THE RATTRAP
NOTE-MAKING
1. About the man
a. Sold small rattraps (r)
b. Made them himself – material begged from stores / farms
c. Bsns not good → begging & petty theft
d. Appearance – sunken cheeks, hungry eyes, torn clothes, walked on the roads, sad life
2. The world is a rattrap
a. Compared the world to his rattraps
b. Life sets baits for ppl – offered material pleasures to ppl
c. When they try to attain them, everything ends
d. Thought often about materialistic desires of people he knew
3. Incident at the cottage
a. Asked for & got shelter for the night
b. Owner – lonely old man. Was a crofter at Ramsjo ironworks & a farmer. Now supported by
his cow – got 30 kroner for milk the prv month.
c. Gave rattrap peddler ( rp) food, tobacco & played cards with him. Trusted him.
d. Showed him where money was kept
e. Morning – both men left. Crofter to milk cow.
f. RP returned. Smashed window. Stole the money
4. Lost in the forest
a. Afraid of being caught – leaves main road. Walks through forest.
b. Gets lost
i. Went round in circles
ii. This was his r
iii. Exhausted. Lies down as night falls. Thinks he will die
iv. Hears sounds from Ramsjo iron works. Goes there
5. Incident at Ramsjo iron works
a. Master smith, helper and fire boy at work
b. Noisy – did not notice the rp till very close
c. Blacksmith used to this sight – gave permission for rp to stay
d. Owner comes to inspect. Particular about quality. Checks twice a day
e. Mistakes rp to be an old regimental soldier – Capt. Nils Olof
i. RP plays along – thinks he will get money
ii. Owner wants to take him home. Wife dead. Two sons abroad. Lives with daughter.
iii. RP not willing – will get caught (stealing)
iv. Ironmaster’s daughter (Edla Willmansson) arrives with valet. Gives rp a fur coat.
Takes rp home for Xmas eve.
6. Ironmaster wants to help – food & proper job.
a. Daughter doubts rp
b. RP completely groomed by valet. IM realises his mistake. Threatens to call police
c. RP gives his r philosophy. IM lets him go
d. Daughter insists on Xmas dinner – wants rp to enjoy one day
e. RP – ate and slept whole day. Confused about her behaviour
f. IM’s daughter gave rp a suit& invited next yr too
7. Xmas service – IM & daughter – church. Learn about rp’s thievery. IM expects own house burgled
8. RP left a gift for IM’s daughter. R with 30 kroner & letter. Asks her to return money to old man.
Signed note as Capt Von Stahle
THE RATTRAP - Question Bank
1. Describe the rattrap peddler.
2. What did he do to get by in life?
3. What was his opinion about his own life?
4. What comparison did he make one day?
5. Explain how the world is a rattrap.
6. What was his favourite pastime?
7. Who lived in the cottage – how did he make a living?
8. What did the old man do for the rattrap peddler?
9. What did the rattrap peddler do the next morning?
10. Why did the rattrap peddler want to leave the main road? Where did he go?
11. What happened in the forest?
12. Why was the forest a rattrap for him?
13. Why does he compare the forest to a prison?
14. Why did he feel his end was near?
15. What gave him hope?
16. What were the master smith and his helper doing?
17. Why could they not hear the rattrap peddler come in?
18. Why were they not surprised at the stranger’s arrival?
19. Describe the iron master.
20. Who did he mistake the rattrap peddler to be?
21. Why did the rattrap peddler play along?
22. Why did the rattrap peddler not want to go to the ironmaster’s home?
23. Why did the ironmaster think the man refused his offer?
24. How did he justify his offer?
25. What did the ironmaster do next?
26. What was the peddler doing when Edla arrived?
27. Why was he frightened? What did Edla make of his reaction?
28. What did the peddler think on his way to the mansion?
29. What did the iron-master want to do for the peddler? Why?
30. What was Edla’s apprehension?
31. How did the iron-master assure her?
32. When and how did the iron-master realise his mistake?
33. What did the rattrap peddler offer to do then?
34. Why did the iron-master let him go?
35. What did Edla want to do?
36. Why did she want the peddler to stay for Christmas?
37. What did the stranger do all of the following day?
38. What did Edla tell him after the Christmas dinner?
39. What did they get to know at the church?
40. What was the iron-master apprehensive of?
41. Why was Edla unhappy after church and later happy with her gift?
42. What was in the gift?
43. Why did the peddler sign off as Capt Von Stahle?
44. Why did he return the money?
45. Do you think the old cottage owner / the iron-master / Edla / the peddler was correct
in his/her behaviour – why / why not ?