I would like to express my special thanks

of gratitude to my teacher ------- and our

principal --------- who
gave me the golden opportunity to do this
project on the topic “The Rattrap” . It
helped me in doing a lot of research and I
came to know about a lot of things related
to this topic.

Finally , I would also like to thank my

parents and siblings who helped me a lot
in finalizing this project within the
limited time frame.
This is to certify that ---------- of XII A
registration no. has
completed his English project work for
AISSCE successfully as per the academic
guidelines issued by CBSE under the
guidance of ---------------- for the Academic
year 2023-24.

I certify this project entitled “ The Rattrap”

has fulfilled my expectations and as per the
norms laid down by CBSE.

. .

INT.EXAMINER EXT.EXAMINER
S.No. TOPIC Pg No.
1. ABOUT THE AUTHOR 1
2. CHARACTER SKETCH 2-4
3. SETTING 5
4. SUMMARY 6-7
5. CENTRAL THEME 8-9
6. LITERARY DEVICES 10-11
AND TECHNIQUES
7. MORAL OF THE STORY 12
8. MATERIALISM AND 13
CONSUMERISM
9. CONCLUSION 14
10. BIBLIOGRAPHY 15
The author of "The Rattrap" is Selma Lagerlöf, a
renowned Swedish writer born on November 20, 1858, in
Östra Emterwik, Sweden, and passed away on March
16, 1940. Lagerlöf was the first female writer to win the
Nobel Prize in Literature in 1909.
She gained international recognition for her
contributions to literature, particularly for her storytelling
ability and her works that often drew inspiration from
Swedish folklore and rural life. Lagerlöf's writing often
depicted themes of humanity, morality, and the
struggle between good and evil.
Her most famous work is perhaps the novel "The
Wonderful Adventures of Nils," originally published in
1906. This book, intended as a geography reader for
Swedish schools, became a classic children's story loved
by readers worldwide.
"The Rattrap" is one of her short stories that reflects
Lagerlöf's style of storytelling, incorporating elements of
folklore and moral themes. Her writing often delves into
the complexities of human nature and the potential for
redemption through unexpected kindness and
empathy.
PEDDLER: The peddler was a beggar who led
a nomadic way of life. He was quite
imaginative. He wore rags, had sunken
cheeks, and his eyes gleamed from
hunger. He roamed around the town selling
wire rattraps that he made himself. He
obtained this wire either through begging or
by stealing. He possessed certain human
flaws, such as the need to steal and beg to
Meet his basic necessities. He spent his
evenings wherever he could find shelter
because he had nowhere to stay during the
day. He believes that the entire universe
resembles a giant rat trap. It merely exists in
order to attract others with bait. He believes
that all wealth, happiness, food, clothing, and
shelter are merely traps. The rattrap shuts on
the person who touches the bait if and when
he does.
IRONMASTER: The Ironmaster was the owner of
Ramsjo Ironworks. He thought the man selling
rattraps was an old friend from the army. He
lacked the ability to make accurate
conclusions about others. He was a kind and
gentle man. He welcomed the street vendor
to his home to look after him. He gets furious
when he realizes that he had mistaken the
stranger to be an old friend. He not only
invited the peddler to spend the night at his
house, but also provided him with a dinner of
porridge. It was on his daughter's insistence
that he let the stranger remain at their house
For Christmas festivities. He was a loving caring
father who could see things from his
daughter's perspective.
EDLA: Edla, the ironmaster's daughter, is
characterised as being "not at all
attractive, but humble and extremely
shy. Even after it is established that the
peddler is not Captain von Stahle, she is
incredibly kind, convincing him to come
to her house and then persuading her
father to let him stay for Christmas Eve.
Edla is more smart and observant than
her father, as seen by the fact that she
can identify the peddler's fear and the
likelihood that he has done a crime that
he is evading right away. She is the most
admirable character in the story and her
kindness and charity bring about a
change in the peddler's heart.
The setting of "The Rattrap" by Selma Lagerlöf
is primarily rural and takes place in Sweden
during an unspecified time period.
The story unfolds in various locations, including
the countryside and an isolated ironworks. The
vagabond, the central character, travels
through the Swedish countryside, seeking
shelter and sustenance. He stumbles upon the
ironworks, owned by the ironmaster, which
serves as a significant setting in the narrative.
The ironworks, situated in a remote area near
the forest, becomes a pivotal location where
the vagabond encounters unexpected
kindness from the ironmaster and his
daughter, Edla. The contrast between the
vagabond's wandering lifestyle and the
relative stability and wealth of the ironmaster's
estate emphasizes the disparities between
their lives.
The story begins with a rattrap peddler who is
in a rugged condition. He is dressed in rags
and is very frail and looks starved. We learn he
has no home and sometimes even begs and
steals to survive in the world. He leads a lonely
life with no one to care about him. One fine
day, it strikes to him that this whole world is a
rattrap itself. If we touch it, it will trap us and
never let us go. He goes on to think that there
are people out there who are already in this
rattrap and reaching for the bait. On one cold
evening, he reaches at a cottage to ask for
shelter. An old crofter lived in that cottage
who took in the peddler.
The crofter needed company so he
welcomes the peddler. He gives him hot
food and even tobacco to smoke. They
play cards and start talking. The peddler
learns that the crofter got thirty kronor for
selling his cow which he keeps in a pouch
on the window frame. The peddler leaves
the next day but after seeing the crofter
leave his cottage, he comes back to steal
the pouch of money.
After stealing it, he takes the woods to remain
unsuspected. In the wood, the peddler meets
an ironmaster who mistakes him to be his old
comrade. He invites him over for Christmas but
he refuses. After that, the ironmaster’s
daughter, Edla visits him and insists him to stay
with them. In between, he feels sorry for
stealing the crofter’s money. They help the
peddler get a makeover and dress him in nice
clothes and shave his beard off. After this, the
ironmaster realizes he has made a mistake;
the peddler was not his comrade.
Thus, the ironmaster thinks he is a fraud and
decides to turn him in. However, Edla insists on
letting him stay and celebrate Christmas with
them. Her father agrees, and they celebrate
Christmas together. Next day, the ironmaster
and Edla learn that the peddler was a thief
through the church about the incident at the
old crofter’s. They head home in a hurry
thinking he must have stolen all the silver.
However, to their surprise, the peddler did not
steal a thing. He left a note for Edla in the form
a tiny rattrap. There was also a note thanking
her for her kindness which saved him from the
rattrap he got caught in. Most importantly, he
also left the crofter’s money asking to return it to
him.
The central theme of "The Rattrap" by Selma Lagerlöf
revolves around the transformative power of
unexpected kindness, redemption, and the potential
for change in human nature. Throughout the story,
the vagabond, who survives through deception and
sees life as a rattrap, encounters the unexpected
kindness of the ironmaster and his daughter, Edla.
Despite his initial deceitful intentions, they treat him
with genuine hospitality, offering warmth and
generosity. The acts of kindness shown by the
ironmaster and Edla challenge the vagabond's
cynical worldview. He is deeply moved and
conflicted by their genuine goodwill, especially
when he receives money as a gesture of kindness
rather than as payment for his
deceptive actions.
This unexpected display of
empathy and generosity
from the ironmaster and
Edla becomes a catalyst for
change in the vagabond. I
t prompts him to reevaluate
his beliefs, leading to a transformation
in his perspective. He begins to recognize the
possibility of kindness and goodness in the world,
ultimately experiencing a shift from cynicism to a
newfound belief in the potential for redemption and
positive change.
The story highlights the theme that even
small acts of compassion and kindness
have the power to profoundly impact
individuals, challenging their perceptions
and offering hope for a more positive
outlook on life. It emphasizes the idea that
human connections and unexpected
gestures of goodwill can lead to personal
transformation, illustrating the potential
for redemption and the inherent goodness
within individuals despite their
circumstances.
SYMBOLISM:
1.The Rattrap: Symbolizes the
enticement of material possessions,
deceit, and the trap of worldly desires
that ensnare individuals.
2. Ironmaster's Ironworks: Represents
the oppressive nature of societal
structures and the class divide.

IRONY:
1.Rattrap Seller's Transformation: It's
ironic that a man who makes rattraps
falls into a figurative "rattrap" himself
and is redeemed through
unexpected kindness.
2.The Ironmaster's Reaction: The irony
lies in how the Ironmaster's fear of
theft leads to compassion and
hospitality towards the rattrap seller.
Characterization:
1.Rattrap Seller's Transformation:
Lagerlöf uses gradual
characterization to portray the
rattrap seller's transformation from
a cynical, deceitful man to one
touched by kindness and trust.
2.Edla Willmansson's Character:
Through her interactions, actions,
and dialogue, Lagerlöf develops
Edla's character as someone
compassionate and open-minded,
despite societal expectations.
Imagery:
1.Descriptive Imagery: Lagerlöf uses
vivid descriptions of settings, such as
the ironworks and the dark forest, to
evoke a sense of desolation and
entrapment.
2.Symbolic Imagery: The description
of the rattrap as an allegory for life's
temptations creates a strong mental
image for the reader.
The story conveys the message that
acts of kindness and good
behaviour can change even a
criminal mind. It gives the lesson
that we should treat everyone with
love and kindness.
Traps of Material Desires: Just like
the rattrap symbolizes the lure of
material possessions in the story,
today's consumer-driven society
often traps individuals in a cycle of
materialism, seeking happiness
through possessions.
Debt and Financial Traps: People
can find themselves ensnared in
debt and financial difficulties due
to the allure of material goods,
much like the rattrap seller's
entrapment.
Contemporary Relevance: The
conclusion's themes of empathy,
transformation, and the importance
of human connection remain
relevant in today's society, prompting
readers to consider their interactions and
values.
Universal Message: The story's conclusion
leaves a lasting impression, reminding us
of the universal nature of human
experiences and the capacity for
goodness within us all.

In conclusion, "The Rattrap" ends on a

hopeful note, underscoring the
significance of kindness and empathy in
fostering personal growth and
transformation. It serves as a timeless
reminder of the redemptive power of
human connection and the potential for
positive change, resonating with readers
by highlighting the enduring value of
compassion and trust in the human
journey.
All the information put forth in this
project have been collected from the
following resources:

 Flamingo book class XII

 en.wikipedia.org
 mycbseguide.com
 successcds.net
 litcharts.com