# Raina Petkoff — Arms and the Man character guide

> Raina Petkoff in Arms and the Man by George Bernard Shaw.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Raina, Miss Raina, Raina Breathless, Raina Severely, Raina Rising, Raina Pleased, Raina Bitterly, Raina Hurrying, Raina Interrupting, Raina Hm, Raina Pretending, Raina Wincing, Raina Gratitude, Raina Riling

**First appearance:** 0001-arms-and-the-man

## Snapshot

A romantic Bulgarian daughter who worships her cavalry hero from a portrait by candlelight, until a mud-caked fugitive drops through her shutters and asks for chocolate.

## Who they are

Raina lives inside her own operatic imagination, adoring Sergius's portrait like a priestess and reading herself to sleep on Byron and Pushkin. When a hunted Swiss soldier climbs through her window, she hides him and lies for him, discovering that her beautiful ideals cost something real. Her struggle between noble self-image and plain truth drives the play's central comedy of disillusion.

## Relationships

### [Captain Bluntschli](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters/captain_bluntschli)

_romantic_

A pragmatic Swiss soldier and a romantic Bulgarian woman who initially clash but develop a deep, honest affection that overcomes her illusions.

### [Sergius Saranoff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters/sergius_saranoff)

_romantic_

Engaged couple whose relationship is based on romantic ideals and social expectations, but ultimately fades as Raina's true feelings shift to Bluntschli.

### [Louka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters/louka)

_professional_

Louka is the Petkoff family's maid, serving Raina with a mixture of deference and quiet defiance, often challenging Raina's social superiority.

### [Nicola](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters/nicola)

_professional_

Nicola is the Petkoff family's loyal and shrewd manservant, serving Raina with respectful efficiency while managing household affairs.

### [Catherine Petkoff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters/catherine_petkoff)

_family_

Mother and daughter; Catherine is protective and socially ambitious for Raina, but also manipulative in managing her daughter's romantic prospects.

### [The Serbians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters/the_serbians)

_psychological_

Raina views the Serbians as a vague, romanticized enemy, but her encounter with Bluntschli shatters her idealized notions of war and nationality.

### [Paul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters/paul)

_family_

Father and daughter; Major Petkoff dotes on Raina but is often absent-minded and easily manipulated by her and Catherine.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters/raina_petkoff
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arms_and_the_man_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arms_and_the_man_se/characters