English-12th Jayshree Periwal High School

Handout (2024-25)
THE RATTRAP -Selma Lagerlöf
SAQs
Q1. If the world is “nothing but a big rattrap” as the tramp stated in the story ‘The
Rattrap’, who might the rattrap peddler be? Discuss.
In the story "The Rattrap," if the world is considered "nothing but a big rattrap," the
rattrap peddler could symbolize the individuals who manipulate and deceive others,
trapping them in a cycle of greed and materialism. He represents the temptations
and traps that lead people astray from genuine human connection and happiness.

Q2. How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human
predicament?
The world entices a person through the various good things of life such as riches and
joy, shelter and food, heat and clothing. These were just like the baits in the rattrap.
Once someone is tempted by the bait, the world closes on him. The peddler was
tempted by thirty kronor of the crofter. It makes him hide. He walks through the
woods. He is afraid to go to the Manor house. He gets peace only after returning the
bait (money).
Q3. 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?
The ironmaster is impulsive whereas his daughter is logical, kind, and thoughtful. In
uncertain light, he (the iron master) mistakes the stranger for his old regiment
comrade. He invites him home and takes care of his feeding, clothing, etc. When he
sees him in broad daylight he calls the man dishonest, demands an explanation, and
is ready to call in the sheriff. His daughter is more observant. She notices the fear of
the stranger and thinks that either he is a thief or a runaway prisoner. In spite of
that, she is gentle, kind, and friendly to him. She treats him nicely even after
knowing the mistake in identity.

Q4. Why did the crofter repose confidence in the peddler? How did the peddler
betray that and with what consequences?
The crofter reposes confidence in the peddler. The peddler betrayed by stealing the
money and went out through the forest not to find the way out easily and he returned
to the same place again and again. Finally, the peddler realized that he was like a rat
caught in a rattrap and the whole world was a rattrap.
Q5. What hospitality did the peddler with rattraps receive from the old crofter?
The old crofter served the peddler hot porridge for supper and gave him tobacco for
his pipe. He entertained his guest by playing cards with him. He also informed him
about his prosperous past life and how his cow supported him in his old age .
Q6. How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human
predicament?
The metaphor of the rattrap signifies that the world exists only to trap people by
setting baits for them. Whenever someone is tempted by the luxuries, he ends up
being caught in a dangerous trap. The author, thus, makes a much deeper comment
on the woeful plight of those in pursuit of the worldly pleasures, which often lead
them to unfortunate situations. The story helps in realising the importance of general
goodness and kindness. The peddler is saved from the snare of the huge rattrap
called world only when he appreciates the kindness to him by Edla.
Q7. Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?
The iron master of the Rams Iron Works spoke kindly to the peddler because he had
mistaken him for an old regimental comrade Captain von Stahle. The iron master
wanted to help the peddler not only in regaining his health but also in taking up a
new vocation. Moreover the iron master was a lonely fellow who lived with his oldest
daughter after the death of his wife and the departure of his sons. As he longed for
some company on the Christmas Eve he invited the peddler to his home.
Q8. Why did the peddler decline the invitation?
The peddler knew that the ironmaster had mistaken him for his old regimental
comrade. Secondly, he had stolen money—thirty kronor—from the crofter. Going to
the ironmaster’s residence would be like entering the lion’s den. So, he declined the
invitation.
LAQs
Q1. Edla's empathetic and compassionate behavior changed the life of the rat trap
seller. Do you think that an act of kindness can change a person's view of the world?

The peddler had been living a despicable life of poverty, despair, and frustration. He
repaid the crofter’s hospitality by stealing his earnings. He repaid the ironmaster’s
invitation to the manor house by giving a piece of his mind when the latter talked of
taking the matter to the sheriff.
The meeting with the ironmaster’s daughter was a turning point in his life. The
kindness, concern, and understanding that she showed him touched the core of his
heart and transformed his way of thinking. The ironmaster’s daughter understood
that he needed security. She convinced her father to allow him to stay in their house
to share the Christmas cheer. She restored his dignity and self-worth. She treated
him like a captain of the army though she was aware that he was a common tramp.
When the girl treated him like a Captain, he spontaneously behaved like a real
Captain. He left a rattrap as a Christmas gift for her and enclosed a letter of thanks
and confession in it. Leaving behind the stolen money to be restored to the owner, he
redeemed himself from his dishonest ways He emerged as an altogether transformed
person.

Q2.How would you compare the peddler’s actions about the crofter and Edla? Would
you say kindness does not always beget kindness, and that the conditions for
receiving kindness are important for it to truly transform people? Elaborate. Provide
relevant textual details to support the analysis.

The peddler's actions about the crofter and Edla highlight the complexities of human
behaviour and the transformative power of kindness. While the peddler initially
approaches the crofter with dishonest intentions, trying to deceive him, the crofter
shows kindness by offering him shelter and treating him with compassion. However,
the peddler steals the crofter's money and escapes, demonstrating that his initial
experiences of kindness did not lead to a transformation in his behaviour.
On the other hand, when the peddler encounters Edla, she treats him with genuine
kindness and offers him a safe haven. She shows trust in him and believes in his
potential for goodness. This act of kindness has a profound impact on the peddler,
leading to a change in his attitude and actions. He feels remorse for his past
behaviour and decides to return the stolen money.
This suggests that while kindness has the potential to transform people, the
conditions for receiving that kindness are crucial. Edla's unconditional kindness,
trust, and belief in the peddler's goodness create an environment where he feels
genuinely valued and worthy of redemption. In contrast, the crofter's kindness,
although well-intentioned, is not enough to evoke a lasting change in the peddler.
Q3. Franz from The Last Lesson and the peddler from The Rattrap demonstrate the
importance of earning from our mistakes to evolve into better people. Imagine that
Shubhangi, your friend, feels as if she has made a mistake by not taking her
academics seriously. Write an essay to Shubhangi in 120–150 words discussing
instances from the two texts to give her an insight into the human tendency to make
mistakes and learn from them.
You may begin like this:
Shubhangi, all of us have made mistakes at one point or another in our lives. After
all, to err is human…
Mistakes are common - all of us, whether old or young, may make numerous
mistakes. For example, little Franz is careless, indisciplined, and unpunctual while
the vagabond, who is much older than Franz, remains greedy and chooses to engage
in petty thievery.
If not corrected in time, our mistakes bring our growth to a standstill. As in the case
of Franz, since he does not take Mr. Hamel’s classes seriously, he is unable to learn
French despite being present in the classroom. The man with the rattrap, on the
other hand, is not satisfied by people’s kindness to him. Instead, he steals from
compassionate people like the old crofter who shared his meal with him and gave
him a place to rest, without any remorse. He also greedily pretends to be the master
blacksmith’s long-lost acquaintance, hoping for money from the blacksmith.
However, when they are confronted with their respective situations, they realize
their mistakes. Franz attends the last lesson only to realize that he had lost the only
opportunity to learn his mother tongue while the vagabond who pretended to be
Captain Von Stahle was taken aback by the goodness of Edla.
Upon this realization, Franz is filled with remorse and tries his best to recite the
lesson. He is unable to do so and feels guilty, so he listens to the remaining part of
the lesson with rapt attention. Similarly, inspired by Edla’s kindness to him, the
rattrap man returns the stolen money.
Both of these characters thus realize their mistakes and take the initiative to fix
them. They make the choice to evolve into better people by learning from their
mistakes, something that makes a difference in their lives.

***