Write a note on the character of Nicola.

How far do you agree with Bluntschli that Nicola is the wisest man in Bulgaria?

It is correct that Nicola has the soul of a servant.

Ans.

Nicola is just a menial in the house of Major Petkoff but in Bluntschli’s estimate “Nicola is the ablest man” he has met in Bulgaria. This comment of the practical minded Bluntschli should carry a lot of weight in any discussion of Nicola’s personality. Shaw has introduced him in the following words: “He is a middle aged man of cool temperament and low but clear and keen intelligence with the complacency of the servant who values himself on his rank in servitude, and the imperturbability of the accurate calculator, who has no illusions.

(1) A Typical Loyal Servant: Nicola is a good example of typical servitude. He always obeys his master and mistress and never even thinks of doing anything that may ultimately be detrimental or harmful to their name or interest or position in society. He never defies his employers even when they scold him unduly. He is ever respectful towards them. Major Petkoff chides him for spoiling Raina’s Chocolate Cream Soldier and for bringing Bluntschli’s luggage in the garden. Even though Louka is not responsible for either of these accusations he admits his fault without even a wink of the eye. The hidden secrets of the Petkoff family which incite Louka to be disrespectful towards them have been known to Nicola also but he just keeps silent and never even dreams of bringing them to light. He tells Louka, “I know things about the mistress that she would not have the master know for a thousand Levas. I know things about him she wouldn’t let him hear the last of for six months if I blabbed them to her. I know things about Raina that would break off her marriage with Sergius.” But he would never reveal them to anyone. It was Catherine who had asked him to bring Bluntschli’s luggage in the garden and Raina’s Chocolate Cream Soldier never even existed but for these two mistakes Major Petkoff becomes angry and calls him “butter fingered donkey” but he only says “Yes. Major” and goes away from his presence. He warns Louka to mend her manners and tells her “If you quarrel with the family, I never can marry you. It’s the same as if you quarrelled with me! Because of such an attitude Louka continuously satirises him and hurls insults at him. “You have no soul.”.. “You have the soul of a servant.”. “You were born to be a servant. I was not. When you set up your shop you will only be everybody’s servant instead of somebody’s servant.”……” I believe you would rather be my servant than my husband. But to these humiliations Nicola only replies that to you get on as a servant one should know one’s place. This is the secret of a servant. It is not that he does not feel hurt.

(2) A Shrewd Judge of Characters: Nicola is a shrewd man and he possessed enough of insight to know the reality of everyone who comes into contact with him within no time. He has met Bluntschli for the first time and that too only for a short while but he opines about him. “He is no fool. He isn’t” and this opinion of his proves to be absolutely correct. Sergius gives him money, more in fact than is given to him by Bluntschli but he says about Sergius, “Sergius gave me that out of pure swagger. A fool and his money are soon parted.” He knows that despite being engaged to Louka he will not be able to remain so for long because of her high ambitions and so gives proper guidance to her to behave like a lady.

(3) A Careful Calculator : Nicola is a very prudent, farsighted and calculating man. He has planned his future very carefully and intends to open a shop in Sofia at some future time. He saves money for the purpose constantly and has remained a faithful servant to the Petkoffs because of a selfish reason too. “I shall always be dependent on the goodwill of the family. When I leave their service and start a shop at Sofia, their custom will be half my capital: their bad word would ruin me.” When realization comes to him that Louka’s soul is above her position, he thinks that she would prove to be a white elephant for him after marriage and says. “I have often thought that if Raina were out of the way and you just a little less of a fool and Sergius just a little more of one, you might come to be my grandest customer instead of only being my wife and costing me money.” Later towards the close of the play he repeats the idea-“I intend, as you know, Sir, to set up a shop later on in Sofia and I look forward to her custom and recommendation should she marry into the nobility.” Though now no one can be hundred percent sure of the truthfulness of his statement. He may be saying so only to make way for Louka’s marriage with Sergius.

(4) Man of world: Nicola is a perfect realist, fully conscious of the ways of the world and suffers from no illusions or dreams like others (except Bluntschli of course) do. He tries his best to make Louka behave correctly like a servant and always gives her proper advice “They (the Petkoffs) will discharge you for untruthfulness. Who would believe any stories you told after that ?” It was Nicola only who gave proper instructions to Louka and taught her to behave like a real lady. It was he alone who trained her for the purpose of fulfilling her ambition to marry into nobility.” Who was it made you give up wearing, a couple of pounds of false black have on your head and reddening your lips and cheeks like any other Bulgarian girl? I did. Who taught you to trim your nails, and keep your hands clean, and be dainty about yourself like a fine Russian lady? Me,” Besides her outward appearance Nicola also gives her suggestions about her behaviour with others. “Just listen to my advice. If you want to be a lady, your present behaviour to me wont to do at all, unless we are alone. It’s too sharp and impudent; and impudence is a sort of familiarity: it shews affection for me……….And don’t be so ready to defy everybody.”

(5) Relationship with Louka: Nicola seems to have a really soft corner full of love for Louka. He is engaged to her and makes efforts to make her refined and cultured but when he realizes that Louka’s ambition would stand in the way of their marriage he silently backs out. When he receives tips from Bluntschli and Sergius he proposes to give ten levas to Louka to spend. He hopes to marry her, be the master of the house and to enjoy his evenings together with Louka. He feels hurt when Louka speaks to him with implacable disdain. But soon he adapts himself to the changed situation and tries to elevate Louka’s image in the eyes of Sergius-“I was only speaking to this foolish girl about her habit of running up here to the library whenever she gets a chance, to look at the books. probably long ago anticipated that he and Louka were not destined to be ………” He had married, so he remains completely unperturbed when he finds that she is to get married to Sergius. Like a perfect actor he removes himself from the path to Louka’s happiness and at the last critical moment very gracefully denies his engagement with Louka.” When Petkoff accuses him and says that they had taken some money from him and a bracelet from Raina on the plea of getting married Nicola replies, “We gave it out so, Sir. But it was only to give Louka protection.”

It is because of this worldy wisdom, wit, sagacity, tactfully tactfulness and perfect realism of this man that Bluntschli cannot resist himself from saying, “Nicola is the ablest man I’ve met in Bulgaria. I’ll make him manager of a hotel if he can speak. French and German. He belongs to type of servants though cast in a less heroic mould. The readers and spectators cannot but have respect and admiration for this man.