws. Though Sergius is engaged to Raina, he declares his intention to marry Louka. Now Bluntschli proposes to Raina but the parents hesitate because they think him only a poor soldier. In order to satisfy them of his high status, he presents a detailed list of his property and social greatness. Now Catherine and Petkoff consent to his proposal. Bluntschli asks Sergius not to get married till he returns and the play ends with Sergius wondering at the magnetic personality of Bluntschli.