THE RATTRAP

NCERT QUESTIONS

Q1. From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?
Ans: The peddler had been thinking of his rattraps when suddenly he was struck by
the idea that the whole world was nothing but a big rattrap. It existed only to set baits
for people. It offered riches and joys, shelter and food, heat and clothing in the same
manner as the rattrap offered cheese and pork. As soon as someone let himself be
tempted to touch the bait, it closed in on him, and then everything came to an end.

Q2. Why was he amused by this idea?

Ans: His own life was sad and monotonous. He walked laboriously from place to
place. The world had never been kind to him. So, during his gloomy ploddings, this
idea became his favourite pastime. He was amused how people let themselves be
caught in the dangerous snare and how others were still circling around the bait

Q3. Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the
crofter?
Ans: The crofter served him porridge for supper and tobacco for his pipe. He also
played a game of cards with him till bed time. This hospitality was unexpected as
people usually made sour faces when the peddler asked for shelter.

Q4. Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?
Ans: The crofter’s circumstances and temperament made him so talkative and
friendly with the peddler. Since he had no wife or child, he was happy to get
someone to talk to in his loneliness. Secondly, he was quite generous with his
confidences.

Q5. Why did he show the thirty kronor to the peddler?

Ans: The crofter had told the peddler that by supplying his cow’s milk to the
creamery, he had received thirty kronor in payment. The peddler seemed to doubt it.
So, in order to assure his guest of the truth he showed the thirty kronor to the
peddler.

Q6. Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?
Ans: No, the peddler did not respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter. At
the very first opportunity that he got, he smashed the window pane, took out the
money and hung the leather pouch back in its place. Then he went away.

THINK AS YOU READ

Q1. What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?
Ans: The peddler realised that he must not walk on the public highway with the
stolen money in his pocket. He went into the woods. He kept walking without coming
to the end of the wood. Then he realised that he had fallen in the rattrap. He had let
himself befooled by a bait and had been caught in.
Q2. Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?
Ans: The ironmaster walked closely up to the peddler. In the uncertain reflection
from the furnace, he mistook the man as his old regimental comrade, Captain Von
Stahle. He addressed the stranger as Nils Olof, spoke very kindly and invited him
home.

Q3. Why did the peddler decline the invitation?

Ans: The peddler knew that the ironmaster had mistaken him for his old regimental
comrade. Secondly, he had stolen money—thirty kronor—on him. Going to the
ironmaster’s residence would be like entering the lion’s den. So, he declined the
invitation.

THINK AS YOU READ

Q1. What made the peddler accept Edla Willmansson’s invitation?
Ans: Miss Edla Willmansson looked at the peddler quite compassionately. She
noticed that the man was afraid. She assured him that he would be allowed to leave
just as freely as he came. She requested him to stay with them over Christmas Eve.
Her friendly manner made the peddler feel confidence in her and accept her
invitation.

Q2. What doubts did Edla have about the peddler?

Ans: As Edla lifted the peddler’s hat, he jumped up abruptly and seemed to be quite
frightened. Even her kind looks, disclosure of her name and purpose of visit failed to
calm him. From his fear, she thought that either he had stolen something or he had
escaped from jail.

Q3. When did the ironmaster realise his mistake?

Ans: Next morning, the stranger was cleaned and well-dressed. The valet had
bathed him, cut his hair and shaved him. He was led to the dining room for
breakfast. The ironmaster saw him in broad daylight. It was impossible to mistake
him for an old acquaintance now. Then the ironmaster realised his mistake and
threatened to call the Sheriff.

Q4. How did the peddler defend himself against not having revealed his true
identity?
Ans: The peddler explained that he had not tried to pretend as his acquaintance. He
was not at fault. All along he had maintained that he was a poor trader. He had
pleaded and begged to be allowed to stay in the forge. No harm had been done by
his stay. He was willing to put on his rags again and go away.

Q5. Why did Edla still entertain the peddler even after she knew the truth about
him?
Ans: Edla did not think it proper on their part to chase away a human being whom
they had asked to come to their house and had promised him Christmas cheer. She
understood the reality of the peddler’s life and wanted him to enjoy a day of peace
with them. Hence, she still entertained the peddler even after knowing the truth
about him.
THINK AS YOU READ
Q1. Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?
Ans: As soon as Edla opened the package of the gift, the contents came into view.
She found a small rattrap with three wrinkled ten kronor notes and a letter
addressed to her. The peddler wanted to be nice in return as she had been so nice
to him all day long. He did not want her to be embarrased at the Christmas season
by a thief.

Q2.Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von Stahle?

Ans: The ironmaster has invited the peddler to his house mistaking him for Captain
von Stahle. He was welcomed there and looked after as captain even after the
reality became known. The peddler got a chance to redeem himself from dishonest
ways by acting as an honourable Captain.

UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT

Q1. How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown
by the crofter, the iron master and his daughter?
Ans: The peddler interprets the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the
crofter, the iron master and his daughter differently. He cheats the crofter as he
provides him company in his loneliness and helps him pass time. He wants to get a
couple of kronors from the iron master and is surprised at the contrasting style of
behaviour of father and daughter. He is touched by the kindness, care and
intervention of Edla on his behalf.

Q2. 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 is impulsive* whereas his daughter is cool, logical, kind and
thoughtful. In uncertain light he (iron master) mistakes the stranger as his old
regiment comrade. He invites him home and takes care of his feeding, clothing etc.
When he sees him in broad day light 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 run away
prisoner. Inspite of that She is gentle, kind and friendly to him. She treats him nicely
even after knowing the mistake in identity.

Q3. The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the
characters to others’ behaviour. Pick out instances of these surprises.
Ans: The peddler is surprised at the warm welcome, generous supper, cheerful
company and intimate confidences by the crofter. The ironmaster addresses the
peddler as Captain von Stahle. He is surprised when the ironmaster calls him “Nils
Olof. The ironmaster assumes his declining the invitation a result of embarrassment
caused by his miserable clothing. The peddler’s comparison of the world to a rattrap
makes the ironmaster laugh and he drops the idea of calling in the sheriff.
The peddler looks at Edla in boundless amazement when she tells him that the suit
is a Christmas present. She also invites him to spend next Christmas with them. She
does all this even after knowing the mistake about his identity.The crofter is robbed
by his guest, the rattrap peddler, in return of his hospitality.
Q4. What made the peddler finally change his ways?
Ans: Edla Willmansson treated the tramp in a friendly manner. She was nice and
kind to her. She interceded on his behalf when her father was about to turn him out.
She still entertained the peddler even after knowing the truth about him. She offered
him the suit as Christmas present and invited him to spend the next Christmas with
them. Her love and understanding aroused the essential goodness in the peddler
and finally he changed his ways.

Q5. How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human
predicament?
Ans: 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 closed on him.The
peddler was tempted by thirty kronor of the crofter. It makes him hide himself. He
walks through the wood. He is afraid to go to the Manor house. He gets peace only
after returning the bait (money).

Q6. The peddler comes out as a person with a subtle sense of humour. How7
does this serve in lightening the seriousness of the theme of the story and
also endear him to us?
Ans: The peddler has a subtle sense of humour, which is revealed during his
interactions with the ironmaster and his daughter after the truth about him becomes
known. He is neither afraid of being turned out in cold in rags nor of being sent to
prison. He makes the ironmaster laugh with his metaphor of the rattrap. His letter
with the Christmas present to Edla is a fine example of his capacity to make others
laugh at him. Thus, he lightens the seriousness of the theme of the story and also
endears himself to us.

TALKING ABOUT THE TEXT

Discuss the following in groups of four. Each group can deal with one topic
and present the views of your group to the whole class.
Q1. The reader’s sympathy is with the peddler right from the beginning of the
story. Why is this so? Is the sympathy justified?
Ans: The peddler wins our sympathy for his way of life and how the world treats him.
It is an admitted fact that the underdog always runs away with sympathy, so does
the peddler with the rattraps. He begs the material like wire for his rattraps. His
business not being specially profitable, he resorts to begging and petty thievery to
keep body and soul together.
His life is sad and monotonous. He plods along the road lost in his own meditation.
The world has never been very kind to him and he feels happy in calling it a rattrap.
Whenever, he asks shelter for the night, he meets sour faces. He is an unwelcome,
unwanted and undesirable figure. The blacksmiths at forge glance at him only
casually and indifferently. The master blacksmith nods a haughty consent without
honouring him with a single word.
The old and lonely crofter finds him an enjoyable company. The ironmaster mistakes
him for an old regimental comrade. Only Edla Willmansson behaves with him in a
kind, friendly manner. Her nice treatment arouses the tramp’s goodness. He
redeems himself Hy returning the stolen money and wins our admiration. Thus, we
see that the sympathy is not only well earned but well justified too.

Q2. The story also focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond with
others.
Ans: There are at least three characters in the story who suffer from loneliness and
express the need to bond with others. They represent three strata of the human
society as well. The peddler with the rattraps, the old crofter and the ironmaster all
suffer from loneliness. The peddler is called a tramp, a vagabond and stranger at
various points of the story. He moves wearily from one place to the other. He is lost
in his own thoughts. He seeks shelter for night and people look at him with sour
faces. Even the blacksmiths look haughtily at him and nod consent. The old crofter
suffers from loneliness as he has neither wife nor child with him. Hence, he feels
happy when he gets the peddler to talk to in his loneliness.
The ironmaster is also lonely in his manor house. His wife Elizabeth has died and
his sons are abroad. There is no one at home except his oldest daughter and
himself. His requests to Captain von Stehle to accompany him show his need for
human bonding. He admits frankly that they didn’t have any company for Christmas.
The stranger turns down the request not because he is against bonding with others
but because he fears being caught with stolen money.

Q3. Have you known/heard of an episode where a good deed or an act of

kindness has changed a person’s view of the world?
Ans: Yes, I know how the kindness of a Bishop transformed a hard-hearted beastly
convict into a man again with faith in God and human values. The story is presented
in the form of a famous play ‘The Bishop’s Candlesticks’
The Bishop provides food and shelter at midnight to a runaway convict who
threatens him with a knife. Long years of imprisonment and harsh treatment in the
prisonship has transformed the man into beast and he is devoid of all human
feelings now. The convict runs away with the Bishop’s silver candlesticks, but is
caught by the police.
In order to save the convict from further punishment and torture, the Bishop tells the
police officer that the fellow is his friend and he had himself given him the
candlesticks. This kind act of the Bishop melts the hard heart of the convict. He sobs
and weeps. He promises to be a man again.

Q4. The story is both entertaining and philosophical. Discuss.

Ans: The story entertains us by providing glimpses into human nature and how
people react to various situations. The actions of the peddler after stealing thirty
kronor are quite amusing. The reactions of the blacksmiths to the tramp’s request for
shelter show how casual and indifferent human beings can be.
The U-turn in the ironmaster’s attitude towards the stranger reveal how selfish and
ignorant human beings can be. Mistaking the vagabond for his old regimental
comrade, whom he thinks he has run across unexpectedly, he asks the stranger to
accompany him home and spend Christmas with them. When the stranger refuses
to go with him, the ironmaster sends his daughter. With her better persuasive power
she makes him follow her.
The ironmaster is annoyed on seeing the stranger in broad daylight. But instead of
realising his own mistake, he puts the blame on the man. He talks of handing him
over to the sheriff. The metaphor of the world being a rattrap saves the situation for
the tramp, but the ironmaster wants to turn him out. His daughter’s comments are
quite entertaining and philosophical. She wants the tramp to enjoy a day of peace.
Secondly, she does not want to chase away a person whom they had invited home
and had promised Christmas cheer.

WORKING WITH WORDS

Q1. The man selling rattraps is referred to by many terms such as “peddler,
stranger” etc. Pick out all such references to him. What does each of these
labels indicate of the context or the attitude of the people around him.
Ans: Initially, the man who went around selling small rattraps of wire is called a
Vagabond’ for he plodded along the road, left to his own meditations. He is referred
to as “stranger” by the narrator while describing his meeting with the old crofter.
When he leaves the next day he is described as “the man with rattraps.’ When he
returns half an hour later to steal money he is called ‘the rattrap peddler.’
For the blacksmiths at the forge he is an intruder. The narrator now refers to him as
a ‘tramp’. For the rich ironmaster he is a “ragamuffin’. Since he had never seen the
ironmaster or known his name, the man with rattraps is called a ‘stranger’. He is
described as ‘stranger* while he stretches himself out on the floor when the
ironmaster leaves. The label sticks to him during his stay at the manor house as a
guest. These descriptions also suggest the degree of social difference ^between the
persons and the peddler of rattraps and their attitude towards him.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Q1. What is the theme of the story ‘The Rattrap’ ? How has this theme been
developed?
Ans: The theme of the story is that most human beings are prone to fall into the trap
of material benefit. However, every human being has an essential goodness that
can be awakened through understanding and love. A human being has the tendency
to redeem himself from dishonest ways.
The theme is developed with the help of the metaphor of the rattrap. The peddler of
rattraps calls the world a big rattrap. The material benefits like riches and joys,
shelter and food, heat and clothing are temptations that that allure a person to fall
into the rattrap of the world exactly as the bait of cheese and pork attract a rat to fall
into the rattrap. Once someone takes the bait, the world closes in on him and then
everything is lost.
The peddler is tempted by the thirty kronors of the old crofter. He steals the money.
Now he is afraid of being caught and moves through the woods. It is the kind,
sympathetic, loving and generous treatment given by Edla Willmansson that helps
him get himself free from the rattrap of the world.