Make a comparative study between the characters of Raina and Louka

A Comparative Study Between the Characters of Raina and Louka

 

Raina and Louka are two important but contrasting characters of the play ‘Arms and the Man’ by George Bernard Shaw. Shaw’s intention is to expose contrast between romantic ideals of war and love and their realities in portraying such opposing characters. Raina with romantic illusion represents idealism while Louka represents realism.

Raina is the heroine of the play. In fact, the play centres round her character, her development from snob to a mature young woman. She is portrayed as a young lady “intensely conscious of her own youth and beauty”. She holds romantic ideals about life as part of her aristocratic upbringing. Though she doubts about the heroic ideals of Sergius, she worships her finance after hearing his gallantry at Slivnitza. Her love for Sergius is equally idealistic.

But all her romantic notions about war and heroism shatter when she faces the fugitive, Bluntschli. She learns that there is nothing glorious in war and soldiers are just common humans. Her “higher-love” with Sergius also stumbles realizing its absurdities. Soon, she falls in love with Bluntschli for his rational attitude.

Besides, Shaw portrays his heroine as intelligent and witty. She saves Bluntschli from the Russians and calls him “Chocolate Cream Soldier”. She is also sympathetic, kind and full of humanity. In fine, her transformation shows the absurdities of romantic ideals.

 On the other hand, Louka is Shaw’s second dynamic character, first being Bluntschli, in the play. She is a maidservant of the Petkoffs. Her first appearance, “a handsome proud girl in a Bulgarian peasant’s dress with double apron”, suggests that she is more than a mere servant. She possesses a soul which is ambitious to gain a status in society. She is beautiful and clever. With her shrewdness, she finally achieves what she desires.

Again, in contrast to Raina who is romantic and idealistic, Louka is quite realist and practical in her attitude towards life. Though a maidservant, she has the ability to judge a man like Sergius whom Raina hails so high. She realizes how hollow and fragmented his “higherlove” for Raina is. Through her charm and intelligence, she wins Sergius as her suitor though she was initially engaged to Nicola, the male-servant. Moreover, Louka is bold enough to proclaim her love and her status. Her consciousness of her position in the society suggests the breakdown of traditional status quo. In short, Louka represents Shaw’s idea about social ability.

To conclude, we may say that, Raina and Louka are entirely two opposite characters. Raina embodies what is romantic and idealistic in life. By contrast, Louka is a realist devoid of any romantic illusions.

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Written By

S. MALLICK

 

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BIBLIOGRAPHY – Text Book (FBC), A Study Guide (FBC) & Handnote Series (Lecture)