NON – AFRICAN DRAMA
BERNARD SHAW: Arms and the Man
Comment on the significance of the battle at Slivnitza.
Explanation
The battle at Slivnitza is between the Bulgarian and the Serbian forces in the ongoing war. This battle takes place in the “little town near the Dragoman pass” on the border between Bulgaria and Serbia. The winner of the battle is the Bulgarian side as a result of the “able” leadership of Major Sergius Saranoff. The victory sets off the action of the play as Mrs Catherine Petkoff shouts the good news to her daughter, Raina, when the play opens: “A great battle at Slivnitza! A victory’ by Sergius”. Both Catherine and Raina are excited as they await their hero’s return. Thus, the theme of war and love are highlighted in the play.
The victory makes Catherine proud of Sergius who is Raina’s fiancé, though it is not clear the relationship is based on true love since Catherine insists that Raina should henceforth show greater love to Sergius.
The war dominates the action of the play reported. Most of the characters are introduced as the war is being discussed. Characters like Major Sergius and Captain Bluntschli reveal themselves through their war experiences.
Bluntschli’s attempt to escape capture by enemy soldiers drives him to take refuge in Raina’ s bedroom. This encounter results in a romance which culminates in the marriage between Bluntschli and Raina. Also, Sergius’s character as a foolhardy general who cares little about the safety of the soldiers under his command is brought to light.
This explodes the myth of heroism relating to war exploits. The good commander is the one who saves life whenever this is possible, as in the case of Bluntschli, not the one who does not care whether his soldiers die or live as long as he wins the battle. The good soldier lives to fight another day.