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MonkeyNotes-Arms and the Man by George Bernard Shaw
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PLOT

In a war between Bulgaria and Serbia, the Serbian soldiers are fleeing. A Serbian soldier surprises Raina, the heroine, by entering her bedroom for shelter. The Serbian officer is a Swiss mercenary soldier fighting on the Serbian side, his name is Captain Bluntschli. Raina Petkoff had been dreaming of her fiancé Sergius; about how valiantly he had led the Bulgarians to victory. Bluntschli is a soldier who prefers a supply of chocolates to bullets when he goes to the front. He gives an account to Raina about the Bulgarian victory, which according to him, was a fluke as someone had forgotten to supply the Serbian army with ammunition. Her romantic notion about soldiers receives a shock when he tells her he is afraid and unwilling to die. However, when the pursuers enter the house, she hides Bluntschli successfully. Only Louka, the maidservant notices the pistol and knows that the fugitive is hiding in the room.


Four months later, after the war is over, Major Petkoff and Sergius get a warm welcome from Mrs. Petkoff and Raina. The two men talk about a young Swiss officer who had impressed them with his practical approach to the exchange of soldiers. Louka and Nicola discuss Raina's encounter with the Swiss soldier and Nicola advises her not to talk about it. Sergius is attracted to Louka and when alone, flirts with her. The men have also heard stories about the Swiss soldier's escape and how a young girl had given him shelter. They do not know that the incident had taken place in Major Petkoff's own house. While the two men retire to the library, Captain Bluntschli arrives to return the coat Major Petkoff and Raina had lent him. The two women want him to go away and pretend not to know him when Major Petkoff and Sergius greet him warmly. The men persuade him to stay back for lunch.

After lunch, Bluntschli helps Major Petkoff and Sergius to make arrangements for the transport of troops. Major Petkoff asks for his coat and Raina is apprehensive that he may discover the photograph, which she had put in the pocket for her "Chocolate Cream Soldier." Sergius learns the true identity of the "Chocolate Cream Soldier" and challenges Bluntschli to a duel which Raina interrupts and expresses her real feelings for Bluntschli. Louka succeeds in securing Sergius for herself and Major Petkoff and his wife give their consent to Bluntschli to marry Raina.

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