Assignment 3
Q.1 What and where did Douglas have the misadventure?
Q.2. Why did Douglas join the YMCA pool?
Q. 3. How did the instructor make Douglas into a swimmer?
Q.4. What was Douglas plan to get out of the deep water at YMCA pool ?
Q. 5. Why did Douglas’ mother discourage him to swim at Yakima river?
The Rattrap
Page No: 34
1. From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?
Answer
One day the peddler was thinking of his rattraps. Suddenly he was struck by
an idea that the whole world with its lands and seas, its cities and villages was
nothing but a big rattrap. It offered riches and joys, shelter and food as baits in
the same manner as the rattrap offered cheese and pork. As soon as someone
touches the bait, he finds himself in the trap.
2. Why was he amused by this idea?
Answer
The peddler believed that the world with all its riches and joys, food and
shelter appears as a rattrap to tempt people. The world had never been kind to
him. It gave him unwonted joy to think ill of it. So he was amused to think
about the people who were already caught in the trap and others circling
around the bait.
3. Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the
crofter?
Answer
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.
4. Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?
Answer
The crofter was an old man without wife and children. He was living a
monotonous and dull life in solitude. He welcomed his guest very warmly. He
offered him food and shelter. Naturally, he was happy to get someone to talk to
in his loneliness. So he was talkative and friendly with the peddler.
5. Why did he show the thirty kroner to the peddler?
Answer
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.
6. Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?
Answer
No, the peddler did not respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter. In
fact, he betrayed his trust by robbing the thirty kronors from him.
However, later in the story, his conscience was awakened by his stay with the
Willmanssons and he decided to return the money.
Page No: 37
1. What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?
Answer
After stealing the crofter’s money, the peddler believed that it was not safe to
walk on the public highway. So he went into the woods. But it was a big and
confusing forest. He walked and walked but could not get out of it. The forest
having its trunks, branches and thickets appeared to him a big rattrap. Then
he realized that he had fallen into the rattrap.
2. Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?
Answer
In the uncertain reflection from furnace, the ironmaster mistook the peddler
as his old regimental comrade, Captain Von Stahle. His condition was very
miserable. So being an old acquaintance he wanted to help him. He also
wanted his company on Christmas Eve. So the ironmaster spoke kindly to the
peddler and invited him home.
3. Why did the peddler decline the invitation?
Answer
The peddler knew that the ironmaster had mistaken him as his old regiment
comrade. The invitation by the ironmaster did not please the peddler since the
he had the stolen money in his pocket. He thought that it would be like
throwing himself voluntarily into the lion’s den. He was feeling guilty and
frightened. So he declined the invitation.