Socialism in G.B Shaw’s Arms and the Man: A study of Realism and Idealism

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to describe socialism in George Bernard Shaw’s play Arms and the Man and compare and contrast between realism and idealism. George Bernard Shaw known as Barnard Shaw is a famous dramatist of later half of 19^th century and early half of 20^th century. Shavian play is gradually based on social problems. Shaw introduces the problems and also find a solution by discussion. So, his plays are known as ‘problem play’ and ‘discussion play’. Shaw reveals his idea through shocking sentences. His words at first shatter our old ideas but gradually we realize its utility. The Shavian hero posses Life Force. Life Force means a practical mind without any illusion of life. The play Arms and the Man is also followed the same tradition. The subtitle of the play is ‘an anti romantic comedy in three acts’. In his play the first act introduces a problem, second act develops it and third act resolves the problem with discussion. Shaw’s pleasant plays are apparently comic but it makes us laugh but they also make us think. Shaw also delivers serious ideas through the guise of comic manner. As a result common ideas seen new. Here he placed two heroes Bluntschli who is rational and calculative and Sergius who is romantic and impulsive and two heroines Raina and Louka. In this play Shaw satirizes War by these two hero, Marriage by these two hero and heroine and Slavery by Nicola.