CLASS 12 AATM WKBK PGS 166 TO 168

27 (i) : Sergius is welcoming Captain Bluntschli, a Swiss mercenary who had fought on the Serbian side in the recent war the Bulgarians had fought with the Serbians. Captain Bluntschli had been in the very cannon regiment Sergius cavalry regiment had attacked and defeated. Thereafter, Sergius and Paul Petkoff had met Bluntschli at Pirot after the peace-treaty had been signed between the Bulgarians and the Serbs where they had to negotiate the terms for the exchange of fifty Serbs taken prisoner of war.It was there that though Sergius had fought Bluntschli as an enemy, they had become friends and Bluntschli had told them the story of how he was protected and saved by two Bulgarian women.

(ii) : Pretkoff hopes that the man had come as a friend as Bluntschli had proved to be a cunning opponent and had tricked them into a very uneven exchange at Pirot. Thus Petkoff would like Bluntschli to be on his side and be an advantage to him rather than be someone who would leave him the poorer.
        Earlier, that is, at Pirot, when Bluntschli was working for the Serbians, he had got Sergius and Paul to agree to the exchange of fifty Serbian prisoners "able-bodied men", for two hundred "worn out chargers" who were "not even eatable" and who caused them additional problems as they had to take care getting fodder for them seeing to their movement.movement. Sergius and Paul had realised that they had been "two children in the hands of that consummate soldier".

(iii) : Catherine does not really want Captain Bluntschli to stay for lunch. Just before Sergius and Paul Petkoff had rushed into the garden to meet him, Catherine she had told him that he had to leave the house "at once". Her reason for wanting Bluntschli out of the house at the earliest was that she feared that if Paul (her husband) found out "the secret" - the secret shared by Catherine, Raina and Bluntschli - that Catherine and Raina were the two ladies who had given Bluntschli refuge from their won army when Bluntschli was still the enemy, her husband would never forgive her and Raina's life would "hardly be safe"

(iv) : Sergius and Paul Petkoff needed to find a way to send three regiments back to Philippopolis by another route as there was no forage for them on the Sofia route. They were at their wits end as to how to do so. They were, thus, delighted to have Bluntschli to help them.
          This, their delight to see Bluntschli and their thinking that he is able to help them, and his immediate understanding of the problem - that the "forage was the problem" tells us that he is a knowledgeable and efficient person when it comes to such matters.

(v) : Through the play we have been brought to understand that ability has nothing to do with class or rank. Louka definitely thinks so and has shown by her attitude and discussion with Nicola that she believes  that just because she is a servant that does not make her any less of a person. Sergius has seen that even in the army his leading his country to victory did not bring promotion to him. On the other hand two Cossack generals who had their regiments routed on the most correct principles of scientific warfare were promoted as major-generals - he had thus resigned from the army. Now, Bluntschli is only a captain and Sergius and Paul are of a higher rank than he is but he is far ore efficient than they are in matters of war !.

CLASS XI : AATM WKBK PGS 55 TO 56

5 (i) : When Raina calls herself "a prosaic little coward" she means that she nondescript (insignificant - unimportant) person, who was afraid of faces the challenges of life. She says this about herself because she regrets having not believed in Sergius' heroic nature. She had wondered whether he would really prove he was glorious as he looked when he actually had to prove himself in battle. She had doubted him even when he held her in his arms. She doubted him because she thought that real life was seldom perfect and that people always seemed to fall short of one's expectations.
          Raina is very critical of herself in this statement. Her mother had chided her for her doubting Sergius. Circumstances seem to have proved her so convincingly wrong about Sergius, that she begins to be unduly self-critical. However, this manner does not persist.  It tells us that she is still to gain inner strength to trust her opinions and is till easily swayed.

(ii) : "all true" refers to Sergius and all the promise he seemed to hold. Raina's mother, Catherine, had selected Sergius for marriage to her daughter and had been disappointed that her daughter had not believed how wonderful Sergius was and had made him wait for a year before being betrothed to him. Raina had doubted Sergius even when she had "Buckled on his sword" - meaning when she swooned on seeing him look so smart in his soldier's uniform. She had doubted him even when he had held her in his arms - wondering whether she would be disillusioned or whether Sergius would be a failure. She wondered if he would "cut a poor figure" before the Russians, even though he looked so handsome !
         It became "all true" when Sergius proved that he was really as glorious as he seemed to be. He proved that when he daringly and courageously led his cavalry regiment in an attack on the enemy Serb cannon positions when the Russian officers had decided not to challenge the Serbs because of their superior position. Sergius' surprise charge succeeded. The enemy cannon did not fire and the Serb regiment was routed and the Bulgarians won the battle at Slivnitza. Sergius was the "hero of the hour" and "idol of his regiment".

(iii) : In this extract, Raina says that she feels that Sergius "is just as splendid as he looks !"
         Earlier in the play she had said that even when she had "buckled on Sergius' sword he looked so noble" she thought of "disillusion", "humiliation" and "failure". Even when he was holding her in his arms and looking into her eyes she doubted him - thinking that Life is never as perfect as the romantic poets and operas make it out to be. She doubted whether in a real battle he would disappoint. She wondered if he might "cut a poor figure" compared to the Russian officers.

(iv) : Raina says that the world is a glorious place for women who can see the worlds "glory" and "men who can act its romance". By this she means that the life really becomes perfect if women imagine the ideal and heroic nature of life. When their dream is matched with the chivalry and courage of the men who dare to live up to the romantic ideals - the world truly becomes an ideal place to live in.
         This suggests that Raina and Sergius have committed themselves to the romantic and idealistic notions of life and they have committed to living by those ideals in their lives - in love and war. It reveals that both of them are idealists.

(v) : Raina is feeling so happy because life seems really perfect to her at this moment. The person to whom she is engaged to be married has proved himself to be the very kind of man he portrayed himself to be. She was absolute convened at this moment that she had met the perfect person and all that was left was for her to get married to Sergius and they would live happily forever.
         The "unspeakable fulfillment" Raina speaks of is the feeling which accompany complete satisfaction in life. This satisfaction and joy comes from being totally convinced that the man she is betrothed has proved to her that he is truly the best life partner for her. She is going to enter into a life of total bliss with him.

CLASS XIII AATM WKBK PGS 165 TO 166

26 (i) : Catherine asks Bluntschli to leave her house immediately as she does not want her husband Paul Petkoff, and Sergius to meet him and thus realise that that the two women who had given him refuge were Catherine and Raina and that the house was the one in which he had sought refuge as a fugitive. She also did not want to be found to be an unpatriotic Bulgarian who hid the country's enemies from their soldiers. She also did not want them to know that raina and herself had been so easily swayed by "persuasive traveller's manners."

(ii) : The secret which is not known to Catherine's husband and future son-in-law is that Raina and catherine are the lady and her mother who had given refuge to Captain Bluntschli when he sought refuge in their house after the defeat of the Serbs at the battle at Slvnitza.
         While Catherine tells Bluntschli that there will be terrible consequences for herself and her daughter and their lives would not be safe if her husband found out the secret. However, Catherine feels that they will be found out to be unpatriotic Bulgarians and Sergius would realise that Raina was not faithful to him and their engagement could be in jeopardy.

(iii) : Catherine calls Bluntschli a foreigner because he is a foreigner - he is a Swiss national.
         Catherine is talking about the national animosity between the Bulgarians and the Serbians. She had expressed this earlier in the play when she was disgusted that 'peace' had been declared with the Serbs. She had wanted Serbia to be annexed to Bulgaria and Prince Alexander made Emperor of the Balkans.

(iv) : Catherine says that "they" - meaning the members of her family, especially her husband and her future son-in-law. She is really creating an excuse for her to get rid of Bluntschli from her home. She does not realise how well her husband and Sergius have got to know Bluntschli and thus attempts to portray them as being still very angry with the Serbs and with aggressive feelings against them, and those, like Bluntschli, who had been part of the Serbian war effort.

(v) : Catherine is talking about the peace treaty which had been signed between the Bulgarians and Serbs about three days previously at Bucharest - the peace-treaty Paul and told her of.
        According to Catherine the effect of the peace-treaty on her husband was that it had left him frustrated - "like a lion baulked of his prey" ! She meant to say that her husband was still very incensed against the Serbs and a small excuse would be sufficient for him to pick a quarrel or fight with one of them.

CLASS XII AATM WKBK PGS 159 TO 161

23 (i) : Sergius had just prior to this quotation, said some very hurtful things to Louka. He had called her "an abominable clod of common clay, with the soul of a servant". This remark had deeply offended Louka. Sergius had also gripped Louka tightly above her elbows with both his hands after she had told him that Raina would marry the enemy soldier whom she had given refuge if he ever came back. She had also told him that he knew that the love Sergius and Raina expressed to each other was false.He had coninued holdaing her tightly and hurting her in spite of her struggling to be set free.

(ii) : Louka means to say that a sophisticated lady might accept a show of gentlemanly behaviour such as Sergius has just acted - removing his shako in respect to her, and with "profound humility" in his voice expressing his regret at his ungentlemanly behaviour and requesting her forgiveness.
        Louka is cleverly using the same taunt that Sergius had used to her when he stressed her position as a servant in the conversation which preceded this extract to try and draw from him a more tangible expression of sorrow than mere words. She would need a demonstration in action of his true repentance.

(iii) : By offering Louka money Sergius shows that he is so engrossed in himself that he is still quite blind to Louka's genuine love and affection for him. His giving money also shows that he doesn't really understand that he no money can be a sufficient price for physically abusing a woman.

(iv) : Louka refuses the money because she was offended that anyone, much less Sergius, whom she loves, would think that money be a token of regret for ungentlemanly behaviour. Louka also wished that Sergius show her a token of his affection and that she meant more to him as a person - which would be more valuable to her than money.
         In not accepting the money Louka shows a certain nobility in her character - that she cannot be cheaply bribed. It shows that she has true sense of self worth and dignity.

(v) : Later in the play, Sergius notices that Louka has rolled up her left sleeve to her shoulder and fixed it with a broach and a bracelet covers the part of the arm which had been bruised by Sergius. Segius turns up the bracelet and sees the bruise and asks if he could "cure it" and tries to take he in his arms, but Louka proudly refuses him.
        However, towards the end of the play, Sergius does, on bended knee, ask Louka to forgive him. Louka does accept his forgiveness and she offers him her hand which he kisses.

CLASS 12 AATM WKBK PGS 163 TO 165

25 (i) : Catherine had asked Raina a question concerning 'The Man' - the Swiss mercenary in the Serbian army who had sought and been given refuge in Raina's room and whose presence in their home had not been revealed to the Bulgarian soldiers or their Russian officers - and whom we now know to be Captain Bluntschli. She had wanted to know when exactly 'The Man' had climbed up to Raina's room. She questioned Raina as to whether 'The Man' had climbed up after the soldiers had gone or whether he was there even when the Russian soldier had searched Raina's room.
            Raina was hesitant in giving a definite answer. She conveyed that she was not so sure of the exact time. She said that she though that the "he must have been there then" - a very vague answer. Raina had probably initially lied to her mother telling he that the man had entered her room on;y after the Russian soldier had left.

(ii) : According to Catherine "it will all be over" between Raina and Sergius if Sergius was to come to know that Raina had given refuge to an enemy soldier and had not revealed his presence to the Bulgarian soldier and Russian officer even when Serbia was at war with Bulgaria. She means to say that Sergius would call off the engagement with Raina if he found out that Raina was so unpatriotic  to her country.

(iii) : Raina calls Sergius her mother's pet as Catherine really does seem very taken up with Sergius. It was she who had chosen him as a future partner for her daughter. She it was who had admonished Raina for keeping Sergius waiting for a whole year before she agreed to be betrothed to him. Catherine seemed so thrilled when Sergius returned from the war - she called him "My dear Sergius" and welcomed him with open arms. It was Catherine who seemed very keen that Sergius and Raina spend time with each other and strengthen their relationship. It really seemed that Catheine was very keen to have Sergius as her son-in-law.

(iv) : Raina says that her mother should marry Sergius rather than she as she was very annoyed with Catherine for pushing her relationship with Sergius so strongly especially at the time when she was confused and undecided about her realtionships - to Sergius and to Bluntschli.

(v) : According to Raina, her mother would "pet" Sergius and "spoil him, and mother him to perfection". Raina means that Catherine could not help herself pleasing Sergius and her adoration of him would only have the effect of encouraging Sergius to try to meet Catherine's expectations and reach the "heroic ideas" Raina and Catherine had spoken of in Act 1.

(vi) : Raina says that she doesn't "care" if Sergius finds out about the chocolate cream soldier or not and that she "half hopes" that he finds out about him because she is gradually coming to the realisation that she is truly in love with him in a more real way than she is with Sergius. Sergius finding out about her relationship with Bluntschli would help resolve her dilemma regarding her love.
         Raina says that she always feels a longing to do or say something dreadful to Sergius - to shock his propriety - to scandalise the five senses out of Sergius ! What she means to say that she finds that Sergius is so perfect that his perfection is getting to her and that she would like to know the real and true, human Sergius.

CLASS XI AATM WKBK PGS 53 TO 54

4 (i) : Raina is speaking these lines to Catherine, her mother, one night in November 1885 in the bedroom of their home located in a small town near the Draogman pass in Bulgaria, after her mother had informed her of the news of the "great battle" and victory at Slivnitza.
           'we" refers to Catherine and Raina, who hold to the romantic ideals - "heroic ideas" as Raina calls them.

(ii) : Byron (George Gordon, Lord Byron) was the English Romantic poet and Pushkin (Alexandr) is the Russian romantic poet.
        Since both were romantic poets, through reading them, Raina believes that they had been imbued with the romantic notions - the "heroic ideas" expounded by the romantic creed. These ideas glorify ideal behaviour in love and war. Thus, Sergius daring cavalry charge on a regiment of cannon was seen by them as heroic while others (realists and pragmatists) saw it as an act of sheer madness.

(iii) : We do not know the name of the particular 'opera' (musical theatrical performance) which Catherine and Raina had gone to see in Bucharest. However, later, Raina refers to the opera of Ernani which also extols such heroic ideas as such having the responsibility of giving safety even to one's enemies who seeks refuge with him.
         In the opera Ernani fleeing from his enemies, takes refuge in the castle of "his bitterest enemy" and old Castilian noble. The nobleman protects him from those he is fleeing from. to that Castilian nobleman "His guest is sacred to him." Thus, later in the play, Raina and Catherine give refuge to a fleeing soldier of the Serbian army to sought refuge in Raina's room, did not disclose that soldier's presence to their own Bulgarian soldiers (and the Russian officer who accompanied them) when they came in search of him and disguised him and sent him away.

(iv) : (a) : "real life is so seldom like that" - means that what is in poetry and opera are works of dream and imagination - created to help us renew our faith in human nature and life - and the reality of life is far removed (very different) from those ideals.
         (b) : "cut a poor figure there" - means present oneself in a very disrespectful manner. What Raina is referring to is that she doubted that Sergius would really be so noble and heroic in battle and that he would be despised by the others in the army for his inabilities.

(v) : Raina's fears that Sergius heroism and soldiership - referring to the time when she "buckled on Sergius' sword" - meaning she swooned when she dressed in all his soldierly uniform and looked so smart and handsome. She wondered whether he would really be so glorious when he fought in battle.
        She has these fears particularly about Sergius, but she believes that reality is far removed from such heroism and soldiership.

CLASS XII AATM WKBK PGS 161 TO 163

24 (i) : 'That Swiss' whom Catherine is referring to in the extract is the Swiss referred to by Sergius and Paul when they were comparing service in the army to a trade. Sergius asked Paul to remember that "bagman of a captain that settled the exchange of prisoners with us at Pirot". Paul remembers him as that "Swiss fellow" who "over-reached us about the horses". They go further to tell Catherine and Raina that that Swiss was a mercenary in the Serbian army; the only Swiss they had come across in the war; a man who had been given refuge from the Bulgarian soldiers by two Bulgarian women in whose home he had taken refuge. Both the women had been "taken in" by his "commercial traveller's manners" and had disguised him and sent him away in the coat of the master of the house.

(ii) : Catherine is talking about the story of the Swiss person told by Sergius to the Catherine and Raina who had proved that he was a "commercial traveller in uniform" by "overreaching Paul and himself in the deal following the peace treaty at Pirot. That Swiss had told them of how he was in the very regiment that Sergius had routed that he had run away like the others in that Serb regiment. To escape the pursuing Bulgarian soldiers he had climbed a water pipe of a house and got into the bedroom of a young Bulgarian lady. The lady was "enchanted" with him and had been "entertained" by him for an hour or so. She had then informed her mother who was "equally fascinated" by the Swiss. He was disguised in the coat of the "master of the house" who was at the war.
          Catherine had heard the story from Sergius.

(iii) : Raina's father had asked for his "old coat" in which he used to feel very much "at home" - the same coat which the two ladies in Sergius' story had had their Swiss fugitive disguised in.
          The "Swiss" fugitive - the mercenary to the Serbian army, who had sought and been given refuge from Raina - 'The Man', 'the chocolate cream soldier', 'the poor darling' had been sent away in that coat.

(iv) : 'the little beast' that Raina is talking about is the very same "Swiss' who had been given refuge by Raina, whom Raina had given her last chocolate creams to and whom she had saved.
          Raina calls him 'the little beast' as she is annoyed with him at having broadcast the story of his escape from Bulgarian soldiers after his defeat at Slivnitza. The phrase expresses some annoyance but also some affection.

(v) : Raina says that she will fill the beast's mouth with chocolate creams - referring to the chocolate creams he had ravenously stuffed his mouth with because he was so famished when he had sought refuge in Raina's room. Those were the last of Raina's chocolate creams at that time. At this moment of time she wishes she had more of those chocolate creams so that he would fill his moth with them rather than betraying her care for him and revealing their secret of his refuge to everyone.
        It reveals that though Raina may be a bit upset with the man because the story of his seeking refuge in her room had been shared with precisely the persons she least wanted to hear it, she has affection for him - almost the affection one would have for a naughty child.

(vi) : 'The man' - the Swiss mercenary fighting with the Serbian army - in the very same regiment that Sergius had defeated, had sought refuge in Raina's room from the pursuing Bulgarian soldiers who wanted his life. According to Sergius account of the event he had stayed for an hour or so. Raina had told her mother about it after 'The man' had told her that it would be better to inform her mother of his presence as it would be very awkward if he were found in her room. Sergius' account agrees with what we saw and heard in Act 1.
         Yes, she did tell her mother about it. However, in the passage following this quotation we realise that Raina probably told her mother that the man had climbed into her room after the Russian officer had searched her room. Actually, the man had hidden in her room behind the curtain and rain had protected him from discovery.