What did the peddler sell and how did he make those things ?
The peddler used to sell small rattraps. He made them of wire. He used to get the material by begging in the stores or at the big farms..
Why was the peddler given to begging and petty thievery ?
The peddler used to sell small rattraps. But his business was not profitable. It was difficult for him to keep his body and soul together. So he often indulged in begging and petty thievery.
From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap ?
While plodding through his way, the man kept thinking of his rattraps. Suddenly one day an idea came to him. He thought the whole world was also like a big rattrap. Some had already been caught in the snare and the others were still circling round the bait.
Why was the peddler amused at the idea of the world being a rattrap ?
(Or)
Why did the peddler derive pleasure from his idea of the world being a rattrap ?
The peddler liked his idea very much. The world had never been very kind to him. So it gave him great joy to think ill of it. It became a pastime with him to think of the world as a rattrap.
Why was the peddler surprised when he knocked at the door of the cottage ?
When the peddler knocked on the door of the cottage, an old man opened the door. The peddler feared he would get an angry frown. But he was surprised when the old cottage-owner not only expressed happiness to receive him, but also served him a nice supper.
How was the peddler received by the old crofter ?
(Or)
How did the crofter entertain the peddler ?
The old crofter was happy to receive the peddler in his cottage. He at once put the porridge pot on the fire and gave him supper. He gave him a roll of tobacco for his pipe. He also played a game of cards with him.
The crofter can be called as a ‘good host’. Why ?
(Or)
What hospitality did the peddler receive from the crofter?
The crofter welcomes the tramp into his cottage. He at once arranges hot supper for him. He gives him a roll of tobacco to smoke. He also plays a game of cards with him. All this shows that the crofter was a good host.
Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter ?
The peddler was often not welcomed anywhere. He was always chased away. It was only sour looks that greeted him. But the old crofter showed him unusual generosity. It was something unexpected for the peddler.
Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler ?
(Or)
What do we learn about the crofter’s nature from the story, ‘The Rattrap’ ?
The crofter was a lonely person. He was without wife or child. He was happy to have someone in his loneliness. He was happy that he had someone to talk to. That was why he was so talkative and friendly with the peddler.
What confidences did the crofter share with the peddler ?
The crofter told the peddler that in his days of prosperity, he worked on the land of Ramsjo Ironworks. But now he had only a cow to support him. The cow gave milk for the creamery every day. The previous month, he had received thirty kronor in payment. He even showed this money to the peddler.
Why did the crofter show his thirty kronor to the peddler ?
The crofter told the peddler that his bossy (cow) was extraordinary. She gave milk for the creamery every day. And last month, he had received thirty kronor in payment. The crofter felt that the peddler did not believe what he said. That was why he showed him his thirty kronor.
How did the peddler rob the poor crofter ?
The peddler knew where the crofter had kept his thirty kronor. As soon as the crofter left his cottage, the peddler came back. He smashed a windowpane and removed the money from the leather pouch.
Why did the peddler think that the world was a rattrap ?
The material things are like bait by which we are ensnared in this cage of the world. That is why all of us get trapped in the rat race for material things. The peddler thinks of the world as a rattrap. Some have already been caught in the snare while others are still circling around the bait.
Why did the peddler take his way through the forest ?
The peddler had the crofter’s stolen money in his pocket. He was afraid that he would be chased and caught if he went by the highway. That was why he took his way through the forest.
What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap ?
In order to escape being caught, the peddler had walked into a confusing forest. But now he could find no way out. He walked and walked and was tired to death. At once the thought of the world being a rattrap came to his mind. He thought that now his own turn had come.
How did the peddler reach the Ramsjo Ironworks ?
The peddler had lost all hope of getting out of the forest. He felt he was going to die. Just then, he heard the regular thumping of a heavy hammer. He at once got up and followed the direction of the sound. Thus he reached the forgery.
Who was the owner of Ramsjo iron mill ? Why did he visit the mill at night ?
The owner of the Ramsjo iron mill was a very prominent ironmaster. His greatest ambition was to ship out good iron to the market. Therefore, he watched both night and day to see that the work was done well.
Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home ?
(Or)
How did the ironmaster react on seeing the stranger lying close to the furnace ?
The ironmaster had taken the peddler for an old regimental acquaintance. He was moved to pity over his miserable condition. It was Christmas Eve and he wanted to be nice to a poor hungry man. So he invited him to his home.
How did the peddler react when he saw that the ironmaster had mistaken him for Nils Olof, an old regimental comrade ?
(Or)
Why didn’t the stranger tell the ironmaster that he was not Nils Olof ?
The peddler did not want to undeceive the fine gentleman who had taken him for an old acquaintance. He thought that the man might help him with a little money. However, he was feeling nervous also because of the thirty stolen kronor in his pocket. Therefore, he did not disclose his real identity.
What did the ironmaster tell the peddler about his own family ?
The ironmaster told the peddler that his wife Elizabeth was already dead. His sons were living abroad. And there was no one at his home except his oldest daughter and himself.
Did the stranger agree to go to the ironmaster’s house ? Why or why not ?
Yes, the stranger agreed to go to the ironmaster’s house, but it was not at the ironmaster’s invitation. He agreed because the ironmaster’s daughter, Edla, showed true compassion for him and won his confidence.
Why did the peddler decline the ironmaster’s invitation to come to his home ?
The peddler was feeling embarrassed. He had the crofter’s stolen money in his pocket. He thought that by going to the manor house, he would be throwing himself into the lion’s den. That was why he declined the invitation again and again.
What made the peddler accept Edla’s invitation ? How did he feel ?
The girl seemed full of true compassion for the peddler. Her manner was very friendly. She understood the peddler’s feelings. She told him that he would be free to leave the place whenever he liked. Thus she won the peddler’s confidence and he accepted her invitation.
What doubts did Edla have about the peddler ?
The peddler looked very embarrassed. From his looks and behaviour, Edla had some doubts. It seemed to her as if he had stolen something or else had escaped from jail. It also seemed to her that he could not have been an educated man.
When did the ironmaster realize his mistake ?
The ironmaster looked at the peddler in the broad light of the morning. Now he had been washed. His hair was cut, and he had been shaved. He was also well-dressed. Now the ironmaster could clearly see that the tramp was none of his old acquaintances. Thus he realised his mistake.
How did the peddler defend himself against not having revealed his true identity ?
The peddler said that he had shown himself only as a poor trader. He had never pretended to be a former captain. So it was none of his fault that he had been mistaken. He had even begged that he should be allowed to stay at the forge.
Why did Edla plead with her father not to send the vagabond away ?
Edla had thought of entertaining a poor hungry vagabond on Christmas Eve. She had made great preparations for it. She did not want to let away this joy all at once. So she pleaded with her father to let the vagabond stay with them for the Christmas Eve.
Why did Edla decide to entertain the peddler against the wishes of her father ?
Edla was a very noble-hearted girl. She was certain that the misunderstanding of his father was none of the peddler’s fault. She had planned to entertain a poor hungry man on the Christmas Eve. She had made great preparations for it. She did not want to let away this joy all at once.
Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler ?
Edla was deeply shaken when she heard at the church that the peddler was a thief. But after reading the letter and receiving her gift, she came to know what a gem the man really was. Naturally, she was very happy.
What did the peddler write in his letter to Edla ?
(Or)
What was the content of the letter written by the Peddler to Edla ?
The peddler wrote since they had been nice to him all day long, he wanted to be nice to them in return. He requested her to give back the money to the old man on the roadside. Giving them a rattrap as a present, he added that the rattrap is a Christmas present from a rat who would have been caught in the world’s rattrap if he had not been raised to captain.
Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von Stahle ?
It was as a captain that the peddler had been invited to the manor house. And though all the fact about him was out, he had been entertained there as a captain. And it was in this role that his conscience shook him and he escaped being caught into the world’s rattrap. That was why he signed himself as a captain.
Explain the metaphor of the rattrap in context of the story by Selma Lagerlöf.
The world has rightly been compared to a big rattrap. Rattraps have baits for rats. The rattrap of the world has baits of its own kind for men. As soon as anyone is tempted to touch the bait, the rattrap closes in on him. Then there is no escape.
How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter, the ironmaster and his daughter ?
The peddler enjoys the crofter’s kindness and hospitality. But he knows that the crofter is
being friendly with him to overcome his own loneliness. The crofter also seems to be a little naive.He speaks proudly of his bossy (cow). He even proudly displays the thirty kronor he has got as payment for the cow’s milk.
The ironmaster takes the peddler for an old regimental acquaintance. Seeing his miserable condition, he wants to take him home. He also wants to help him out of his misery. But when he realises his mistake, he at once orders him to get out of his house. However, he gives in when his daughter pleads for the poor hungry man.
The ironmaster’s daughter is the only person who shows real sympathy for the peddler. She serves him for no selfish reason. Her only motive is to make a poor hungry man feel at home on Christmas Eve.
What are the instances in the story that show that the character of the ironmaster is different from that of his daughter in many ways ?
(Or)
Compare and contrast the character of the ironmaster with that of his daughter.
(Or)
Give examples from the story, ‘The Rattrap’, to show how the ironmaster is different from his daughter.
There is a difference of poles between the ironmaster and his daughter. The ironmaster is a very practical person. He makes regular visits to his forgery to see that the work is done well. He sees a stranger there and takes him for an old regimental acquaintance. He offers to take him home for the night. He also wants to do something to help him out of his misery. But when he realises his mistake, he is awfully angry. He at once asks the peddler to get out of his house. But the ironmaster’s daughter is quite different. She sees that the peddler is in no way to blame. He never pretended to be a captain. It was only a mistake of her own father. The young girl sees the peddler only as a poor hungry man. Her only motive is to make him feel at home on Christmas. We can say that it is she who saves the peddler from being caught in the rattrap of the world.
Why did the ironmaster’s invitation to the peddler to spend Christmas Eve with him make him think that he was going to fall into a trap ?
The ironmaster takes the peddler for an old regimental acquaintance. He invites him to spend Christmas Eve with him at his home. But the peddler declines the offer. He fears that he would land himself in trouble if the ironmaster comes to know of his true identity. Moreover, he had the crofter’s stolen money in his pocket. And the crofter must be hunting for him. So the peddler wanted to get away from that place as soon as possible. By agreeing to spend the night with the ironmaster, he would just be throwing himself into the lion’s den. If once he was caught with the money in his pocket, there could be no escape for him. And then the ironmaster would also accuse him of cheating him. That was why the peddler thought that by accepting the ironmaster’s invitation, he was going to fall into a trap.
The peddler believed that the whole world is a rattrap. How did he himself get caught in the same ?
The peddler believed that the whole world was a rattrap. Some people were already caught in the trap while others were still circling round the bait, but one day, he himself gets trapped into it. One dark evening, the peddler took shelter with a lonely old man who lived in a little cottage by the roadside. The old man served him generously the whole night, but while leaving in the morning, the peddler stole the old man’s thirty kronor kept in a leather pouch. After stealing the money, the peddler felt quite pleased with his smartness. He was a petty thief and had done accordingly. Now he became worried about his own safety. He had the crofter’s stolen money in his pocket. He was afraid that he would be chased and caught if he went by the highway. So he took his way through a forest. During the first few hours, the forest caused him no difficulty. But later on, it became worse as it was a big and confusing forest. The forest closed in upon him like an impenetrable prison from which he could never escape. This new situation made him feel that he indeed had fallen into a rattrap. Thirty kronor seemed to him a bait that had trapped him. And now he was finding no way to get out of it.
How did the peddler feel after robbing the crofter ? What course did he adopt and how did he react to the new situation ? What does his reaction reveal ?
After stealing the crofter’s thirty kronor, the peddler felt quite pleased with his smartness. He didn’t have any feeling of guilt that he had betrayed the crofter’s confidence reposed in him. He was a petty thief and did accordingly. Now he became worried about his own safety. He had the crofter’s stolen money in his pocket. He was afraid that he would be chased and caught if he went by the highway. So he took his way through a forest. During the first few hours, the forest caused him no difficulty. But later on, it became worse as it was a big and confusing forest. The peddler kept on walking but did not come to the end of the forest. The forest closed in upon him like an impenetrable prison from which he could never escape. This new situation made him feel that he indeed had fallen into a rattrap. Thirty kronor seemed to him a bait that had trapped him. And now he was finding no way to get out of it. This view of life is true only of himself and no one else in the story. The peddler’s reaction to this situation highlights his sense of guilt and also his sense of repentance over it. It also shows that he is at heart a very conscientious person but has committed the guilt in a weak moment of his life.
The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to others’ behaviour. Pick out instances of these surprises.
The first person that the peddler meets in the story is the old crofter. The peddler is disliked and chased away wherever he goes. But the old crofter is happy to receive him in his little cottage. He serves him as best as he can. He talks to him in a very friendly manner. But the peddler robs the same crofter of his thirty kronor which seems very unexpected. Then the peddler meets the smiths at the Ramsjo Ironworks. Those people pay no attention to him. But when he asks their permission to stay there, they give him a haughty consent. Then there is the ironmaster. He mistakes the peddler for an old regimental acquaintance. He invites him to come to his home. But when he comes to know of his own mistake, he at once orders the peddler to leave his house. Thus the reactions of almost all characters in the story can be said to be unexpected. Only the ironmaster’s daughter seems to be an exception.
What made the peddler finally change his ways ?
We can say that it is the ironmaster’s daughter who proves an angel in the peddler’s life. When her father comes to know of his mistake, he at once orders the peddler to leave his home. But the daughter at once comes to his rescue. She says that it was none of the peddler’s fault. It was only a mistake. She makes her father give in. She tries her best to make the poor hungry man feel at home. Her kindness and sympathy transforms the peddler completely. While leaving, he leaves a small packet for her as a Christmas present. In it, there is a small rattrap, three wrinkled ten-krona notes and a letter. The letter says, “Since you have been nice to me all day long, I want to be nice to you, in return. .................. you can give back the money to the old man on the roadside ............... . The rattrap is a Christmas present from a rat who would have been caught in the world’s rattrap if he had not been raised to captain.”
How does the story, ‘The Rattrap’ show the redemptive power of love and compassion ?
The redemptive power of love and compassion is shown in this story when Edla’s kind treatment with the peddler has an ennobling effect on him. The peddler is an ungrateful person and a petty thief. But he is basically a nice fellow. In fact, the world has never been very kind to him. It makes him a petty thief. But the ironmaster’s daughter Edla proves an angel in his life. Much against her father’s wish, she tries her best to make the poor hungry man feel at home. She provides him good food and a nice place to sleep on. Her touch of kindness and sympathy transforms the peddler completely. The peddler’s real goodness comes to light when he leaves a packet for the ironmaster’s daughter as a Christmas present. The packet has in it a small rattrap, three wrinkled ten-krona notes and a letter. The letter says, “Since you have been so nice to me all day long, I want to be nice to you, in return. The rattrap is a Christmas present from a rat who would have been caught in this world’s rattrap if he had not been treated as a captain.” Thus we see how love and compassion can bring out the basic human goodness of a person.
How did the crofter tempt the peddler to steal his money ? How did it change the peddler’s life ?
The crofter lived alone. The peddler came to him asking for shelter for the night. He not only entertained the stranger with the best food, but also shared with him all his confidences. He even showed him the pouch in which he kept his savings. Thus he, in a way, tempted the peddler to steal away his money and the peddler did do the same. Now the peddler was afraid that he would be chased and caught. He tried to pass through a forest to avoid being caught. But he strayed in the forest. He however came out of the forest and again took shelter at the Ramsjo Ironworks. There the drunk ironmaster mistook him for an old friend and took him home. But the next day on realizing his mistake, he ordered him to get out. But his daughter took pity on him and requested his father’s permission to let the peddler stay there. She tried her best to make the poor hungry man feel at home. Her kindness, hospitality and sympathy transformed the peddler completely. Now he was a completely changed man.
Give instances from the chapter, ‘The Rattrap’ to show that most of its characters are victims of loneliness.
First of all, the peddler, the main character in this story, lives a life of loneliness. In this world, there is no one whom he can call his own. He earns his living by selling rattraps. To have the material for these rattraps, he resorts to begging and petty thieving. His poverty and loneliness has made him a sort of cynic. The second victim of loneliness in this story is the crofter who had given the peddler shelter in his cottage. The crofter is a lonely person. In his days of prosperity, he used to work on the land of Ramsjo Ironworks. When the peddlar came to his cottage for shelter, the crofter was happy to have someone with whom he could sit and talk in his loneliness. Then there is the ironmaster in the story. His wife Elizabeth was already dead. Now his sons were living abroad. He had now only his elder daughter who lived with him. His daughter Edla too has no companion. She feels delighted when the peddler comes to their house. She pleads with her father to let him stay with them for the Christmas Eve.
Describe how the story, ‘The Rattrap’, shows that basic human goodness can be brought out by understanding and love. (Or) Edla’s empathetic and compassionate behaviour changed the life of the rattrap seller. Do you think that an act of kindness can change a person’s view of the world ?
Kindness is a divine power which not only soothes a grieved soul, but also changes its attitude towards life and world. An act of kindness can change a person’s view of the world. To begin with, we see the peddler as an ungrateful person and a petty thief. The peddler is basically a nice fellow. But the world has never been very kind to him. It makes him a petty thief. But the ironmaster’s daughter proves an angel in his life. Much against her father’s wish, she tries her best to make the poor hungry man feel at home. She provides him good food and a nice place to sleep on. Her touch of kindness and sympathy transforms the peddler completely. The peddler’s real goodness comes to light when he leaves a packet for the ironmaster’s daughter as a Christmas present. The packet has in it a small rattrap, three wrinkled ten-krona notes and a letter. The letter says, “Since you have been so nice to me all day long, I want to be nice to you, in return. The rattrap is a Christmas present from a rat who would have been caught in this world’s rattrap if he had not been treated as a captain.” Thus we see how love and understanding can bring out the basic human goodness of a person.
The story, ‘The Rattrap’, focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond with others. Explain.
The peddler in this story lives a life of loneliness. He has no one in the world he can call his own. He makes his living by selling rattraps. To have the material for these rattraps, he resorts to begging and petty thieving. His loneliness and poverty have made him a sort of cynic. He thinks of the world as a rattrap in which everyone is sure to be caught sooner or later. He himself is one such rat. He robs the poor crofter who had given him food and shelter for the night. But a great change comes in the peddler when he feels a human bond with the ironmaster’s daughter. Her touch of kindness and sympathy transforms the peddler completely. He leaves a packet for the ironmaster’s daughter as a Christmas present. The packet has in it a small rattrap, three wrinkled ten-krona notes and a letter. The letter says, ‘‘Since you have been so nice to me all day long, I want to be nice to you, in return. The rattrap is a Christmas present from a rat who would have been caught in this world’s rattrap if he had not been treated as a captain.’’ Thus we see how loneliness embitters and demeans a person while human bonds of love and sympathy have an ennobling effect.
There is a saying, ‘Kindness pays, rudeness never’. In the story, ‘The Rattrap’, Edla’s attitude towards men and matters is different from her father’s attitude. How are the values of concern and compassion brought out in the story ?
Edla’s attitude towards men and matters is quite different from her father’s attitude. And it becomes clear when the peddler comes to her house. Her father, the ironmaster, takes the peddler for an old regimental acquaintance. He invites him to spend Christmas Eve with him at his home. But when he comes to know of his mistake, he at once orders the peddler to leave his home. Edla says that it was none of the peddler’s fault. And much against her father’s wish, she tries her best to make the poor hungry man feel at home. She provides the peddler good food and nice place to sleep on. Her touch of kindness and sympathy transforms the peddler completely. The peddler’s real goodness comes to light when he leaves a packet for the ironmaster’s daughter as a Christmas present. The packet has in it a small rattrap, three wrinkled ten-krona notes and a letter. The letter says, ‘‘Since you have been so nice to me all day long as if I was a captain, I want to be nice to you in return.......... The rattrap is a Christmas present from a rat who would have been caught in this world’s rattrap if he had not been treated as a captain.’’ Thus we see how compassion and concern can bring out the basic human goodness of a person.
The peddler declined the invitation of the ironmaster, but accepted the one from Edla. Why ?
The peddler felt that by accepting the ironmaster’s invitation, he would be throwing himself in the lion’s den. So he refused the invitation though the ironmaster pressed him again and again. But when Edla, the ironmaster’s daughter, came, she introduced herself in a most loving manner. She said, “My father came home and said that you wanted to sleep here in the forge tonight, and then I asked permission to come and bring you home to us. I am sorry, Captain, that you are having such a hard time.” The peddler was at once bowled over by these words of compassion and sympathy. She spoke to him in such a friendly and loving manner that all the doubts in the peddler’s mind vanished at once. He said, “It would have never occurred to me that you would bother with me yourself, miss. I will come at once.” Thus we see how it was through pure sympathy and compassion that the peddler accepted Edla’s invitation while he had refused that of her father.
Edla proved to be much more persuasive than her father while dealing with the peddler. Comment.
Edla’s father had been an officer in the army. Now he was the owner of an iron mill. One dark evening, he saw a stranger (the peddler) in the forge of his mill. He took him for an old regimental comrade. He invited the peddler to spend the Christmas with him at his house. The peddler who had the old crofter’s stolen money with him, thought that by accepting the invitation, he would be throwing himself in a lion’s den. So he refused though the ironmaster pressed again and again. The ironmaster went away but sent his daughter, Edla, to persuade ‘Captain von Stahle’ to spend the Christmas with them at their house. Edla spoke to the peddler in such a loving, friendly, compassionate and persuasive manner that the peddler agreed at once. He said, “It would never have occurred to me that you would bother with me yourself, miss. I will come at once.” Thus we see how Edla proved much more persuasive than her father.
Why did the crofter repose confidence in the peddler ? How did the peddler betray that and with what consequences ?
(Or)
Why did the crofter repose confidence in the peddler ? How did the peddler feel after betraying the crofter ?
The crofter was an old man without wife or child. He lived a lonely life in his little cottage. He felt very pleased when a peddler asked him for shelter for the night. He was happy to have someone to talk to in his loneliness. He not only entertained the stranger with the best food he had, but also shared with him all the confidences of his life. He also showed him the pouch in which he had kept his savings. But the peddler behaved very wickedly and betrayed the poor old crofter. The next morning, the old crofter was in a hurry to milk his cow. The peddler also left the cottage at the same time. The crofter locked the door and put the key in his pocket. Just half an hour later, the peddler came back again. He went up to the window and smashed a pane. He stuck in his hand and got hold of the pouch. He took the money and thrust it into his pocket. Then he hung the leather pouch very carefully in its place and went away. After stealing the crofter’s money, the peddler felt quite pleased with his smartness. He didn’t have any feeling of guilt that he had betrayed the crofter’s confidence reposed in him.
How does the story, ‘Rattrap’ highlight the importance of community over isolation ? Support your rationale with textual evidence.
In this story, the rattrap seller is depicted as a man who is all alone in this world. He has no family or friend. The world has never been kind to him. It makes him a petty thief. But when the peddlar moves from the world of loneliness to the world of community, we find a huge change in his personality. The ironmaster’s daughter Edla proves an angel in his life. Much against her father’s wish, she tries her best to make the poor hungry man feel at home. She provides him good food and a nice place to sleep on. Her touch of kindness and sympathy transforms the peddler completely. The peddler’s real goodness comes to light when he leaves a packet for the ironmaster’s daughter as a Christmas present. The packet has in it a small rattrap as a gift for Edla, three wrinkled ten-krona notes and a letter. In his letter, he thanks Edla for being nice to him and thus saving him from falling into this world’s rattrap. He also requests Edla to give that money to the old crofter whom he had robbed. Thus we see that this story also highlights the importance of community over isolation.
