4.
The Rattrap
Q.1 When did an idea suddenly strike to the peddler and what was it ?
Or
From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?
Ans. One day he had been thinking of his rattrap when suddenly he was stuck by the idea that the
whole world about him with its lands , seas, cities and villages was nothing but a big rattrap.
Q.2 Why was he amused by this idea ?
Ans. The peddler had never been treated well by the world so he felt happy thinking ill of the world.
That is why he was amused by the idea that the whole world around him nothing but a big
rattrap.
Q.3 Why was the old crofter so friendly and relaxed with the peddler ?
Or
Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler ?
Ans. The crofter had no wife. He was alone. He had no children. He was happy to have someone to
talk to in his loneliness.
Q.4 Why did he show the thirty kroner to the peddler?
Ans. The crofter was very proud of his cow that gave him enough milk to support him. He told
peddler that he had got thirty kronor last month as payment by supplying the milk to creamery.
The peddler seemed doubtful about it. So, in order to assure his guest he showed thirty kronor
to the peddler.
Q.5 Why did the peddler decline the invitation?
Ans. The peddler thought of the thirty kroner and realised that to go up the manor house would be
like throwing himself into the lion's den. So he declined the invitation and avoided .
Q.6 What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap ?
Ans. When the peddler turned off the public highway to take a short cut he got into a dense forest
that was a big and confusing. He lost in it. He tried his best to come out of it but he failed. At
last he thought that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?
Q.7 Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?
Ans. The ironmaster could not see him properly in poor light. He mistook him for an old acquain-
tance of him. So he spoke kindly to the pedder and invited him at home.
Q.8 When did the ironmaster realise his mistake ?
Ans. Next day ,at breakfast in the dinning. The stranger entered. He was well groomed. The ironmaster
saw him in broad day light. It was impossible to mistake him for an old friend now.
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Q.9 Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?
Ans. No, he did not show any respect to the confidence reposed in him by the crofter. Rather he
deceived him by stealing the thirty kroners.
Q.10 What made the peddler accept Edla Willmanson invitation?
Ans. Edla Willmanson looked at the peddler compassionately with her heavy eyes. she talked to
him in such a friendly manner that the rattrap peddler much have felt confidence in her to
accept her invitation.
Q.11 What did Miss Willmanson find in the package.?Why did she give a little cry of joy.?
Or
Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?
Or
Why did Miss Edla give a little cry of joy on opening the package left for her by the
peddler. ?
Ans. The peddler left for Edla a rattrap and the money he had stolen. He had requested her to return
the money to its owner. Edla was happy to see the gift at the thought that the peddler had
repented over his mistake?
Q.12 Why 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.
Q.13 Why did Edla still entertain the peddler even after she knew the truth about him ?
Ans. After Edla knew the truth about the peddler. She thought that ought not to chase away a human
being whom they had asked to come and to whom they had promised christmas cheer. ?
Q.14 How did the peddler reach the forge?
Ans. In the forest the peddler was upset with gloom and despair. He realised his end had come, tired
to death. He laid his head on the ground, heard a sound of regular thumping. He gussed there
must be some people nearby. He went up in the direction of the sound. Thus, he reached the
forge.
Q.15 What made the peddler finally change his ways ?
Ans. Edla Willmansson treated the tramp in a friendly manner. She was nice and kind to her. She
interceded on his behalf when her father was about to turn him out. She still entertained the
peddler even after knowing the truth about him. She offered him the snit as Christmas present
and invited him to spend the next Christmas with them. Her love and understanding aroused the
essential goodness of the peddler and he changed his ways.
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Q.16 Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter?
Ans. No, the peddler did not expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter. This
was because usually he was greeted by ‘sour’ and unfriendly faces whenever he knocked on
doors and requested for shelter.
Q.17 What doubts did Edla have about the peddler?
Ans. When Edla went to the iron mill to fetch the peddler, she noticed that he was frightened. She
had doubts that the peddler had stolen something or had escaped prison. His appearance and
behaviour also left her in doubts whether he was actually an educated man, as claimed by her
father.
Q.18 How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter,
the ironmaster and his daughter?
Ans. The different ways in which the peddler repaid the three people corresponds to the way he
interpreted the kindness of the three people. The peddler realised that for the crofter it was his
craving for company that led him to offer his hospitality. The ironmaster’s hospitality appar-
ently is limited to his acquaintances. It was only the daughter who genuinely offered warmth
and goodness to the peddler. He was touched by Edla’s kindness and it made him want to act
differently. He repaid her good treatment with a gesture of true gratitude.
Q.19 How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human predicament?
Ans. The metaphor of the rattrap signifies that the world exists only to trap people by setting baits
for them. Whenever someone is tempted by the luxuries, he ends up being caught in a danger-
ous trap. The author, thus, makes a much deeper comment on the woeful plight of those in
pursuit of the worldly pleasures, which often lead them to unfortunate situations. The story
helps in realising the importance of general goodness and kindness. The peddler is saved from
the snare of the huge rattrap called world only when he appreciates the kindness to him by
Edla.
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