The Rattrap
- Selma Lagerlof
1. What is the theme of the story ‘The Rattrap’?
The theme of the chapter resolves around the importance of kindness and empathy, and how these
emotions can bring about a positive change in others around. The story highlights the facts that every
person has an essential goodness in them which can be aroused through love and understanding.
2. Describe the personality of the rattrap seller?
Ans- The rattrap seller was a victim of his circumstances that compelled him to wish ill for others. He
was an impoverished vagabond who was meted with abusive behaviour in most cases which led to him
having the strongest of philosophy in life. He was an antihero of the story who finally found redemption
because of the kind act of Edla Willmansson.
3. What was the philosophy of his life?
Ans-The rattrap seller believed the world to be a rattrap where every item of luxury was a bait that if
desired or asked for would trap the person from which it would be near impossible to break out.
4. What kind of hospitality was received from the crofter?
Ans-The rattrap seller had sought for shelter from the crofter which was easily given to him. The crofter
was kind and hospitable, offered him hot porridge, played mjölis, and discussed his life in details. He
further informed the tramp about his productive cow whose milk earned him a lot of money.
5. What does his actions reveal about the crofter?
Ans- The crofter was chatty/garrulous because he was a lonely man with no family who himself craved
for company. Having revealed his source of income and money saved, the crofter further exposed himself
as a boastful and foolish person whose act of hospitality was not a selfless one.
6. What made the tramp realise that he was caught in a trap?
Ans- The vagabond did not respect the faith which was deposited in him and came back to steal his 30
kronors hanging in a leather pouch by the window despite the hospitality extended. Once with the money,
he could no longer take the highway and lost his way in the forest in the winter. It was then that he realised
that he himself was caught in a (rat)trap.
7. What was the attitude of the blacksmith and why?
Ans- The blacksmith was an employee at Ramsjö Ironworker who was used to beggars and paupers taking
shelter at night in the factory. So, having been employed himself he had no sympathy for the poor.
Therefore, he nodded with “haughty consent” at the tramp without sparing him a glance or showing an
iota of kindness.
8. Describe the character of the Ironmaster?
Ans- The Ironmaster was a proud and boastful man who had a business mind and was extremely vigilant
in his factory and was constantly on the lookout for any foreign element in his factory. It was there that
he met the rattrap seller and mistook him for Captain Von Stahle. The arrogant and bragging side of his
personality came forward when he questioned the decisions of his old comrade. He was persuasive by
nature and was used to getting he wanted. When he could not convince the tramp to come home, he sent
his daughter to do so. Evidently, he loved his daughter a lot.
9. Why did the peddler not reveal his identity?
Ans- The Ironmaster had mistaken the peddler for his old regimental comrade and the tramp made no
effort to correct him because he wanted shelter in the cold night for the forge, and was afraid that the
Ironmaster would drive him away on knowing his true identity.
10. Describe Edla.
Ans- Edla was the daughter of the Ironmaster of Ramsjö Ironmaster who was not pretty but extremely
compassionate, kind, and intelligent. Edla upheld the true spirit of Christmas when despite knowing that
possibly the rattrap seller was a convict and not the Captain. She still invited him home and treated him
like a Captain. She even prevented her father from driving away the man in the cold nights when his true
identity was revealed because she believed in the innate goodness in man. Her faith in the tramp yielded
good result when he rectified his way to rise up to the level of a Captain.
11. Kindness can change a person. Elucidate.
Ans- The author, Selma Lagerlöf focuses on the innate goodness in man that is often corrupted due to
circumstances, but kindness and empathy inevitably have a bearing on human nature, and can change it
for the better.
The rattrap seller was a pessimistic human being because he was always at the receiving end of men’s
callous behaviour. While the crofter’s hospitality was motivated by selfishness, the haughty attitude of
the blacksmith was a bug putt off. The Ironmaster too changed colours like a chameleon when the true
identity of the tramp was discovered. But it was Edla Williamson compassionate and considerate nature
that made her treat the peddler with respect despite gauging empathy, rather than pity made the peddler
feel respected. He started having faith in human nature that made him change his ways and behave with
integrity.
12. Explain the context of the rattrap seller’s letter to Edla.
Ans- The letter that the peddler left for Edla Willmansson is witness to the fact that kindness and sympathy
can redeem the basest of characters.
Despite gauging that the tramp was not Captain Von Stahle, Edla did not feel the need to disrespect him
or drive him out of her house on a cold December night. Her faith in the goodness in the peddler, albeit
hidden, made him regain confidence in his own self. Having been positively influenced by Edla’s
compassion, he decided to behave honourably like a true Captain would, and returned the thirty kronors
stolen from the crofter.
Displaying courage like a true army officer. The peddler had decided to turn a new page in his life.