Subject: English
Class: XII
Chapter: 4 The Rattrap
Notes
About the Author
Selma Lagerlöf (1858–1940)
o Swedish writer, Nobel Prize laureate (1909).
o Her works reflect a deep faith in the innate goodness of humanity, which can be
awakened through compassion and love.
o Known for weaving moral lessons into simple tales often resembling fairy tales.
o The Rattrap reflects her universal theme of redemption and human kindness.
Central Theme of the Story
Life is like a rattrap: full of temptations (riches, joys, food, shelter, luxuries) that act like bait.
Humans are vulnerable: once tempted, they fall into the “trap of the world,” leading to
suffering.
Compassion redeems: The story shows how understanding and kindness can awaken the
hidden goodness in a person.
Key Plot Development
The Vagabond’s Struggles
Peddler made small rattraps out of begged materials.
His business was not profitable → forced to beg and steal.
Poverty: clothes in rags, hollow cheeks, hunger in his eyes.
Life was monotonous and lonely; he walked aimlessly.
Discovery of the Rattrap Metaphor
While walking, he compared the world to a rattrap.
The world offers bait (comforts, riches, food) to trap people.
He found unwonted joy in thinking ill of the world.
Derived satisfaction imagining others getting trapped.
Hospitality of the Crofter
Crofter lived alone, happy to get company.
Welcomed the peddler with food, tobacco, and games.
Shared details of his livelihood:
o Earned 30 kronor from his cow’s milk.
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o Proudly showed the notes to the peddler.
Crofter’s talkativeness came from loneliness.
Betrayal of Trust
Next morning, crofter locked the house.
Peddler returned, broke the window, stole the 30 kronor.
Betrayed the trust placed in him.
Lost in the Forest
Avoided public highway, wandered into the woods.
The dense forest became an impenetrable prison.
Realised he too had fallen into the trap of the rattrap.
Felt despair, hopelessness, and awaited death.
Arrival at Ramsjö Ironworks
Heard hammer strokes → followed sound → reached forge.
Entered to warm himself by the furnace.
Blacksmith and helper ignored him; tramp looked poor, ragged, tired.
Master blacksmith gave a haughty nod of consent for him to stay.
Important Expressions and Word Meanings
Keep body and soul together → to survive with bare minimum needs.
Plods along the road → walks slowly and heavily due to fatigue.
Impenetrable prison → a place impossible to escape, here the forest.
Eased his way → managed to move gradually and carefully.
Things have gone downhill → decline in fortune or condition.
Hunger gleamed in his eyes → visible signs of starvation.
Unwonted joy → unusual, unexpected happiness.
Nodded a haughty consent → unwilling and arrogant gesture of agreement.
Fallen into a line of thought → lost in a train of reflection or imagination.
Character Sketches
The Peddler
Poor, lonely, vagabond, petty thief.
Cynical: saw the world as a rattrap.
Weak-willed: betrays trust (steals 30 kronor).
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Vulnerable: realises his own entrapment in the forest.
Represents the struggle between temptation and redemption.
The Crofter
Lonely old man, warm-hearted and hospitable.
Generous with food, tobacco, and companionship.
Trusting: showed his savings proudly.
His kindness highlights the peddler’s moral failure when he steals.
The Blacksmith
Hard-working, strong, indifferent to strangers.
Represents society’s indifference to the poor and needy.
Allowed the tramp to stay silently, without sympathy.
Summary Table
Aspect Details
Author Selma Lagerlöf, Swedish Nobel laureate, believer in human goodness.
Central Idea The world is like a rattrap, offering baits that trap humans in misery.
Setting Sweden – countryside, crofter’s cottage, dense forest, Ramsjö Ironworks.
Main
The Peddler, The Crofter, The Blacksmith.
Characters
Peddler’s struggles → discovers rattrap idea → Crofter’s hospitality → theft → lost
Key Events
in forest → ironworks.
Themes Poverty, loneliness, betrayal, temptation, human kindness, redemption.
Symbols Rattrap = world’s temptations; Forest = prison; Crofter = trust & kindness.
Context of the Passage
The passage is taken from Selma Lagerlöf’s story The Rattrap, which presents a symbolic
theme that the world itself is a rattrap, offering temptations to trap human beings.
The given extract highlights the meeting between the tramp (peddler) and the ironmaster, the
mistaken identity episode, and the compassionate role of the ironmaster’s daughter, Edla
Willmansson.
Detailed Explanation
The Ironmaster’s Appearance in the Forge
Ramsjö Iron Mill was owned by a wealthy and ambitious ironmaster who supervised work
even during the night.
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On one of his nightly rounds, he spotted the peddler sitting close to the furnace in wet, shabby
clothes.
Unlike the blacksmiths, who ignored the tramp, the ironmaster took a keen interest in him.
Mistaken Identity
The ironmaster mistook the ragged tramp for his old regimental comrade, Captain Nils Olof.
He removed the peddler’s hat to confirm his face and immediately addressed him warmly.
The peddler, though he had never seen the ironmaster before, decided not to reveal the truth,
hoping for some money or help.
Invitation to the Manor House
The ironmaster invited the tramp to his home for Christmas, assuming him to be an old friend.
The tramp declined, fearing exposure and possible trouble because of the stolen thirty kronor.
The ironmaster interpreted his refusal as embarrassment due to shabby clothing and tried to
reassure him.
Despite repeated persuasion, the tramp continued to decline the offer.
Role of Edla Willmansson
Later, the ironmaster sent his daughter, Edla, to persuade the tramp.
Edla approached him kindly, addressing him as “Captain,” and assured him that he was free
to leave whenever he wished.
Her compassionate and respectful tone gave the tramp confidence, and he agreed to
accompany her to the manor.
Arrival at the Manor House
The tramp was taken to the manor in a fur coat provided by Edla.
On the way, however, he regretted stealing the thirty kronor and felt he had fallen into the very
rattrap he always imagined.
The Next Morning
On Christmas Eve morning, the ironmaster eagerly looked forward to spending time with his
old comrade.
Edla expressed doubts about the tramp’s background, but her father reassured her that the
tramp would prove to be a respectable man once cleaned and dressed.
The tramp was bathed, shaved, and dressed in fine clothes belonging to the ironmaster.
The Truth Revealed
In daylight, the ironmaster realized his mistake — the tramp was not Captain Nils Olof.
The tramp admitted his true identity as a poor peddler and explained that he never tried to
deceive intentionally.
The ironmaster grew angry and even hinted at involving the sheriff.
The Tramp’s Philosophy of the Rattrap
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The tramp boldly explained his view that the world is like a rattrap full of temptations that trap
people.
He said if he were punished now, even the ironmaster might one day be caught in the rattrap
of desires.
Amused by his words, the ironmaster decided not to call the sheriff but ordered him to leave.
Edla’s Compassion
As the tramp was about to leave, Edla requested her father to let him stay for Christmas Eve.
Her kindness reflected her humane and empathetic nature, which later became the turning
point in the tramp’s transformation.
Important Word Meanings
Ragamuffin – A person dressed in dirty, shabby clothes.
Deigned – To do something unwillingly, considering it beneath one’s dignity.
Slouch hat – A wide-brimmed hat usually worn carelessly.
Regiment – A military unit.
Lion’s den – A dangerous or risky situation.
Valet – A male servant attending to a gentleman’s personal needs.
Forebodings – Feelings that something bad will happen.
Dissimulate – To disguise or conceal one’s true feelings.
Interceded – To intervene or plead on someone’s behalf.
Summary Table
Aspect Explanation
Setting Ramsjö Iron Mill and later the manor house
Main Characters The peddler (tramp), the ironmaster, Edla Willmansson
Key Incident Ironmaster mistakes the tramp for an old regimental comrade
Ironmaster’s Reaction Warmly invites him home for Christmas
Peddler’s Response Refuses initially out of fear of being exposed
Edla’s Role Persuades the tramp with kindness and compassion
Truth Revealed The tramp admits he is not Captain Nils Olof
Philosophical View The world is like a rattrap, trapping people through temptations
Resolution in Extract Ironmaster wants him gone, but Edla pleads for him to stay
Context of the Passage
This section deals with the climax and resolution of the story.
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Edla Willmansson’s kindness becomes the turning point in the tramp’s life, leading to his
moral awakening.
The tramp, once trapped in temptation and deceit, redeems himself through gratitude and
honesty.
Detailed Explanation
Edla’s Compassionate Appeal
Edla intervenes and persuades her father not to drive the tramp away.
She argues that he is a lonely wanderer, unwelcome everywhere, and deserves at least one
day of peace.
She insists that Christmas is about generosity and compassion, and it would be wrong to
send away someone whom they themselves invited.
The ironmaster, though reluctant, gives in to his daughter’s insistence.
Christmas Eve at Ramsjö
The tramp is treated with dignity and offered Christmas cheer.
He sleeps peacefully for long stretches, a luxury he hadn’t experienced in years.
He eats heartily during meals and joins briefly in the Christmas celebration.
Edla further assures him that the suit he wore was his Christmas present and that he was
welcome to return next Christmas if he wished.
The tramp remains silent but deeply amazed by her kindness.
News from the Church
On Christmas morning, Edla and her father go to church.
There they learn that the peddler had robbed a poor crofter who had once sheltered him.
The ironmaster immediately regrets bringing the tramp home, fearing theft of valuables.
On their return, however, they discover that the tramp had already left the manor.
The Unexpected Gift
Instead of stealing, the tramp leaves behind a small package for Edla.
Inside the package is:
o A small rattrap.
o The stolen thirty kronor, returned to be given back to the crofter.
o A letter written in jagged handwriting.
The Letter of Transformation
In the letter, the tramp thanks Edla for treating him with kindness and dignity.
He admits that her generosity allowed him to redeem himself and avoid being trapped like a
rat in the world’s temptations.
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He signs the letter as Captain von Stahle, symbolizing his rebirth as an honourable man, not
a petty thief.
The story ends on a note of moral redemption and transformation through compassion.
Important Word Meanings
Interceded – Pleaded on someone’s behalf.
Dejectedly – With sadness or disappointment.
Valet – A servant attending to personal needs.
Crofter – A poor farmer who cultivates small land.
Porcelain – Fine white ceramic material, here symbolic of delicate Christmas crockery.
Amazement – Great surprise or wonder.
Jagged characters – Rough or uneven handwriting.
Noble – Possessing high moral qualities.
Redeem – To save or free oneself from wrongdoing.
Summary Table
Aspect Explanation
Edla’s Role Persuades her father to let the tramp stay; offers kindness and trust.
Tramp’s
Sleeps peacefully, eats heartily, and enjoys safety and dignity at Ramsjö.
Experience
Ironmaster’s Fear Learns from church that tramp had robbed a crofter; fears loss of valuables.
Tramp’s Action Leaves without stealing; returns the stolen thirty kronor in a rattrap.
The Letter Expresses gratitude, admits near fall into life’s rattrap, and redeems himself.
Signs as “Captain von Stahle,” showing transformation from thief to
Signature
honourable man.
Compassion and kindness have the power to awaken the goodness in human
Theme Highlighted
beings.