THE RATTRAP
LONG QUESTION:
Q.1--The people we meet in life leave an impression on us. How is the rattrap peddler affected by
meeting the crofter and Edla? (Comptt. All India 2017)
Answer:
The good people we meet sometimes leave an impression on us. Compassion and understanding can
transform a person and bring out his essential human goodness. As is the case with the rattrap peddler
whose meeting with the crofter and Edla bring about a positive transformation in his nature. The lonely
old crofter was extremely kind to the peddler. Despite his hospitality the peddler stole his money and
committed a breach of trust. Edla too treated him nicely, even after she came to know his true identity.
The peddler who had always considered the world to be a rattrap that enclosed upon people finally felt
released from this rattrap due to the kind, generous and sympathetic treatment of the crofter and Edla.
He leaves behind a letter of thanks for Edla with a Christmas gift and the money he had stolen from the
crofter, to be restored to its rightful owner.
SHORT QUESTION:
1.-Describe the crofter’s meeting with the rattrap peddler.
Answer:
The crofter gave the rattrap peddler shelter for a night. He was very hospitable with the peddler. He
gave the peddler supper, tobacco to smoke, played cards with him and even shared his confidences with
him.
2.-Why was the peddler amused at the idea of the world being a rattrap?
Answer:
The world had never been very kind to the peddler. So it gave him unwanted joy to think of the world
with its lands and seas, cities and villages as nothing but a big rattrap that sets baits for people in the
form of riches, joys and other necessities, and as soon as one got tempted, it closed in on him.
3.-What brought about a change in the life of the peddler?
Answer:
Edla’s warmth, sympathy and compassion brought about a change in the life of the peddler. He is
touched by the kind treatment Edla gives him despite knowing his real identity. The latent goodness of
his heart is awakened and he actually behaves like a true Captain.
4.-Why didn’t the stranger tell the ironmaster that he was not Captain Nils Olof?
Answer:
When the ironmaster mistakes the stranger for Captain Nils Olof, an old regimental comrade, the
stranger decides not to correct him as hopes to get a couple of kronors from the ironmaster. So he does
not want to undeceive him all at once.
5.-Why did Edla plead with her father not to send the vagabond away? L
Answer:
Edla pleaded with her father not to send the vagabond away as it was Christmas eve and she wanted to
keep the spirit of Christmas alive. She wanted to provide the vagabond with a day of comfort and solace.
She justified that they had invited him against his will and since he was lonely she wanted to do
something special for him on Christmas eve.