Who is Raina Petkoff in arms and the man?
Raina Petkoff is the daughter of Major Petkoff and the heroin of Shaw’s play’s “Arms and the Man”. Raina is one of the beautiful female characters in English drama.
What does Petkoff say about Raina?
...Petkoff enters, a cheerful but rather undignified man of about 50. Louka goes to fetch Catherine, who kisses Paul and is delighted to hear that the war has ended. (full context) ...see Raina, who appears suddenly around the side of the house. Petkoff remarks aside to Catherine that Raina appears always at the right moment.
How old is Petkoff when he enters the House?
...Petkoff enters, a cheerful but rather undignified man of about 50. Louka goes to fetch Catherine, who kisses Paul and is delighted to hear that the war has ended. (full context) ...see Raina, who appears suddenly around the side of the house.

How old is Raina Petkoff?
Raina is the play's protagonist, a 23-year-old Bulgarian woman who is betrothed to the “heroic” Sergius, and who speaks in a dramatic, affected manner and (for much of the play) sing Sergius's praises.
How would you describe the character of Raina?
The heroine of the play, Raina's inner self is more nuanced than her outward appearances. Her true self is revealed not to be horrible or evil, but simply complex and human. Raina aspires to a perfect romantic chastity for Sergius, but really harbors affection toward Bluntschli after their initial encounter.
Do Raina and Sergius love each other?
In act two the audience finally meets Sergius, and it appears that Raina's family is more in love with him than she is. He is praised by her parents, and Raina still appears to be in love with him when they finally see each other.
Who was the chocolate cream soldier and why was he named so?
Bluntschli, a Swiss mercenary soldier affectionately dubbed "the chocolate cream soldier." Bluntschli is given this nickname by his eventual love interest -- a naive young, romantic Bulgarian woman named Raina, who is appalled to learn of his habit of filling his cartridge case with chocolates instead of ammunition.
What role does Raina play in Arms and the Man?
In “Arms and the Man”, a three-act play of George Bernard Shaw, Raina Petkoff plays a vital role in the unfolding of the plot of the play. She has been depicted as the only daughter of the Petkoffs. She is the apple of her parents' eye.
What is the relationship between Raina and Bluntschli?
Raina and Bluntschli have a relationship that is authentic and honest from the start of Arms and the Man. In contrast, Raina and Sergius are romantic with each other. He is the dashing calvary officer, and she his adoring lady.
Why Raina choose Bluntschli?
Bluntschli does possess some qualities which cause Raina to exchange the "noble and heroic" Sergius in favor of him. Raina's perfect honesty, in fact, allows her to relax and to come down from her pedestal. Bluntschli's fondness for chocolates in the midst of war is appealingly incongruous.
Why does Sergius fail in life?
He becomes known as a healer, and pilgrims come from far and wide. Yet Father Sergius is profoundly aware of his inability to attain a true faith. He is still tortured by boredom, pride, and lust. He fails a new test, when the young daughter of a merchant successfully beds him.
Why does Raina prefer Bluntschli to Sergius?
In fact, her attraction for Bluntschli is partly due to the fact that she can step down off the pedestal which she must be upon, metaphorically, whenever she is in Sergius' presence.
What is the meaning of chocolate soldier?
a soldier that does not fightDefinition of chocolate soldier 1 : a soldier that does not fight. 2 : choco.
Why is it called chocolate soldier?
Chocolate Soldier is an expression referring to a good-looking but useless warrior, popularised by George Bernard Shaw's 1894 play Arms and the Man. The term originates as a derogatory label for a soldier who would not fight but would look good in a uniform, shortened from 'Chocolate Cream Soldier'.
What do you think Bluntschli is trying to tell Raina about war?
Answer. Raina was having the idea about war as like her father and Sergius before she did meet with Bluntschli. She thought that soldier is a man who can combat fearlessly with the enemy for saving his own country.
Who is Raina Petkoff?
Character Analysis Raina Petkoff. Raina is one of Shaw's most delightful heroines from his early plays. In the opening scenes of the play, she is presented as being a romantically idealistic person in love with the noble ideal of war and love; yet, she is also aware that she is playing a game, that she is a poseuse who enjoys making dramatic ...
Is Raina romantic or aristocratic?
Raina, then, is perhaps a combination of all the above qualities. She is romantic, for example, when she remembers an opera (Verdi's Ernani) in which a member of the aristocracy shelters an enemy; thus, she shelters Bluntschli, since it is "chivalrous" to protect him.