THE RATTRAP
Q1. When did the peddler get the idea of world being a
rattrap?
Ans. One day while walking on the road, thinking about his
rattrap, he got the idea that the world is a rattrap and like a rat,
people get tempted by the bait of allurements like joys, shelter,
food, power, fame, material things etc. and as soon as anyone
let himself be tempted by these baits, it closed in on him and
then everything came to end.
Q.2)When did the peddler realize that he himself was caught in
the rattrap?
A.2) After stealing the money of the crofter, the peddler turned
off the public highway and entered a wood to avoid getting
caught. When he got lost in the forest, he realized that he
himself had got trapped in a Rattrap after giving in to the
temptation of stealing the thirty Kronor of the crofter.
Q.3) Why did he accept Edla Wilmanson’s invitation ?
Ans. Edla was kind to him. She also put him at ease by saying
that they wanted him to come to their house on Christmas Eve.
Edla assured him that he would be allowed to leave safely. Her
sensitivity and kindness inspired confidece in him.
Q.4) Why did Edla entertain the peddler even after she knew
the truth about him?
Ans. Edla had been happy about having a guest at home on
Christmas Eve. She could not get away from that idea all at
once. She also felt that throughout the year, the peddler was
chased away by the people, so he should be allowed to enjoy a
day of peace with them.
Q.5) Why did the peddler sign himself as the Captain Von
Stahle?
Ans. The peddler had been mistaken for Captain Von Stahle. He
had also been treated as if he was a respectable officer and not
a peddler. He had never experienced that kind of treatment
and it inspired him to change himself into a better person and
behave in a manner benefitting a [Link] having done ,so
he could sign himself as Captain Von Stahle.
Q.6)How did the peddler spend the Christmas Eve in the manor
house?
Ans. He did nothing but sleep. He was woken for lunch and
later in the evening again, when the tree was lit. After dinner
he went around to each one present and said thank you and
goodnight and went back to sleep again.
Long Answer
Q1. How did the peddler respond to the act of kindness shown
by the ironmaster, his daughter and the crafter?
Ans. The old crafter welcomed the peddler warmly. He was
generous with food and talked to him like a friend. He was a
simple man who trusted the peddler blindly and showed him
the place where he had kept his savings. The peddler abused
his trust and hospitality by stealing his money.
The iron master and his daughter made him feel welcome in
their house even after realizing their mistake of thinking that
he was an old regimental comrade. They let him rest, gave him
good food and made him participate in Christmas festivities
with them. While there, the peddler’s conscience pricked at
him. He perhaps realized that the basic goodness of mankind
was not dead. He was overcome with guilt and decided to turn
into a better person and not to kill their faith, especially of Edla
Willmansson.
The faith that his hostess showed in him gave the peddler the
courage to return her the stolen money and rattrap signifying
that he would never be tempted to take the bait.