DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, RUDRAPUR

THE RATTRAP
REFERENCE NOTES

KINDNESS BEGETS KINDNESS

Theme of the chapter:

The central theme of “The Rattrap” revolves around the transformative power of compassion and human
connection. The key themes are:
1. Human Kindness:
o The story portrays the potential for positive change within people through acts of kindness. The
peddler, initially cynical and trapped in his own worldview, experiences true generosity from
Edla Willmansson on Christmas Eve. This kindness leads him to return stolen money and
declare himself free, highlighting the transformative impact of compassion 1.
2. Trust vs. Cynicism:
o At the beginning, the peddler views life as a rattrap—a world that offers bait (luxuries and
pleasures) but ensnares and ruins those who reach for it. However, the story challenges this
cynical perspective by showing its limitations. Life can be harsh, but trust and kindness can
break the cycle of cynicism.
3. Loneliness and Companionship:
o The peddler’s extreme loneliness drives him to steal and lie. The story emphasizes the negative
effects of isolation and highlights the basic human need for companionship and community.
Edla’s kindness provides the peddler with a sense of connection and changes his outlook.
4. Identity and Naming:
o The story also explores identity construction through actions and choices. It suggests that
identity is fluid, shaped by our decisions and interactions with others. Names play a role in this
process, and people can change or inhabit different identities based on their choices.
Character sketch of the peddler :
 Background and Appearance:
o The peddler is an unnamed man who lives as a tramp, wandering the countryside. He survives
by selling rattraps made from stolen or begged wire. His ragged appearance and constant
hunger reveal the hardships he endures.
o Despite his good nature, the peddler has grown cynical due to societal rejection. Wealthier
individuals look down on him, reinforcing his resentment and disheartenment3.
 Initial Mindset:
o At the start of the story, the peddler is opportunistic and trusts no one. He even steals money
from the crofter who offers him hospitality. His worldview revolves around the idea that life is
a cruel rattrap, ensnaring those who touch its bait.
 Transformation:
o True kindness from Edla Wilmansson changes the peddler’s mindset. He returns the stolen
money and declares his desire to “be nice.” Edla’s compassion frees him from the metaphorical
rattrap of life, revealing the latent potential for goodness in all human beings.
Character Sketch of Edla Willmansson
Miss Edla Willmansson is the eldest daughter of the owner of the Ramsjo Ironworks. She is not pretty, but
modest and quite shy. She is quite obedient and visits the forge at the behest of her father. She has a wonderful
power of observation and takes quick judgement. From the stranger's frightened looks, she concludes that he
is either a thief or a runaway mavict. She uses her skills of persuasion to make the stranger agree to
accompany her home. Her compassionate looks, friendly manner and polite way of address help her. She tells
her father that nothing about the man shows that once he was an educated man. She believes in the spirit of
Christmas and intercedes on behalf of the stranger to persuade her father to let him stay and be happy. She
first makes a passionate plea and then argues that they should not chase away a person they had invited
themselves and promised Christmas cheer.
Character Sketch of the Iron Master
The Ironmaster is an authoritative and imposing figure, used to being in control. He is quick to judge, as
shown when he mistakes the peddler for an old friend due to poor lighting. The Ironmaster is strict and
expects discipline and order from those around him. He is also persuasive, trying hard to convince the peddler
to come home with him.
Despite his stern nature, the Ironmaster cares deeply for his daughter, Edla, and respects her opinions. This is
seen when he listens to her and allows the peddler to stay for Christmas.
The Ironmaster can be stubborn, especially when he feels strongly about something, and takes pride in his
status and position. However, he is also fair-minded, ultimately respecting Edla’s compassionate decision to
help the peddler. This mix of strictness, pride, and underlying care makes the Ironmaster a complex and
interesting character in the story.
Answer the questions in brief :
[Link] where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?
[Link] peddler had been thinking about his rattraps when suddenly he was struck by the idea that the whole
world was nothing but a big rattrap. He believed that the world existed only to set baits for people, just like his
rattraps offered cheese and pork. As soon as someone let themselves be tempted by the bait, the world closed
in on them, and everything came to an end.

Q2. Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?
Ans. The crofter's circumstances and temperament made him talkative and friendly. Since he had no wife or
child, he was happy to have someone to talk to in his loneliness. Additionally, he was quite generous with his
confidences.
Q3. What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?
[Link] peddler realized that he must not walk on the public highway with the stolen money in his pocket. He
went into the woods, kept walking without reaching the end, and then understood that he had fallen into a
rattrap. He had let himself be fooled by a bait and had been caught.
Q4. Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?
[Link] ironmaster mistook the peddler for his old regimental comrade, Captain Von Stahle, due to the
uncertain reflection from the furnace. This led him to speak kindly and invite the peddler [Link]
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.
Q5. Why did the peddler decline the invitation of the ironmaster?
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.

Q6. 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.
Q8. 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.
Q9. 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.
Q10. 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.
Q11. 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.

Q12. 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 embarrassed at the Christmas season by a
thief.
[Link] 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.

Answer the questions in detail:

1. How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter, the
ironmaster and his daughter?

Ans: The peddler was a man who went around selling small rattraps of wire. He was leading a sad and
monotonous life of a vagabond. He knocked at the door of the cottage of the crofter who turned out to be an
old man without wife and children. He showed his ‘ kindness and hospitality towards him which the peddler
had not expected.
But the rattrap peddler stole his thirty kronors. Thus he betrayed the confidence reposed in him by the crofter.
The ironmaster, thinking him as an old acquaintance Captain Von Stahle, showed kindness to him and invited
him to spend the Christmas evening with him.
But the peddler thought that if the ironmaster thought that he was an old acquaintance, he might give him a
couple of kronor. That is why he did not reveal his true identity. Edla Willmansson, the daughter of the
ironmaster requested him to go to her home in a very compassionate and friendly manner. He accepted to go
to their home. But while he was riding to the manor house, he had “evil forebodings”.
He was feeling guilty for stealing the crofter’s money. The ironmaster, after knowing that he was not the
captain, asked him to go out of the house immediately. But due to the insistence of Edla he was allowed to
spend the Christmas evening in their house. The peddler wondered why she did it. But he interpreted it as her
nobleness, kindness and generosity.
2. 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 misunderstood the peddler for an old acquaintance,whereas his daughter could make out
that the man was afraid, which was suggestive of himhaving stolen something. Though the father and the
daughter express compassion for the vagabond both do so for different reasons .The ironmaster was sure to
help the vagabond get over his tramp manners because he had mistaken the latter for his old comrade. The
daughter however wishes to feed him and welcome him inspite of knowing that he was not Captain Von
Stahle. The father acts impulsively and casually and invites him without confirming the stranger’s identity. On
realizing his mistake he recklessly wants to hand him over to the sheriff. Only when he is threatened to be
ensnared by the rattrap of this world that he thinks otherwise. Edla on the other hand shows a strong sense of
observation. She rightly judges him to be a tramp without any education. She persuades her father to let him
stay because they had promised him Christmas cheer. When the blacksmith’s daughter infects the protagonist
with her true altruism the peddler’s inner soul experiences a rapid transformation form an ugly duckling to a
dazzling swan.

3. The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to others’ behaviour. Pick
out instances of these surprises.

Ans:The first instance is that of the crofter’s hospitality to the peddler. The rattrap peddler, used to being
shooed away, was surprised at the friendly behaviour of the crofter. The peddler was also surprised at the
sudden invitation given by the ironmaster, who was himself shocked to realise his mistake in recognising the
peddler, the next day. Another unexpected reaction, for both the peddler and the ironmaster, is Edla’s
intervention to seek peddler’s presence for Christmas. However, the most unexpected reaction is from the
peddler when he leaves the package and the letter for Edla, showing gratitude to the girl’s hospitality and
respect for him.

[Link] made the peddler finally change his ways ?

Ans: The peddler besides selling small rattraps of wire was a petty thief also. He stole thirty kronors from the
house of the crofter, who was kind enough to allow him to stay in his house for a night and showered his best
possible hospitality on him. But it was the compassionate, kind, generous and friendly behaviour of Edla
Willmansson, the ironmaster’s daughter, which finally changed him.
The ironmaster had invited him to his house thinking that he was an old regimental comrade. When he
realised that the peddler was not his old acquaintance, but a stranger, he asked him to leave his house
immediately. But Edla showing sympathy and pity on him, persuaded her father to’ allow him spend the
Christmas with them. Thus, her behaviour aroused his conscience. and he gave her gift of a rattrap and
requested her to return the thirty kronors of the crofter, which he had stolen.

[Link] does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human predicament ?
Ans:In the story The Rattrap’, the peddler goes around selling small rattraps of wine. Thinking of his rattraps,
he was struck by the idea that the whole world around him with its lands and seas, its cities and villages-was
nothing but a big rattrap. He thought that the world had never existed for any other purpose than to set baits
for people.
The world offered riches and joys, shelter and food, heat and clothing, exactly as the rattrap offered cheese
and pork. As soon as anyone let himself be tempted to touch the bait, it closed in on him, and then everything
came to an end. This is how the metaphor of the rattrap serves to highlight the human predicament. The more
we are allured by the worldly things, the more we are entrapped by them. And then there is no way out.

[Link] peddler comes out as a person with a subtle sense of humour. How does this serve in lightening
the seriousness of the theme of the story and also endear him to us?

Ans:The peddler was endowed with a great sense of humour. He compares the world about him with a rattrap,
which sets baits for the people. As the world had never been kind to him, so it gave him “unwonted joy” to
think ill of it in this way. It was his pastime to think Of the people he knew who had let themselves be caught
in the dangerous snare, and of others who were still circling around the bait. It shows his sense of humour. As
he walked along with the stolen money of crofter, he felt “quite pleased with his smartness”.
When he was entrapped in the forest he recalled about the world and the rattrap. He thought that “his own turn
had come”, which also shows his sense of humour. He thought that he had let himself be fooled by a bait and
had been caught. When the blacksmith “nodded a haughty consent” without, uttering a single word, he did not
mind. He thought that he had not come there to talk but only to warm himself and sleep.
He did not reveal his real identity to the ironmaster because he thought that thinking him as an old
acquaintance, the ironmaster might perhaps “throw him a couple of kronor”. While riding up to the manor
house he thought that he was sitting in the trap and will never get out of it. When the ironmaster realised that
he was not his old acquaintance and threatened to call the sheriff, he told him that the whole world is nothing
but a big rattrap and the ironmaster began to laugh. His letter written to Edla also shows his sense of humour.
His sense of humour serves in lightening the seriousness of the theme of the story. It also endears him to us as
it evoked our sympathy with him.