George Bernard Shaw’s Arms and the Man: Literary and Military Critique

Abstract

This study examines the impact of George Bernard Shaw’s Arms and the Man on readers’ perceptions of war and military figures, evaluating whether the playwright's ideas are based on personal experience or mere artistic construction. The research employs a descriptive-analytical methodology and utilizes interviews with eight university professors specializing in literature in Khartoum State. The study employs SPSS for data analysis, revealing that literary works significantly influence readers’ perceptions of societal groups, including the military. The findings indicate that Shaw's portrayal of soldiers, particularly his assertion that "nine out of ten soldiers are born fools," lacks an empirical foundation and may contribute to biased perceptions. This research contributes to literary criticism by challenging unverified literary representations and emphasizing the need for historical and experiential accuracy in dramatic works.