THE RATTRAP
-Selma Lagerlöf
About the author:
Selma Lagerlöf, the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in literature, was a
Swedish writer. Through the captivating descriptive power of her stories, she
was able to capture the true essence of human existence.
Tone and Mood
The tone is neutral and measured, giving credence(acceptance of something
as true) to the vagabond's pessimism without outrightly(completely)
condoning(accept esp. a behaviour that is considered morally wrong or
offensive) it. The mood, however, is somewhat hopeful, especially through the
second half of the story, as the vagabond begins to be swayed by Edla's
kindness.
THEME:
Compassion and Kindness
Human Nature and Redemption
LITERARY DEVICES:
Metaphor
The rattrap as a metaphor for the world.
Example: The peddler’s belief that the world is a rattrap.
Irony
The Iron master's mistaken identity situation.
Example: The Iron master's treatment of the peddler changes when he
realizes his mistake.
Symbolism
The rattrap symbolizes the traps and temptations of life.
Example: The riches and joys that tempt people into the rattrap.
The signature symbolizes new identity and personal transformation.
Crofter’s cow symbolizes economic status and livelihood.
Personification
"The world" as "never [having] been very kind to" the vagabond , ascribing
emotions and preferences to the world.
Allusion
By setting the story during Christmas, and by drawing clear situational
parallels to the gospel stories of the birth of Christ, Lagerlöf alludes to the
New Testament.
Imagery
Lagerlöf largely relies on pastoral imagery and spare descriptions of the
Swedish countryside to create atmosphere.
Parallelism
There are clear parallels to the biblical story of Jesus's birth in that the
vagabond is searching for a place to take shelter. A large part of Edla's
motivation to host the vagabond is that it is Christmastime, and she feels
obliged to open up their house and offer the stranger some respite from his
constant struggles.
Allegory:
(This literary device means a story ,poem or picture that can be intepreted to
reveal a hidden meaning,typically a moral or political [Link] - Pilgrim’s
progress is an allegory of the spiritual journey)
In this lesson the peddler has come to the conclusion that the whole world is
like a rattrap and it had never existed for any other purpose than to set baits
for people. This is a pessimistic allegory and plays out on himself when he
steals the money and ends up in the [Link] through kindness of
others the allegory is reversed.
Foreshadowing:
The peddler’s theory about the world being a rattrap in the beginning
foreshadows the scenario he finds himself in the middle of the story.
Simile:
“Like an impenetrable prison from which he could never escape”.
“Like throwing himself voluntarily into the lion’s den”.
“As a bait for poor wanderers”.
Answer the following questions:
1. Why was the peddler amused by the idea of the world being a rattrap?
The peddler’s life was sad and monotonous. Since the world had never been
kind to him, he was full of bitterness and malice against it. He peddler
experienced unwonted joy at everyone’s discomfort, pain at being ensnared
by the devilish ways of the world. It gave him sadistic delight to see others
caught in the snare and still others cycling around the bait.
2. Comment on the metaphor of rattrap.
The metaphor of a rattrap reveals man’s helplessness in pursuit of life’s
ambitions. The world thus becomes a huge rattrap. Though one can’t see the
bars and wires yet one gets firmly entrenched in the quagmire(complicated or
difficult situation which is not easy to avoid or escape from) of situations and
circumstances. The pettiness and triviality(having little value or importance) of
life’s situations pull an individual deeper into the abyss(immeasurably deep) of
loss with no scope for deliverance(the state of being saved from a painful or
bad experience).
3. What made the peddler accept Edla’s invitation?
Edla’s kindness, persuasive nature, friendly and compassionate manner
allowed the peddler to have confidence in her. Her assurance that he would
be just as free to leave as he came left him with no option but to accept the
invitation.
4. Why did the peddler sign the letter as Captain Von Stahle?
The peddler signed the letter as Captain von Stahle because it symbolized his
transformation and redemption in Selma Lagerlöf's story "The Rattrap." After
being treated with kindness and respect by the ironmaster's daughter, Edla,
the peddler decided to change his ways. Otherwise he would have been a rat,
trapped in the rattrap of this planet. Signing the letter with the name Captain
von Stahle represented his aspiration to become a better person and his
gratitude towards Edla for trusting him despite his past misdeeds. The name
also suggested a newfound sense of honor and self-respect.