Volume : 7, Issue : 3, MAR 2021

GEORGE BERNARD SHAW'S ARMS AND THE MAN: A SATIRICAL EXPLORATION OF WAR AND HUMAN NATURE

DR. LAXMIKANT KARAL

Abstract

George Bernard Shaw’s play "Arms and the Man," first performed in 1894, critiques the romanticized views of war and the complexities of human nature. Set against the backdrop of the Balkan Wars, Shaw employs satire to explore themes of heroism, gender roles, and class distinctions. Through a careful analysis of characterizations, dialogue, and dramatic irony, this paper reveals how Shaw dismantles conventional perceptions of warfare, presenting it as a human folly rather than a noble endeavor.

Keywords

HEROISM, SOLDIER, RAINA, SURGIUS, HUMAN NATURE ETC.

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References

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  • A journal article that discusses Shaw's philosophical views and their representation in his plays.
  1. Wald, Alan. Shaw's Revolutionary Ideas: The Plays and Their Historical Context. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2001.