THE RATTRAP ( Selma Lagerlöf)
Introduction of the Rattrap
Selma Lager l ö f ( 1858-1940) was born in värm land , Sweden. In 1909, she became the first , women writer and the first Swede to win the Nobel prize for Literature. The story ‘ The Rattrap’ is both entertaining and philosophy. On one side it talks about the economic fallout of industrialization in Sweden while on the other it talks about the need for compassion and understanding to awaken the essential goodness in a human being.
Many farm families were displaced by the growing industry in Europe during the time of industrial development, and some people were reduced to lives of extreme poverty. The story ” The Rattrap ” brings out these sweeping Changes that took place in varam land , in Sweden, towards the end of the nineteenth century. The title of the story refers to the theory that life is one big Rattrap. It had never existed for any other purpose than to set baits for people. It offered riches and joys, shelter and food, heat and clothing, exactly as the Rattrap offered cheese and pork, and as soon as anyone let himself be tempted to touch the bait, it closed in on him, and then everything came to an end. The story is narrated in the style of a fairy tale.
Summary with Explanation of the Rattrap
Summary of The Rattrap :
The protagonist of the story is a peddler who plodded his lonely way by selling Rattrap, which however is not a good living. When left to his own meditations he began to think of life as a huge Rattrap. One evening he knocked on the door of a gray cottage and an old crofter opened the door. He welcomed the vagabond and made him comfortable with food, drink and tobacco. They even played cards till bed – time. The old man was lonely and had no wife or child . He was once a crofter. He lost his land, but now lived on his cattle. He even showed the stranger his savings kept in a leather pouch. There were three wrinkled ten kronor notes. On the following day the peddler bid the farmer goodbye but the returned and stole the farmer’s money. After that he had no courage to use the public highway as he was afraid of getting caught. He got into a forest but he lost his way and finally reached an iron mil. Through the blacksmiths didn’t show much enthusiasm the ironmaster mistook him to be one of his old friends and invited him home. The peddler did not un deceive the ironmaster thinking he might get some money from him as a help. When the ironmaster failed to convince the stranger of his hospitality he sent his daughter to welcome him home. The peddler got convinced by the reassurances given by her and went along with her to the manor house. The following day after the bath and changes of dress his true self came out and the ironmaster recognized his mistake. The peddler pleaded his innocence and was finally allowed to go. But Edla thought that it was injustice let the man go on the eve of Christmas. She wanted to make him feel peaceful and comfortable. She gave him good food and allowed him to take away her father’s dress as a Christmas present. The stranger became learnt what the stranger had done to the old man whose money he had stolen. They returned home alarmed, thinking that he must have repeated the same at their home too . As they reached home they found a packet left behind by the man. It was a Rattrap — a gift for Edla and there was a note in which he thanked her and repented for his guilt of stealing the old man’s money. She even found those notes inside the packet with a request to return them to the rightful owner. Her kindness changed the life of the peddler. The peddler thanked Edla for giving him a second chance and helping him out. He signed him name as captain von sta ble.
Think as you read (The Rattrap)
Q.1. From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a Rattrap?
Ans. The peddler got the idea of the world being a Rattrap from his own meditations. His dull and monotonous life forced him to fall into a long line of thought. While thinking about the Rattrap he suddenly got the idea of the world being a Rattrap.
Q.2. why was he amused by this idea ?
Ans. In fact, the world had never been kind to him. Hence he took pleasure in thinking ill of the world. So he was amused to think that the whole world around him was nothing but a big Rattrap.
Q.3. Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter?
Ans. No, he didn’t expect the kind of the hospitality he received from the crofter. Normally whenever he knocked on a door only sour faces met him. Thus, he had expected the same here too but he was surprised to see the hospitality extended to him.
Q.4. why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?
Ans. The crofter was an old man without wife or child. He felt happy to get someone to talk to in his loneliness.
Q.5. why did crofter show the thirty kronor to the peddler?
Ans. As the crofter narrated his story of survival, through he was very open, he felt that it might have been difficult for the stranger to believe him. He wanted to prove to the man that he was very truthful to him; hence he opened the pouch in which the money was kept and showed him the thirty kronor notes.
Q.6. Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?
Ans. No, the peddler didn’t respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter. He returned after some time and broke open the window pane and stole the money kept in the leather pouch.
Q.7. what made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a Rattrap?
Ans. As the paddler walked through the forest he found his way confusing with many turns and twists. He walked and walked without coming to the end of the wood, and finally, he realized that he had only been walking around in the same part of the forest. This made him realize that he had indeed fallen into a Rattrap.
Q.8. why did the ironmaster speak – kindly to the peddler and invite him home?
Ans. The ironmaster spoke kindly to the paddler and invited him home because he mistook him to be one of his old friends Nils O l o f who was a captain and who had resigned from the regiment.
Q.9. why did the peddler decline the invitation?
Ans. The peddler declined the invitation because he knew that he would be caught and arrested for steaming the money. Accepting the invitation would be like throwing himself voluntarily into the lion’s den.
Q.10. what made the peddler accept Edla willmansson ‘ s invitation?
Ans. The peddler accepted Edla willmansson’ s invitation because she spoke in a very friendly manner and he felt confidence in her. She promised him that he would be allowed to leave them as freely as he came. She wanted him to celebrate Christmas Eve with them .
Understanding the text ( The Rattrap)
Q.1. How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter, the ironmaster and his daughter?
Ans. The peddler was a vagabond who went around selling small Rattrap. Sometimes he had to beg or even steal to survive. One dark evening, as he was trudging along the road, he saw a cottage by the road side. He knocked on its door. An old man greeted him. The peddler enjoyed the crofter ‘ s hospitality and kindness but didn’t value it. Instead, before leaving the cottage, he stole the thirty kronor s from the pouch hung on the window frame by breaking the window pane. This, he violated the trust the crofter reposed in him.
Similarly, the peddler doesn’t seem to be too impressed by the kindness and the hospitality shown by the ironmaster . The ironmaster mistook him as an old acquaintance, a certain. The peddler didn’t clear the ironmaster’ s doubt in the hope of getting a couple of kronor notes. The ironmaster realised his mistake of taking the peddler as an old regimental comrade. He wanted to get him arrested by calling the sheriff. To this, the paddler responded by saying that the whole world was a big Rattrap and the ironmaster might also be trapped.
Contrary to all this, the acts of kindness and hospitality of the ironmaster’ s daughter stirred up the essential goodness in the peddler. Her sympathy and understanding left a deep impression on him. His basic goodness didn’t want the young girl to feel embarrassed. Now he was a reformed person. He left thirty kronor ( to be given back to the old crofter). He also wrote a letter thanking her profusely and signed it as ‘ captain von stable’.
Q.2. 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?
Ans. The ironmaster was the famous owner of the Ramsjo ironworks . His greatest ambition was to send out good quality iron to the market. He was very vigilant and analytical. At the same time, he was quite social. When he mistook the paddler for an old acquaintance, he invited him to his home and tried to make him comfortable. He sent his daughter to persuade the peddler to visit his manor house. He was kind and sympathetic to the poor and the helpless. But he didn’t like to sympathize with the manipulative cheats. When the ironmaster came to know the truth about the peddler, he got angry and the threatened to call the sheriff. He told him to go away at once.
Q.3. The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to others behavior. Pick out instances of these surprises.
Ans. When the peddler knocked at the door of a little cottage he had expected to meet some sour faces. Contrary to his expectations an old man welcomed him who had no wife or child and was very lonely. He was happy to have got someone to talk to. Soon he gave him supper and tabaco to smoke. Until bedtime they played cards and he even talked openly about him to the stranger. He even showed him where he had kept thirty kronor.
The peddler was welcomed in a very cold manner by the blacksmiths at the Ramsjo iron Mill, but the ironmaster looked at his face and mistook him to be one of his old friends. Later in the morning when the ironmaster recognized that he had made a mistake he even wanted to call the sheriff and hand over the stranger to him. But his daughter closes the door and asks the stranger to stay at home for Christmas. She shows extraordinary kindness towards him. It was quite unexpected of the peddler that finally, he confessed and left home leaving behind the money he had stolen along with a gift for the girl.
Q.4. what made the peddler finally change his ways?
Ans. The peddler in all his life had not received such kindness from anyone. He understood the true meaning of kindness from the daughter of the ironmaster. When she invited him home she gave him the freedom to leave the place whenever it pleased him. When the ironmaster recognized that he had made a mistake he wanted to handover the tramp to the sheriff. Out of kindness he allowed him to go, but his daughter Edla wouldn’t allow him to do any such thing. She served him good meals to eat. He could never understand the reason why she was so kind towards him. He was fed and looked after by her very well . Her kind and generous character brought about the change in him and he leaves the house honourable without stealing anything and even returning the money he had stolen earlier from an old man.
Q.5. The does the metaphor of the Rattrap serve to highlight the human predicament?
Ans. The metaphor of ” The Rattrap’ refers to the theory that life is one big Rattrap. It had never existed for any other purpose than to set baits for people. It offered riches and joys, shelter and food, heat and clothing, exactly as the Rattrap offered cheese and pork, and as soon as anyone let himself be tempted to touch the bait, it closed in on him, and then everything came to an end. The story was written in the backdrop of industrial revolution in Sweden in the second half of the nineteenth century. Many farm families were displaced by the growing industry and people were reduced to lives of extreme poverty. The tramp in the story was a victim of such an economic change. He was caught in the Rattrap of the social and economic change. The hospitality he received from the crofter and the ironmaster were all like traps. When he saw the old man’ s money his extreme poverty forced him to steal it. But at the house of the ironmaster he was caught in his own trap. His daughter’ s extreme kindness forces him to feeling. The story leaves a moral that if you take something you want wrongfully you will usually get trapped in life by your own consequences.
Q.6. The peddler comes out as a person with a subtle sence of humour. How does this serve in lightening the seriousness of the theme of the story and also endear him to us?
Ans. The very Rattrap theory of the peddler is both humorous and philosophical. The readee gets tickled when he sees the peddler comparing man’s greediness for money and wealthy to a rat that hungrily looks around for food and finally gets caught in the trap. It is even more of a fun coming out of irony to see the peddler himself gets caught by the trap. The peddler’ s attempt not to undeceive the ironmaster, yet afraid to accept his invitation is indeed very comical. His smartness after he had put on clean clothes and his expression of anger and frustration when the ironmaster threatened to call the sheriff are the other funny senses in the story. He comes out to be a very lovable character and endears to everyone when he confesses his guilt and gets ennobled by the kindness shown by Edla. This thought highly philosophical, the story is a lot more entertaining with lot of humorous senses.
Some other Questions of the Rattrap
Short Answer Type Questions The Rattrap
Q.1. Do you accept the peddler’ s argument that the case of mistaken identity was not his fault? ( The answer can be yes/ No provided the student gives a reasonable justification)
Ans. Yes , I accept the peddler’ s argument that the case of mistaken identity was not his fault. The ironmaster was in a haste to identify him as one of his old comrades. The peddler had no intention to deceive him or even go with him to the mirror house. His only expectation was that the ironmaster might take pity on him and give him some kronor notes.
Or
Ans. No , I accept the peddler’ s argument that the case of mistaken identity was not his fault. When the ironmaster had addressed him as ‘ Nils Olof ‘ he should have told him that he was not his old regimental comrade. Probably his honesty could have moved the heart of the ironmaster, who otherwise appears to be a very compassionate man and he would have given him some financial help. There is no doubt that the peddler kept quiet to deceive the ironmaster.
Q.2. In the story, ” The Rattrap’, who was a keen observer, the ironmaster or his daughter? Substantiate your answer with an example from the text.
Ans. In the story, ” The Rattrap’ the ironmaster’ s daughter is a keen observer than him . The ironmaster mistook the paddler to be one of his old regimental comrades, but Edla, the girl was able to recognize the fear in the eyes of the peddler even at the very first sight at the iron Mill.
She then concluded that he was either a thief or a fugitive.
Q.3. why did the peddler sign himself as captain von stahle’?
Ans. The peddler signed himself as captain von stahle because like a real captain he showed great courage to confess his guilt . He even left behind the money he had stolen from the old crofter and promised to mend his ways. Edla’ s compassion ate nature and understanding ennobled and elevated him to the level of a captain.
Q.4. The crofter can be called as a ” good host ” . Why?
Ans. The crofter can be called a good host because he welcomed the tramp warmly. He offered him hot supper, gave him tabaco to smoke and played cards with him. He was very friendly and talked to him about his days of prosperity and of his cow . He was very open and shared the secrets of his life with him .
Q.5. why was Edla happy to see the gift life by the peddler?
Ans. She was sad to learn at the church that one of the old crofters of the iron works had been robbed by a man who went round selling Rattrap. Her father was upset with her for having allowed a thief in the house. But their valet informed them that the peddler had left without talking anything. He had left a gift with thirty kronor inside it to be returned to the rightful owner. This made her happy.
Q.6. why did the peddler think that the world was a Rattrap?
Ans. The peddler was a pessimist and cynical about the ways of the world because none took pity on him. The world was never kind to him; hence he began thinking negativity about the world. The idea of world being a Rattrap entertained him a lot.
Long Answer Type Questions (100-125) of The Rattrap
Q.1. Attempt a character sketch of the crofter. How did he treat the peddler?
Ans. The crofter was the owner of the cottage where the peddler sought shelter for the night. He was an old man without wife or children. He was happy to get someone to talk to. The crofter was a pleasant and friendly person with a smilling face. He was a kind and generous man who gladly allowed the stranger to stay in his cottage. He was a wonderful host and very hospitable. He even gave him suffer and played a game of cards with him. He was very friendly and opened his heart to share some facts about his personal life. He told him about the days of his prosperity as a crofter at Ramsjo iron works. He lost his land and now he survives on his cow whose milk and cream provide him with a source of regular income. The crofter almost gives the impression of being too gullible and naive. To make himself more convincing to the peddler, he simply showed hime thirty kronor notes ( from his pounch) which he had received in payment for the cow’ s milk last month . Thus , the crofter made himself vulnerable to be stolen. In his simpleton nature he his simpleton nature he reposed complete confidence in the peddler who, however, didn’t value his confidence and stole his money on the following morning.
Q.2. what does the title ‘ The Rattrap’ symbolize ? Does the story advocate the theory of giving a second chance to those who commit mistakes in life?
Ans. The story’ The Rattrap’ refers to the theory that life is one big Rattrap. It has never existed for any other purpose than to set baits for people. It offers riches and joys, shelter and food, heat and clothing, exactly as the Rattrap offered cheese and pork, and as soon as anyone let himself be tempted to touch the bait, it closes in on him, and then everything comes to an end. This theory often does seem to be the case always, if you take something you want wrongfully you will usually get trapped in life by your own consequences. However, the story also says something about second chances, stating that everyone should get another chance.
The peddler commits the mistake of stealing money from the crofter. But the kindness and the campassion shown by Edla changes him. He leaves the manor house ennobled and with a promise to mend his ways. Thus the story advocates the theory that’ to err is human’ and therefore, everyone who makes mistakes must be given a second chance to confess and mend his ways just as the peddler in the story.
Q. 3. Why did the ironmaster’ s invitation to the paddler to spend Christmas Eve with him make him think that he was going to fall into a trap?
Ans. Apart from selling Rattrap, the peddler did indulge in begging and even stealing to keep his body and soul together. One night he took shelter in a friendly, Old crofter’ s cottage. In the morning, while leaving the cottage he stole three ten kronor notes from the crofter’ s poch. At the Ramsjo iron works, the ironmaster mistook the paddler as an old acquaintance and thought that he was a part of the same regiment. The ironmaster invited the peddler to spend the Christmas Eve with them. The peddler thought of the thirty kronors and realised that going up to the manor house would mean throwing himself voluntarily into the lion’s den. So , after a ponderous thought he declined the ironmaster’ s invitation very firmly.
Q. 4. How did the peddler betray the confidence reposed in him by the crofter in ‘ The Rattrap’?
Ans. One dark nights, the peddler knocked at the door of a small cottage and asked for shelter for the night. The owner greeted the peddler happily and warmly. He was an old man without wife or child. He was happy to get someone to talk to in his loneliness. The old man gave the peddler supper, tabaco for the pipe and played cards with him. The old friendly man had been a crofter at Ramsjo iron works. The crofter talked to the paddler about his days of prosperity and days now . He even talked about the thirty kronors he had received last month as payment for the cow’s milk sold to the creamery.
To such a trusting, warm and friendly reception from the old crofter, the peddler responded rather crudely and unexpectedly. The next morning both of them left the cottage together. But haft an hour later , the peddler returned to the cottage, went up to the window, smashed a pane, stuck in his hand and got hold of the pouch with the thirty kronors. He took the money and thrust it into his own pocket.
Value Based Questions of the Rattrap
Q.1. Answer the following in about 100 words : of The Rattrap
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, ‘ The Rattrap’?
Ans. Values of concern and compassion in the story ‘ The Rattrap’
The story ‘ The Rattrap’ highlights the fact that compassion and concern can awaken the essential goodness in a man. The peddler was a thief. He stole the money of the crofter and pretended to be the comrade of the ironmaster. But when he mend his ways. She served him delicious food and gave her father’s dress as a Christmas gift to him . He was allowed to go freely and even she promised to treat him during the next Christmas. This kind of royal treatment was unexpected by the peddler. He then during the next Christmas. This kind of royal treatment was unexpected to by the peddler. He then decide to become a better person. Thus , the story gives up the message that no man is born bad; but circumstances make him bad . When he gets kindness and compassion he returned to his old self.
Q.2. ‘ The Rattrap’ is a story that focuses on human loneliness and the need to be kind to others. It shows how an act of kindness can change a person’s view of the world. In keeping with this mood of the story, write an article on ‘ On Being kind’ in about 100 words.
Ans. On Being kind
Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see ‘ rightly said Mark Twain . Kindness is the universal language that is comprehended beyond boundaries. Being kind to others instills a positive feeling and makes this world a better place to live in. Showing kindness to others gives a feeling of joy to the recipient. The doer is also satiated by the feeling of warmth and compassion. All religions teach us to express kindness towards others. Even the mute animals wave their tail as a return gesture to kindness shown to them. Plants grow large and bear fruits as a response to the kind behavior of their caretaker. Kindness should be imbibed as the basis behavior attribute by the human beings.
Showing kindness to neighbors and colleagues help in developing a positive social environment. A kind word to a person who has gone astray may even Change his approach to life. If you have been kind to someone by ignoring his small fault or simply said’ never mind, take care next time’ will always be remembered by that person. Be kind and the same shall come back to you. Finally, be kind to yourself and gave space to the trivial mistakes in life.
Q.3. In the story’ The Rattrap’ the peddler undergoes a change of heart when he received compassion and understanding. ‘ The story gives us the message that no one is born criminal. Circumstances make them become criminals. Based on the story of the Rattrap peddler write a paragraph on the topic: ‘ Fellow feeling is the corner stone of humanity’.
Ans. Fellow feeling is the corner stone of humanity
Mother Teresa was moved by the pitiable conditions of the poor and destitute found on the streets of Kolkata. she decided to spend her life nursing them. She was filled with the milk of human kindness. Her compassion nature won everyone’s heart. As a result she received help for her cause from different quarters . Similarly we have hundreds, thousands of such people who are filled with fellow feeling. At the time of great disasters like the recent one in uttarakhand people from different quarters offered their valuable help help to the survivors of the calamity . They donated kind and cash for this noble cause. Thus they were able to wipe away the tears from many hapless victims. We all need to make a conscious effort to keep alive this fellow feeling always within us.
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Class Xllth class Xllth class Xllth
The Rattrap summary with all questions and answers for class Xllth The Rattrap for class Xllth summary The Rattrap ( all questions and answers ) for class Xllth