Arms and the Man MCQs & Summary

Summary:

Arms and the Man is a comedy written by George Bernard Shaw in 1894. The play satirizes romanticized notions of war and love through the story of Raina Petkoff, a young Bulgarian woman engaged to Major Sergius Saranoff, a war hero. However, her views on heroism and love are challenged when Captain Bluntschli, a pragmatic Swiss mercenary fighting for the Serbian army, unexpectedly takes refuge in her bedroom.

Unlike the idealistic Sergius, Bluntschli is realistic about war, valuing food and survival over empty bravery. As the play unfolds, Raina realizes her admiration for Sergius is misplaced, and she falls in love with Bluntschli, who offers a more honest and sensible perspective on life.

The play explores themes of romanticism vs. realism, war, class differences, and true love. Shaw mocks the glorification of war and challenges traditional romantic ideals, portraying practicality and honesty as more valuable than blind heroism.

MCQs:

1. Who wrote Arms and the Man?
   A) William Shakespeare
   B) George Bernard Shaw
   C) Oscar Wilde
   D) Anton Chekhov
   Answer: B) George Bernard Shaw
2. In which year was Arms and the Man published?
   A) 1894
   B) 1913
   C) 1923
   D) 1879
   Answer: A) 1894
3. What war serves as the backdrop for the play?
   A) Napoleonic Wars
   B) The Balkan War
   C) The Serbo-Bulgarian War
   D) The Crimean War
   Answer: C) The Serbo-Bulgarian War

   

4. Who is Raina Petkoff engaged to?
   A) Captain Bluntschli
   B) Sergius Saranoff
   C) Major Petkoff
   D) Nicola
   Answer: B) Sergius Saranoff
5. What is Captain Bluntschli’s nationality?
   A) Bulgarian
   B) Serbian
   C) Swiss
   D) Russian
   Answer: C) Swiss
6. What does Bluntschli carry instead of extra ammunition?
   A) Gold coins
   B) Chocolates
   C) A love letter
   D) A map
   Answer: B) Chocolates
7. How does Raina first meet Captain Bluntschli?
   A) He saves her from an accident
   B) He hides in her bedroom to escape the Bulgarian soldiers
   C) They meet at a royal ball
   D) He is assigned as her tutor
   Answer: B) He hides in her bedroom to escape the Bulgarian soldiers
8. What does the play primarily satirize?
   A) The cruelty of war
   B) The British monarchy
   C) Romanticized ideals of war and love
   D) The importance of wealth in marriage
   Answer: C) Romanticized ideals of war and love
9. Who is Nicola in the play?
   A) A soldier in the Bulgarian army
   B) The Petkoff family’s servant
   C) A Swiss general
   D) Raina’s brother
   Answer: B) The Petkoff family’s servant
10. What is the final outcome for Raina?
    A) She marries Sergius
    B) She remains single
    C) She marries Captain Bluntschli
    D) She leaves Bulgaria
    Answer: C) She marries Captain Bluntschli