Arms and the Man
by
George Bernard Shaw
(Character
of Bluntschli)
The
most interesting and fascinating character in ‘Arms and the Man’ is Bluntschli.
He is the central character of the play and he keeps the plot moving. He is the
mouthpiece of Shaw as well as a typical Shavian hero.
When
Bluntschli first enters Raina's room, he is described as a thirty-four-year-old
professional soldier, who fights with the Serbians during the war. A man of
middle stature and undistinguished appearance, with strong neck and shoulders,
roundish obstinate looking head and clear, quick eyes. He is shabby, hungry and
exhausted, but has all his wits about him in spite of his desperate situation.
His energetic body indicates that he is not a man to be trifled with.
Bluntschli
is the mouthpiece of Shaw. Through him, Shaw expresses his own ideas regarding
love and war. He is the representative of average humanity; he is what Shaw
would like a man to be. He represents a step forward to the evolution of
Shavian superman.
Bluntschli
regards the cavalry charge of Sergius, and his displays of valour as acts of madness.
He represents the anti-romantic view of war. His experience of war and
soldiering has taught him not to believe in heroism. He has no glorious visions
of war, and believes that every soldier should try his best to save his own
life. According to him, it is the duty of a soldier to live as long as he can,
and avoid getting killed on the battlefield. This contrasts with the view that
there is glory to be gained by dying on the battlefield. When Sergius invites
him to a duel, he says, "I am a professional soldier: I fight when I have
to, and am very glad to get out of it, when I haven't to, you are only an
amateur: You think fighting is an amusement." His realism is reflected in
his realization that food is more important on the front than ammunition.
Bluntschli
is a shrewd judge of human nature. He knows that a young lady will not like to appear
before outsiders when she is not properly dressed. So, he uses this knowledge
to his advantage and uses Raina’s cloak as a weapon to protect himself. It is
this shrewdness that makes it possible for him to “find out” Raina, and judge
her true nature. He says, "When you strike that noble attitude and speak
in that thrilling voice, I admire you: but I find it impossible to believe a
single word you say." Raina, then admits that she has been able to deceive
others but not him. He sees through her affectations and posing and she asks in
wonder, “How did you find me out?”
Bluntschli
is a true romantic. He loves Raina and there is a gradual development of love
between the two. He is attracted to her for her noble attitude and thrilling
voice. His second visit to Raina’s house is prompted by his desire to see
Raina. He frankly declares his passion for Raina. This love is not sentimental,
it grows out of an understanding of the two.
Bluntschli
is an anti-hero. He would not like to put his life into danger for nothing or
to take a needless risk. But he is not to be considered as a coward. He never
surrenders himself to the situation whatever brave it may appear. Bluntschli
never hesitates to fight a duel when Sergius asks for.
Bluntschli
is practical and anti-romantic to a large extent. In this regard he is opposite
to Raina and Sergius, who are romantic, sentimental, and who live in a world of
unreality. His honest, unromantic nature influences Raina, in getting rid of
her false ideals. Further, he is a thorough gentleman: he tells Raina that he
does not want to bring disgrace to her by remaining in her room all night. So,
he agrees reluctantly, to leave and climb down the pipe into the street. His intelligence
is acknowledged by everybody he comes in contact with. Petkoff and Sergius are impressed
by his shrewdness and his skill in handling military matters. They openly
admire his military leadership qualities and skills.
Bluntschli
is a shrewd judge of human character and correctly interprets human motives and
actions. He understands the characters of Nicola and calls him the best man in
Bulgaria. He is a perfect humorist and much of the wit of the play is derived
from him. He is also a fine talker and a master of expressive phrases and
epigrams. Nicola, the servant pays a compliment to him when he says,
“The
Swiss is no fool, he isn’t”. Even Sergius, his beaten rival, expresses his
admiration of Bluntschli, “What a man! Is he a man?”
He
is always business-like, and this aspect of his nature seems to have deprived
him of delicate feelings. Louka points out rightly that he does not utter even
a word of sorrow when he came to know the news of his father's death. Even his
departure is cool and business-like – after offering himself as a suitor to
Raina, he gives a few instructions to Petkoff, and departs after fixing a time
for his return.
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