THE RATTRAP
MCQs (with Answers)
1. Who is the author of “The Rattrap”?
a) William Blake
b) Selma Lagerlöf
c) Anton Chekhov
d) O. Henry
Answer: b) Selma Lagerlöf
2. What was the peddler’s occupation?
a) Selling iron rods
b) Selling rattraps
c) Selling clothes
d) Teaching
Answer: b) Selling rattraps
3. What does the rattrap symbolize in the story?
a) Poverty
b) Kindness
c) World’s materialistic temptations
d) Justice
Answer: c) World’s materialistic temptations
4. Who helped the peddler with food and money in the
cottage?
a) Ironmaster
b) Crofter
c) Edla
d) A stranger
Answer: b) Crofter
5. What name does the peddler sign at the end of the
story?
a) Peddler
b) Crofter
c) Captain Von Stahle
d) Rattrap seller
Answer: c) Captain Von Stahle
6. What did the peddler think of the world?
a) A safe place
b) A rattrap full of temptations
c) A peaceful home
d) A battlefield
Answer: b) A rattrap full of temptations
7. How did the peddler get caught in the forest?
a) He was chased by police
b) He followed the wrong path
c) He fell asleep
d) He was caught by Edla
Answer: b) He followed the wrong path
8. Why did the ironmaster invite the peddler home?
a) He wanted to help him
b) He mistook him for an old friend
c) He needed a worker
d) He wanted to arrest him
Answer: b) He mistook him for an old friend
9. How does the story end?
a) Peddler escapes with money
b) Peddler is arrested
c) Peddler returns stolen money and reforms
d) Ironmaster punishes the peddler
Answer: c) Peddler returns stolen money and reforms
10. Why did the peddler leave a letter for Edla?
a) To apologize for his misdeeds
b) To ask for money
c) To warn her about danger
d) To invite her to his home
Answer: a) To apologize for his misdeeds
11. What did Edla find in the package left by the
peddler?
a) More rattraps
b) Money and a letter
c) Christmas gifts
d) A map
Answer: b) Money and a letter
12. What lesson does “The Rattrap” teach?
a) Revenge is necessary
b) Crime always pays
c) Compassion and kindness can change people
d) Wealth is the ultimate goal
Answer: c) Compassion and kindness can change
people
SAQs (50 words each)
1. How does the story justify the title “The Rattrap”?
Answer: The story’s title symbolizes how the world is like
a rattrap, tempting humans with material gains, leading
to moral downfall. The peddler himself gets trapped but
is saved by Edla’s compassion, showing that kindness
can free one from life’s rattraps.
2. Why did the crofter trust the peddler so much?
Answer: The crofter was a lonely old man craving
companionship. When the peddler visited, he felt happy
to have someone to talk to and even showed him his
money to gain trust. His loneliness made him overly
trusting, which the peddler exploited.
3. What role does Edla play in transforming the
peddler’s life?
Answer: Edla treats the peddler with kindness and
dignity, inviting him home despite knowing his real
identity. Her compassion makes him introspect and
reform himself, leading him to return the stolen money
and sign as “Captain Von Stahle,” symbolizing his
change.
4. How does the peddler’s view of the world change by
the end of the story?
Answer: Initially, the peddler sees the world as a rattrap
full of temptations where everyone gets trapped. By the
end, Edla’s generosity makes him realize that kindness
and redemption can free one from these traps, changing
his outlook towards life and humanity.
5. Why did the ironmaster mistake the peddler for an old
regimental acquaintance?
Answer: The ironmaster saw the peddler in dim light at
the forge and assumed from his shabby appearance and
face that he was an old comrade, Captain Von Stahle.
The peddler didn’t correct him immediately, hoping to
benefit from his hospitality.
LAQs (100–120 words each)
1. Discuss the theme of compassion and redemption in
“The Rattrap”.
Answer: “The Rattrap” highlights that compassion has
transformative power. The peddler, a poor thief, views
life as a rattrap, believing people are trapped by
materialistic desires. Despite knowing his true identity,
Edla treats him with respect and kindness, offering him
food and shelter on Christmas Eve. Touched by her
generosity, the peddler feels remorse, returns the stolen
money, and redeems himself by signing as “Captain Von
Stahle.” The story emphasizes that human beings can
change for the better when shown genuine compassion
and understanding.
2. How does the story portray the conflict between
materialism and human values?
Answer: The story depicts life’s materialistic temptations
as a rattrap that lures people into wrongdoings. The
peddler himself steals money, driven by poverty. The
crofter boasts about his earnings, showing human
greed. However, Edla’s selfless kindness contrasts with
this materialism, inspiring the peddler to reject
dishonesty and embrace honesty. The narrative
suggests that human values like kindness and empathy
are stronger than material wealth and can lead to moral
salvation, overcoming life’s “rattraps.”