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Nils Olof and the Rattrap's Redemption

The story is set in the iron mines of Sweden and follows a peddler who lives a sad life begging and stealing to earn a living. One night while lost in a forest, he steals money from an old crofter who had given him food and shelter. He is caught in the trap of his own dishonest ways. The peddler is then invited to the manor house of the wealthy iron mill owner, mistaken for an acquaintance. Though initially refusing the invitation, he accepts on the assurance of Edla, the owner's compassionate daughter. On Christmas Eve, treated with warmth, he confesses his crime and leaves a gift the next day expressing thanks for raising him from an ordinary peddler and returning the

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185 views3 pages

Nils Olof and the Rattrap's Redemption

The story is set in the iron mines of Sweden and follows a peddler who lives a sad life begging and stealing to earn a living. One night while lost in a forest, he steals money from an old crofter who had given him food and shelter. He is caught in the trap of his own dishonest ways. The peddler is then invited to the manor house of the wealthy iron mill owner, mistaken for an acquaintance. Though initially refusing the invitation, he accepts on the assurance of Edla, the owner's compassionate daughter. On Christmas Eve, treated with warmth, he confesses his crime and leaves a gift the next day expressing thanks for raising him from an ordinary peddler and returning the

Uploaded by

mvharshini2006
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Lesson 4 THE RATTRAP

- By Selma Lagerloff
THEME: The trap of material benefit that most human beings are prone to fall into
SUB-THEME: The human tendency to redeem oneself from dishonest ways
IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER:
1. The story -set- in the mines of Sweden-rich in iron ore.
2. Tramp- physical appearance: had sunken cheeks; eyes gleamed with hunger led
a sad &dull life
-lived in rags.
-earned his living by selling rattraps-business not profitable.
-resorted to-begging & thievery.
-Philosophical thought- whole world a big rattrap-attracts people with riches, joy shelter,
food, clothing just as cheese & pork attract a rat.
3. Peddler's meeting the Crofter :
One day-dark evening-saw little gray cottage & asked for shelter
Owner old man-alone-needed company- welcomed the peddler.
Old man-Crofter at Ramsjo ironworks earlier, now-had a cow-by selling milk had earned
about 30 kronor-money hung in leather bag near window frame.
crofter-hospitable- offered porridge to eat, tobacco, played cards'
next morning the tramp left - returned half an hour later-stole the money.
Walked on public highway -went to the forest- lost his way-realised caught in trap.
4. Peddler's meeting the owner of the Iron mill:
Owner of the mill-rich; on night inspection-saw peddler-mistook for Nils Olof(Captain von
Stahle)-invited him to the Manor house-peddler refused the invitation.
5. Owner sent his daughter Edla Willmansson:
Edla not pretty, modest, shy, compassionate.
She sensed that either the peddler has escaped from jail or stolen something.
The peddler accepted the invitation on Edla's assurance that he could go back as freely as he
would come.
6. Christmas Eve:
Peddler-bathed, shaven, wore clean new clothes-owner realized his mistake.
Peddler confessed not being acquaintance; said he had been forced to come to the house;
reacted angrily to threat of calling the police by the iron master.
Edla requested her father to allow the peddler to stay for Christmas Eve.
Peddler was gifted a suit; treated with warmth,
7. Christmas Morning:
Edla & her father went to church-heard about the theft at crofter's house by a peddler-worried return
home-peddler had left a package for Edla.
Package contained-small rattrap, three wrinkled ten kronor notes & a letter for Edla -expressing
thanks for raising him to the level of Captain from an ordinary peddler & asking her to return the
money to the old man.
CHARACTERS:
1 Peddler: dishonest, thief, deceives people, ungrateful-later Edla's kindness & love
changes him to an honest, grateful person.
2. Edla: not pretty but kind, shy, modest.
3. Iron Master: helpful, kind, loses patience quickly, loving father.
4. Crofter: friendly, loved the company of people, talkative, hospitable, easily trusts others.

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