Factors That Can Be Protective Against Ptsd - 1751 Words

What is meant by the term ‘’resilience’’ with regard to response to stressful events? One resilience factor is ‘hardiness’, discuss how this factor can be protective against PTSD. Stress is a widely studied phenomenon, as stress is an experience that every individual go through in their everyday lives. According to Baum (1990), stress can be defined as a â€Å"negative emotional experience accompanied by predicable biochemical, physiological and behavioural changes that are directed towards adaption either by manipulating the situation to alter the stressor or by accommodating its effects.† Everybody is affected by stressful events in different ways, some are better at coping than others, this is because everyone is individually different. This is where resilience to stressful events comes into place. Resilience helps to explain the ability to adapt in the face of tragedy, hardship, trauma, adversity and a continuation of significant life stressors. Bonanno (2002).There are many factors that influence people’s resilience to these life events, for example personality traits, optimism, lows of control, hardiness and social support. In this essay th ere will be a focus on hardiness as it is a main factor for overcoming mental illness. Especially for PTSD which is heavily influenced by stressful life experiences. Stress has a big impact on people’s mental and physical health, the way in which people cope with stress can protect them from illness. Throughout life, people are facedShow MoreRelatedAssessment And Treatment Of Combat Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Essay1598 Words   |  7 Pagesdisabling trauma. The purpose of this literature review is to address the issue of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), address the symptoms linked to PTSD, and the methods used in the assessment of posttraumatic stress disorder with emphasis on military combat-related PTSD. In addition, the literature review will identify the interventions by social work, if any, when addressing PTSD and the role social workers may play when assisting those with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder. AssessmentRead MorePrescription Drug Use And Drug Abuse1691 Words   |  7 Pagesongoing problem in rural teens. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health suggests that 13% of teens between the ages of 12-17 have experimented with nonmedical prescription drugs at some point in their lives. Researchers have identified several factors linked with nonmedical prescription drug use such as their school enrollment status, history of depression, and a two parent household presence (Gever, 2010). Nonmedical prescription drug abuse has been the rise, in small towns such as in West VirginiaRead MoreThe Protective Nature Towards Post Traumatic Stress Disorder1819 Words   |  8 Pages2004). There are several factors that influence people’s resilience to stress and knowledge of these factors improves the ability to improve people’s resilience. These factors include personality traits, optimism, Locus of Control, social support and finally, hardiness. Hardiness will be discussed in relation to its protective nature towards Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. As stated previously, there are differences between people in their resilience to stress. One factor influencing this is personalityRead MoreLack Of Familiarity Between Teachers And Students1320 Words   |  6 PagesProblems exist in a variety of ways because they are subject to a multitude of factors that alter the course of action necessary to develop a solution. Often times, problem solving strategies focus on efficiency so that the effect of variables is minimized. There exists a personal approach to resolving problems, one in which the individual uses their experiences as the primary mechanism towards finding a solution. Cathy Davidson advocates for a deeper connection between teachers and students withRead MoreThe Correlation Between Domestic Violence And Post Traumatic Stress Disorder1182 Words   |  5 Pageschronic exposure to abuse. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (2014), 1.3 million women are subjected to this devastating situation. â€Å"N o such global estimate was applicable for men† (Trevillion, Oram, Feder, Howard, 2012). Stated by (Trevillion, Oram, Feder, Howard, 2012) that prolonged duration of an abusive relationship marks the onset and duration of mental disorders such as Post-traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD. Women affected by continuous abuse by their partner areRead MoreThe Impact Of Social Support In Women1328 Words   |  6 Pagesheightened risk for developing PTSD and higher PTSD severity (Charuvastra Cloitre, 2008). This puts social support in the category of a protective factor when it is positive and a risk factor when it is negative. Weiss et al., (2015) found that SM women had higher rates of PTSD diagnosis. Low or negative social support as well as SM status were significantly associated with suicidality, low-self perceptions, among other functional impairments. Suicidality is a symptom of depression that is markedRead MorePost Traumatic Stress Disorder ( Ptsd ) Essay1162 Words   |  5 PagesGroups, and PTSD In 1980, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD,) was officially categorized as a mental disorder even though after three decades it is still seen as controversial. The controversy is mainly founded around the relationship between post-traumatic stress (PTS) and politics. The author believes that a group level analysis will assist in understanding the contradictory positions in the debate of whether or not PTSD is a true disorder. The literature regarding this topic can be dividedRead MoreResilience and Vulnerability Among Children Essay2517 Words   |  11 Pagesstressful life events are the trigger here, why is it that some children are far more vulnerable, yet others are more resilient? The three studies discussed in this paper will attempt to explain why these differences occur and what can we do to enhance protective factors. An easy way to conceptualize the term resilient is defined by Berger (2008). Berger (2008) refers to resilience â€Å"as the capacity to adapt well to significant adversity and to overcome serious stress†. According to Berger (2008)Read MoreNature Of Symptoms And Diagnosis1694 Words   |  7 Pagestrauma and the symptoms that occur within a minimum of 1 month following the trauma. The person must show symptoms of re-experiencing, avoidance, alteration of mood and cognitions, and hyperarousal. Distress or impairment must also be present with PTSD. Teddy’s time served in World War II was his traumatic experience. Specifically the incidence when he was walking thought the concentration camp and saw the dead mother holding her child. He demonstrates re-experiencing by his recurrent flashbacksRead MoreHow Self Regulation Impacts Resilience1378 Words   |  6 PagesGeneral These papers were chosen as they provide insight into how self-regulation impacts resilience. As resilience is a broad topic, these papers provide insight into self-regulation can benefit a variety of areas including neurological, epidemiological and how they can be implemented in therapeutic real-world interventions. Socioeconomic Status Buckner, J. C., Mezzacappa, E., Beardslee, W. R. (2003). Characteristics of resilient youths living in poverty: The role of self-regulatory processes

Christmas in Italy Traditional Recipes

For many Italians and those of Italian descent, the delight of gathering around a bountiful, beautifully laid table, the thrill of indulging in unforgettable regional dishes, and the convivial holiday atmosphere are enough to inspire the greatest of culinary feats. During the Christmas holidays fanciful specialties claim a place of honor at the table. These are traditional dishes that add a festive note to seasonal menus. Typical Italian Christmas dishes include baccalà   (salted dried cod fish), vermicelli,  baked pasta, capon and turkey. Traditional Christmas Eve Dinner, which includes seven types of fish (or nine, eleven, or thirteen, depending on the town of origin), is known as  Ã‚  in southern towns and includes  drowned broccoli rabe  (also known as Christmas Broccoli),  roasted or fried eel, and  caponata di pesce  (fish salad) to complete the main course. Traditional sweets (i dolci) are also important items for the  Menà ¹ di Natale  (Christmas menu) in Italy. Many of them originated in convents, where the nuns made special types of sweets to mark major religious holidays such as Christmas, presenting them as gifts to eminent prelates and to the noble families from which their mothers superior came. Every convent made a particular kind of sweet. These desserts include:  Ã‚  (Neapolitan honey pastry);  Ã‚  (fried pastry ribbons sprinkled with powered sugar); dried figs, candied almonds, chestnuts, and marzipan fruits and vegetables. Not to be missed are the sweet breads:  panforte  (a specialty of Siena),  pandolce  (a specialty of Genoa), and  panettone. A traditional Milanese Christmas bread, the legend goes that panettone originated in the sixteenth century, when a baker named Antonio fell in love with a princess and baked a golden, buttery egg bread to win her heart. Over the years the name of the bread evolved into  panettone  (from  pane, for bread), and in the nineteenth century, with the unification of Italy, the bread was embellished with candied red cherries and green citron as a patriotic gesture. New Years Day and the Feast of the Epiphany Italians are renowned for their culinary traditions, and so Christmas Eve and Christmas are not the only times during the winter holiday that special meals are served. On New Years Eve there is the  feast of San Silvestro, and to complete the culinary largesse is  La Befana Dinner, or Feast of the Epiphany. And what could be more appropriate than a glass of sparkling  Prosecco  to ring in the New Year? Produced in the Veneto region, the superb dessert wine is perfect for the holidays and other celebrations. Traditional Italian Christmas Recipes Here are three recipes for traditional food served during the Christmas season: Cicerata   Printer–Friendly VersionHoney-soaked  cicerata, so named because the bits of dough are shaped to resemble chickpeas (ceci  in Italian), is a sweet dessert thats served during the Christmas holidays. 6 egg whites5 ¾ cups unbleached all-purpose flour12 egg yolks ¼ teaspoon salt2 ¾ cups extra-virgin olive oil ¾ cup anise liqueur ¼ cup sugar1 cup slivered almonds, toasted1 cup finely diced candied fruitjuice of 8 oranges3 cups honeyzest of 4 oranges, julienned ¼ cup colored sprinkles Make the dough: Whip the egg whites until soft peaks hold. Place the flour in the bowl of an electric mixer; work in the egg yolks, salt,  ¾ cup of the olive oil, anise liqueur, and sugar. Gently fold in the egg whites with a wooden spoon; the dough should be soft and elastic. If it is too dry, add more liqueur; if it is too wet, add more flour. Snip into chickpea-sized pieces and roll into tiny spheres. Heat the remaining olive oil until it registers 325 degrees on a thermometer; fry the bits of dough until golden. Remove with a slotted spoon and blot dry on paper towels; arrange on 8 plates, and top with the slivered almonds and candied fruit. Heat the orange juice in a saucepan; stir in the honey and heat through. Fold in the julienned orange zest. Pour the sauce over each portion, dust with the colored sprinkles, and cool to room temperature before serving.SERVES 8 New Years LentilsLenticchie Stufate di Capodanno   Printer–Friendly VersionLentils are traditionally eaten on New Years Day in Italy as a symbol of good luck and prosperity; their round shape, reminiscent of coins, is supposed to ensure riches for the coming year. The accompaniment of choice for lentils is  cotechino, a mild-tasting, slow-cooked pork sausage.  ½ pound lentils2 rosemary sprigs2 garlic cloves, peeled1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil1 cup vegetable broth, plus extra if neededsalt and pepper1 tablespoon tomato paste Soak the lentils for 1 hour in cold water to cover. Drain; place in a 2-quart pot and cover with cool water, then add 1 sprig of rosemary together with 1 clove of garlic. Bring to a gentle boil, and simmer for 15 minutes. Drain, discarding the rosemary and garlic clove. Mince the remaining garlic. Heat the olive oil in the same pot; add the remaining rosemary and garlic; cool until aromatic, about 1 minute over low heat. Add the lentils, broth, salt, pepper, and tomato paste. Stir well. Cook until the lentils are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 20 minutes, adding a little more broth if needed. Adjust the seasoning and serve hot.  SERVES 6 Biscotti Printer–Friendly VersionThese twice-baked (biscottare  means to bake twice) biscuits are terrific dunked in Vin Santo, Tuscanys traditional sweet wine. 3 eggs1 cup sugar ¾ cup vegetable oil2 teaspoons anise seed3 cups flour2 teaspoons baking soda ½ teaspoon salt1 cup chopped almonds or walnuts Beat eggs until thick and lemon-colored. Gradually add sugar and beat. Add vegetable oil. Lightly crush anise seed with mortar and pestle. Add to egg mixture. Sift together flour, baking soda and salt. Gradually add to egg mixture. Beat until smooth. Add almonds or walnuts. Turn out onto lightly floured board and shape into flat loaves about  ¼-inch thick and 2 ½ inches wide, the length of the baking sheet. Place on greased baking sheets, bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Remove from oven; cool 2 minutes and slice into  ¾-inch pieces. Lay pieces cut sides down on baking sheets. Bake again at 375 degrees for 10 minutes or just until golden brown. Remove to wire racks to cool. Makes 4 Dozen

BAY OF PIGS Essay - 2837 Words

BAY OF PIGS It seems that the United States has been one of the most dominant, if not the most dominant, countries in the world, since the Declaration of Independence. Yet, on Monday, April 17, 1961, our government experienced incredible criticism and extreme embarrassment when Fidel Castro, dictator of Cuba, instantly stopped an invasion on the Cuban beach known as the Bay of Pigs. President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, his advisors, and many Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officials, made the largest error of their political careers. Once the decision was made to invade Cuba, to end Castro and his Communist government, Kennedy and his administration were never looked at in the same light nor trusted again. Russian leader Nikita†¦show more content†¦As Kennedy viewed everything happening politically in Cuba, he began to think of what America could do to help. Former President Lyndon B. Johnson attended many of the meetings and helped advise Kennedy in these conferences. After a meeting w ith Kennedy in early March in 1961, Johnson told news reporters, â€Å"We don’t intend to sit here in our rocking chair with our hands folded and let the Communism set up any government in the Western Hemisphere† (If U.S. 47). U.S. Senator William Fullbright of Arkansas was concerned over newspaper stories that predicted an invasion on Cuba (Schlesinger 251). If anyone in Cuba expected an attack, it would ruin the surprise attack, and the mission would have less chance for success. Fullbright wanted to let Cuba solve their problems, as long everything was contained in only Cuba (252). William Fullbright advised Kennedy and other U.S. leaders, â€Å"The Castro regime is a thorn in the flesh; but it is not a dagger in the heart† (252). Fullbright admitted to the fact that there was a problem in Cuba, but he did not view Communism as a big problem. Meetings continued through March and April, and the American people wanted to know if anything was going to be done. O n April 8, Kennedy stated in a news conference, â€Å"There will not, under any circumstances, be an intervention in Cuba by U.S. armed forces† (Flaherty 94). President Kennedy did not want the AmericanShow MoreRelatedBay of Pigs1627 Words   |  7 Pages In this paper, I will do a case study on the Bay of Pigs and why the United States tried to conduct this attack. I will find out what intelligence led to this invasion attempt as well as what intelligence failures were made which resulted in the failure of the invasion. I will discuss what impact the Bay of Pigs had on the United States Intelligence community and what changes was made. I will end this paper with any findings I have concluded to if the failure has any affect on how the U.S. conductsRead MoreThe Bay Of Pigs1217 Words   |  5 PagesThe Bay of Pigs was an attempted invasion that occurred on the south coast of Cuba. While researching this occurrence, it seems that it was a failed attempt to invade communis t Cuba. This invasion was to overthrow the communist leader, Fidel Castro, had power in office until the year 2008. The main reason for the failure, many believe, is because of the Central Intelligence Agency, under the power of the young President John F. Kennedy (Bay of Pigs 378). The purpose of this research paper is to reviewRead MoreBay of Pigs and Realism1563 Words   |  7 PagesA Perfect Disaster: The Bay of Pigs Invasion and Realism D-Day, April 17, 1960; Brigade 2506 lands in the Bay of Pigs, a small beach in southern Cuba. Backed by former president Dwight Eisenhower, endorsed by current president John F. Kennedy, and masterminded by the Central Intelligence Agency, the plan to overthrow Fidel Castro, Prime Minister of Cuba, had been months in the making (Dunne 1). By the summer of 1959, as former Cuban leader Fulgencio Batista was overtaken by Castro, charges of communistRead MoreBattle Of The Bay Of Pigs1970 Words   |  8 PagesBattle of the Bay of Pigs The purpose of this paper is to provide battle analysis and highlight the events before, during, and after the Bay of Pigs battle, as well as elaborate on the significance it held on American-Soviet relationships. The battle was not successful due to several intelligence failures and biases during the planning phase. If proper intelligence preparation of the battlefield were utilized, the outcome would have been in favor of the United States (US), with the alternate outcomeRead MoreThe Bay of Pigs Essay1441 Words   |  6 PagesThe Bay of Pigs â€Å"First, I want to say that there will not be, under any conditions, an intervention in Cuba by the United States Armed Forces. This government will do everything it possibly can, I think it can meet its responsibilities, to make sure that there are no Americans involved in any actions inside Cuba†¦ The basic issue in Cuba is not one between the United States and Cuba. It is between the Cubans themselves.† These words were spoken by President John F. Kennedy at a press conferenceRead MoreThe Bay Of Pigs Invasion1147 Words   |  5 PagesLouis Tullo Mrs. Forsyth U.S. History II 30 March 2016 Bay of Pigs Invasion Bays in pigs invasion is a cold war planned and fought by American president John F. Kennedy in an attempt to overthrow in early 1960’s. This came after Fidel Castro overthrew the then Cuban president Fulgencio Batista. The president was corrupt and had allies in the United States allowing the Americans to control the Cuban economy (Khan 21). The incoming Castro did the opposite by disapproving the Americans and resistedRead MoreThe Bay Of Pigs Invasion1392 Words   |  6 PagesChapter 1 - The Bay of Pigs Invasion - 1961 Figure 1The above image is a primary source image of Fidel Castro (right) an infamous Cuban dictator, and Che Guevara who played a number of key roles within the Cuban government. This photo was taken in 1961, during which the Bay of Pigs Invasion took place. The photo was taken by Alberto Korda, a Cuban photographer. This photo allows us to peer into the past and see Castro presumably leading Cuban troops. There is a large possibility of bias when consideringRead MoreThe Bay Of Pigs Invasion1652 Words   |  7 PagesThe purpose of the Bay of Pigs Invasion was to overthrow Fidel Castro as leader of Cuba and help stabilize the Cuban government. Fidel Castro started the MR-26-7, an anti-Batista group. At the time, Batista was the so called president and he claimed to be running a disciplined democracy.The people saw this as a dictatorship takeover. Castro ran the group as a clandestine cell system with ten members in each cell and they did not know the whereabouts or activities of the other cells. He was buildingRead MoreThe Bay Of Pigs Invasion2240 Words   |  9 Pagesthey cannot change the law of nature and they know it.† stated Allen Dulles, the fifth director of the Central Intelligence Agency. The Bay of Pigs Invasion was an encounter that occurred on April 17, 1961, between Cuban exiles, armed and trained by the American Central Intelligence Agency and the military forces of Fidel Castro. With the failure of the Bay of Pigs invasion the United States found itself more involved in the Cold War and experienced a new era in the military, political, and intelligenceRead MoreThe Bay Of Pigs Invasion1108 Words   |  5 PagesThe Bay of Pigs is an inlet of the Gulf of Cazones located approximately 97 miles southeast of Havana (Capital of Cuba). The Bay of Pigs Invasion is one of the United States biggest invasion fails in history. The invasion was meant to overthrow communist Cuba and bring Fidel Castro’s power to an end. This was obviously a fail , because as we now know, Fidel had been in power until 2008, and now his brother Raul Castro is the president. The blame for this fail is on the Central Intelligence Agency

Arms and the Man is one of George Bernard Shaws successfully written plays that have become predominant and globally renowned Essay Example For Students

Arms and the Man is one of George Bernard Shaws successfully written plays that have become predominant and globally renowned Essay Arms and the Man is one of George Bernard Shaws successfully written plays that have become predominant and globally renowned. Shaws play leads itself to two themes that people can relate to, which are the importance of war and the essentials to true love and marriage. These themes are interwoven, for Shaw believed that while war is evil and stupid, and marriage desirable and good, both had become wrapped in romantic illusions which led to disastrous wars and also to unhappy marriages. 1 The theme of war applies itself into the plot within the first few pages of the melodrama, when the Bulgarians are at war with the Serbs. Romance is portrayed by the humorous and ironic relationships of Raina, Sergius and Bluntschli. Unfortunately, due to societys lack of comprehension and failing to learn from our past errors, we are destined to repeat the majority of them. Another act of ignorance found in this play is the attitude of the Petkoffs towards their material advantages and their possessions of wealth, bringing them personal superiority. Arms and the Man is as fresh and up-to-date today as when Shaw first produced his play in 1894. 2 War is an unfortunate condition that exists when a group feels its vital interests are at stake and seeks to impose its beliefs or control on a rival group through the use of overt force. Shaw was a socialist and an ardent pacifist. 3 He did not agree to the idea of war, and he wrote about it to warn us, future generations, not to commit the same crime. The romantic view of war he held is based on the idealistic notation that men fight because they are heroes, and that the soldier who takes the biggest risks wins the greatest glory and is the greatest hero. 4 Raina had imagined war as an exciting sport; after talking with Captain Bluntschli, one of the defeated, she now sees it as a dreadful reality. 5 Sergius, too, has learned something of the realities of war, and is so disgusted by them that he has sent in his resignation, saying Soldieringà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦is the cowards art of attacking mercilessly when you are strong, and keeping out of harms way when you are week. 6 This theme of war helps Shaws Arms and the Man to continue as a fresh and current play, as it was in 1894. The battle of Slivnica was remarkable mainly for its surprise ending wherein the Bulgarians defeated the invading Serbians much more by good luck than good management, and went to ally themselves with Austrian Hungary thereby bringing World War I one small step closer. 7 Many other wars have taken place since then, and yet man has still to learn that war is not the answer. The romance in the play is portrayed by the humorous and ironic relationships of Raina, Sergius and Bluntschli. In Arms and the Man Raina Petkoff intends, at the time the play opens, to become the wife of Major  Sergius Saranoff, who is then away fighting the Serbs. News has come home to Raina and her mother that Sergius has ridden bravely at the head of a victorious cavalry charge, and Raina rejoices because she can now believe that her affianced is just as splendid and noble as he looks! That the world is really a glorious world for woman who can see its glory and men who can act its romance! In the opening scene of the play, after adoring Sergius portrait, Raina goes to bed murmuring My hero! My hero! This is a romantic view of life, but then reality suddenly breaks in upon her. .ud93e8233bfb481297cb4c658dfd7a306 , .ud93e8233bfb481297cb4c658dfd7a306 .postImageUrl , .ud93e8233bfb481297cb4c658dfd7a306 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ud93e8233bfb481297cb4c658dfd7a306 , .ud93e8233bfb481297cb4c658dfd7a306:hover , .ud93e8233bfb481297cb4c658dfd7a306:visited , .ud93e8233bfb481297cb4c658dfd7a306:active { border:0!important; } .ud93e8233bfb481297cb4c658dfd7a306 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ud93e8233bfb481297cb4c658dfd7a306 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ud93e8233bfb481297cb4c658dfd7a306:active , .ud93e8233bfb481297cb4c658dfd7a306:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ud93e8233bfb481297cb4c658dfd7a306 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ud93e8233bfb481297cb4c658dfd7a306 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ud93e8233bfb481297cb4c658dfd7a306 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ud93e8233bfb481297cb4c658dfd7a306 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ud93e8233bfb481297cb4c658dfd7a306:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ud93e8233bfb481297cb4c658dfd7a306 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ud93e8233bfb481297cb4c658dfd7a306 .ud93e8233bfb481297cb4c658dfd7a306-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ud93e8233bfb481297cb4c658dfd7a306:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Cannibalism the Last Taboo Essay8 An enemy solider, Captain Bluntschli the chocolate-cream soldier, escaping from gunfire in the Bulgarian countryside, scales the balcony of a mountain estate and lands in the bedroom of a young woman whose father and fiancÃÆ' © are fighting on the front. He is desperate through exhaustion and fear, and Raina sneers at him. Nevertheless, when the pursuers come to search the house, Raina hides the fugitive and denies having seen him. She also feeds him chocolates, they are his passion; he carries them à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" like all professional soldiers, he says à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" into war instead of bullets. Bluntschli is Shaws affectionate parody of a Swiss pragmatist, level-headed and unemotional. It amuses Shaw to discombobulate him by placing him, initially, in a situation where his reasonableness cannot help him much. Raina no longer thinks of war as a romantic game, nor does she any longer think of marriage as the mating of a beautiful heroine and a ornamental and fickle Sergius. She takes as her husband the plain Bluntschli, whose common sense and six hotels in Switzerland will give her stability and comfort. The realities of love and marriage become one of the most frequent themes in Shaws plays throughout the remainder of his long life. 9 The complexities of love and marriage has not changed much over the years. For example, love and relationships were just as obscure in 1894 as they are in 1998. This makes Shaws play recent and the issues it deals with are understandable. Shaw believed that it was foolish to act as though the possession of wealth, or any other material advantages, is a sign of personal superiority. People may not any longer think it impressive to have an electric bell in the house, but there are countries nowadays where families with television sets and motor cars feel just as stupidly proud as the Petkoffs did with their bell and library. 10 Many people world-wide today consider themselves above others and look down on those with less materialistic possessions, as if they were inferior. Having more materialistic possessions and wealth does not necessarily mean it will bring you happiness, this is not the reality of life at all. As a mater of fact, those with less materialistic treasures tend to live a happier and peaceful life. This is because their efforts are not concentrated on wealth but rather  on family and friends who support each other. Money and wealth can control a person to become greedy and require more. It is much better to live a life of harmony and peace, blessed for what to have, than to live worrying about the things that you do not have. That is a lesson Shaw is trying to teach us. We should learn from the Petkoffs and acquire a better attitude towards life and its materialistic treasures. If history repeats itself, and the unexpected always happens, how incapable must Man be of learning from experience? à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" George Bernard Shaw. Furthermore, Arms and the Man is as fresh and up-to-date today as when Shaw first produced his play in 1894. Shaws play leads itself to two themes that people can relate to, which are the importance of war and the essentials to true love and marriage. The theme of war applies itself into the plot within the first few pages of the play, when the Bulgarians are at war with the Serbs. Romance is portrayed by the humorous and ironic relationships of Raina, Sergius and Bluntschli. Shaw believed that it was foolish to act as though the possession of wealth, or any other material advantages, is a sign of personal superiority. Moreover, Arms and the Man is a successful play and will continue to prosper due to the nature of its themes, war and romance being contemporary with todays society. Perhaps Shaws best ability might have been his ability to attract attention to himself, his ideas, and his works. This ability never failed him.