Flamingo Class 12th

Chapter - 4 The Rattrap

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. From where did the peddler get the idea of

the world being a rattrap?

Or

Explain the metaphor of 'The Rattrap' as explained by

the peddler.

Or

Explain the metaphor of 'The Rattrap'.

Answer. The peddler was a very poor man who made both

ends meet by making rattraps with the material he

procured by begging. He also had to resort to petty

thievery. His mind, therefore, was always occupied with

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the making of rattraps. One day, he thought about the

world and found a parallel between the two. To him,

worldly riches, joys, food and shelter worked as bait to

entrap people.

Question 2. Why was the peddler amused by the idea

of the world being a rattrap?

Answer. The world around him had never been so kind to

him. So, it gave him unwonted joy to think ill of it in this

way. To think of people he knew who had let themselves

be caught in the dangerous trap, he felt very amused.

Question 3. Did the peddler expect the kind of

hospitality that he received from the crofter?

Answer. The peddler was not welcomed by people ever.

He was virtually shooed away from wherever he went. No

one treated him kindly. When he knocked at the cottage

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of the old crofter, he expected to be greeted with a sour

face. However, he was very much surprised by the

crofter's warm hospitality.

Question 4. How did the crofter entertain the peddler?

Answer. The crofter treated the peddler kindly and gave

him shelter in his cottage and porridge to eat. After it he

gave the peddler a big tobacco slice. The crofter played

mjolis, a card game with him and disclosed his secret to

him.

Question 5. Why was the crofter so friendly and

talkative with the peddler, who was a total stranger?

Or

Why was the crofter so kind and generous to the

peddler?

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Answer. The crofter lived in his cottage all by himself.

He had no wife and no children. He was sick of leading a

secluded life. When he got some company, though of a

tramp, he was overwhelmed with joy to receive a guest.

He found pleasure in talking his heart out. So, he poured

all warmth and friendliness on his guest.

Question 6. Why did the crofter show thirty kronor to

the peddler?

Answer. Thirty kronor notes were the ones he had earned

as payment from the creamery. He had no one to share his

joy with. So, when the peddler came to his home, he

showed him the amount. Moreover, he suspected that his

guest did not seem to believe him.

Question 7. Did the peddler respect the confidence

reposed in him by the crofter?

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Answer. The peddler was extremely poor. He was the

victim of hunger and starvation. This left him with no

ethics in life. When he was shown the amount of thirty

kronor, his mind started working on how to grab the

money. So, he stole it by breaking the window pane and

betrayed the confidence reposed in him by the crofter.

Question 8. Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to

the peddler and invite him home?

Answer. In the dull glow of the furnace, the ironmaster

mistook the peddler for Captain von Stahle, who was an

old regimental comrade. He was touched by the pitiable

plight of the officer. To make him feel secure and

comfortable, he spoke kindly to the peddler and invited

him home.

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Question 9. Why did the peddler decline the

ironmaster's invitation?

Or

Why was the peddler hesitant to accompany the

ironmaster to the manor house?

Answer. The peddler had stolen thirty kronors from the

crofter and had somehow escaped. However, he felt that

if he went to the ironmaster's house with him, his true

identity would be revealed and he might get caught. The

peddler felt guilty and afraid as he had stolen money and

had accepted the bait that the world offered him. Hence,

he was hesitant to accompany the ironmaster as he was

scared of getting caught and he knew that the ironmaster

would recognise his fake act if he went with him.

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Question 10. Having once declined the ironmaster's

invitation, why did the peddler accept Edla's

invitation?

Or

What made the peddler accept Edla Willmansson's

invitation?

Answer. The peddler clearly declined the ironmaster's

offer to accompany him home for fear of being caught for

stealing the old man's money. Still, he accepted Edla's

invitation, as her warmth, friendliness and compassion

infused a sense of confidence and trust in him. He could

not refuse. Her assurance, 'you will be allowed to leave us

as freely as you came,' allayed his fears and he consented

to ride to the manor house with her.

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Question 11. Though still quite young, Edla

Willmansson had a good psychological insight and a

keen observation. Comment.

Answer. In spite of her young age, Edla had a very keen

sense of observation and a better psychological insight

into the human mind than her father. On noticing fear in

the eyes of the peddler when he was invited to the manor

house, she at once concluded that he had either stolen

some money or had escaped from jail. She also observed

that he was not educated. Her father had overlooked all

this.

Question 12. When did the ironmaster realise his

mistake of mistaking the peddler's identity for the

captain?

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Answer. When in the morning the valet had bathed him,

cut his hair and shaved him, he was truly clean and well

dressed. The ironmaster looked at him and at once realised

his mistake. The previous night, he had seen him in the

uncertain reflection of the furnace, but now he stood in

front of him in the broad daylight. It was impossible for

him to mistake him for an old acquaintance.

Question 13. What did the peddler say in his defence

when the truth of his identity came to light?

Or

What did the peddler say in his defence when it was

clear that he was not the person the ironmaster had

thought he was?

Or

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The ironmaster accuses the peddler of not being quite

honest. What does the peddler say to justify the

situation?

Answer. The peddler told the ironmaster that he had made

no attempt to dupe the latter into mistaking his identity.

He had neither pretended to be the captain nor accepted

his host's invitation to come to the manor house readily.

Rather, he had repeatedly begged to be allowed to sleep

in the forge.

Question 14. Why did Edla still entertain the peddler

even after she knew the truth about him?

Answer. By heart, Edla was a soft and compassionate girl

who knew nothing about the rattrap peddler. She simply

wanted to make the guest as comfortable as she could.

Edla was saddened by the fact that the peddler had to walk

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the whole day only to be chased away wherever he went.

Like a true Christian, she wanted to be nice to him and

wanted him to enjoy a day of peace.

Question 15. Why was Edla happy to see the gift left

by the peddler?

Answer. Edla was very happy to see the gift left by the

peddler because this was the way the peddler had

respected the faith shown in him by Edla, as she retained

him in the house even after knowing his real identity.

Instead of walking off with their silverware, his gesture

proved that the goodness in his heart had been ignited and

he behaved like a real dignified captain.

Question 16. Why did the peddler sign himself as

Captain von Stahle?

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Answer. The way Edla treated the peddler touched him to

the core. The girl, despite knowing his real identity,

treated him like a captain. It was now his turn to show

Edla that the guest she had honoured was as honourable

as the captain and not merely a petty thief. The latent

goodness of his heart was awakened and he actually

behaved in a dignified manner. So, he signed himself as

'Captain von Stahle'.

Question 17. The reader's sympathy is with the

peddler right from the beginning of the story. Why is

it so?

Answer. The miserable life that the peddler leads really

moves the reader right from the beginning of the story.

The sympathy is not misplaced as the tramp is facing such

a life due to no fault of his own. He had been ill-treated

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by everyone he went to. He was forced to take to begging

and stealing to make his both ends meet.

Question 18. How does the setting of the remote forest

location in 'The Rattrap' contribute to the overall tone

and mood of the story?

Answer. The setting of the remote forest location in 'The

Rattrap' contributes to the overall tone and mood of the

story. It creates a sense of isolation and desolation,

emphasising the loneliness and despair that the peddler

experiences. The harsh winter conditions and the barren

landscape add to the overall tone of melancholy and

hopelessness. The setting serves as an important backdrop

for the events that unfold in the story.

Question 19. Why did the ironmaster compare Edla to

a parson?

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Answer. The ironmaster compared Edla to a parson as she

preached him to let the vagabond stay in the house even

though he was not an acquaintance. She said that they

must not chase away a human being whom they had asked

to come and to whom they had promised Christmas cheer.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1. How does the peddler interpret the acts of

kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter,

ironmaster and his daughter?

Answer. At the beginning of the story, we meet the

peddler as a man hit by hunger, poverty and starvation.

So, he has no ethics of his own and he doesn't mind

begging or stealing. At the crofter's house, he is tempted

on seeing thirty kronor well within his reach with just a

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little bit of effort. Keeping aside the warm hospitality

shown to him by the old crofter, he disrespects the trust

reposed in him. He smashes the window pane, grabs the

money and walks off with thirty kronor. The ironmaster's

hospitality, too, doesn't move his heart. When, on finding

his real identity, the ironmaster shows him the door, the

thankless peddler shouts at him and warns him that he too

would one day be entrapped in the rattrap of the world.

But yes, Edla's warmth, love and respect transform him.

The status to which the girl raised him enkindles the latent

goodness of his heart and he encloses the stolen thirty

kronor in the rattrap and leaves it as a Christmas present

for Edla. In a letter enclosed with the money, he makes a

humble request to Edla to return the money to the crofter.

This way, Edla's warm hospitality makes him turn a new

leaf in his life.

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Question 2. The story has many instances of

unexpected reactions from the characters to other's

behaviour. Pick out instances of these surprises.

Answer. The story has several instances of unexpected

reactions from the characters to other's behaviour. First of

all, the crofter's reaction to the tramp's request for shelter

is entirely unexpected, as no one ever received the tramp

with such a welcoming reception. The tramp himself was

surprised because he was always greeted by people with

sour faces. Secondly, the peddler's stealing the crofter's

money by smashing the window pane is also totally

unexpected. His being welcomed by the crofter with so

much of warmth and then breach of trust comes as a

shock. Thirdly, the ironmaster's unexpected invitation to

the tramp comes as the next surprise. His refusal to

accompany the ironmaster and later his joining him at the

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manor house is another such instance. Later on, finding

his real identification, the way the ironmaster behaves

with him and Edla's intercession are two more acts that

fall into this category. But the most unexpected gesture

comes from the peddler when he leaves a Christmas gift

for Edla along with a letter of thanks and the stolen

money, which he wants Edla to return to its owner. Thus,

the story is replete with several unexpected reactions.

Question 3. What are the instances in the story that

show that the character of the ironmaster is different

from that of his daughter in many ways?

Or

Edla is a contrast to her father, the ironmaster.

Explain.

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Answer. Edla was completely different from her father,

the ironmaster. The ironmaster was a proud man whose

main aim was to ship out good-quality iron. He had

previously been a part of the regiment.

He was not a very kind man, and when he mistook the

peddler to be his old regimental comrade, he invited him

to his house solely because of his pride. As soon as he got

to know about the rattrap peddler's true identity, he

threatened to call the Sheriff. On the other hand, Edla was

kind and compassionate. When the peddler refused the

ironmaster's request to come to his manor, Edla was able

to convince the peddler through her polite and loving

manners. Even when she got to know of the peddler's true

identity, she did not want to send him away, as they had

already promised Christmas cheer to him. Edla was a kind

soul.

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On Christmas morning, when the ironmaster and

his daughter, Edla, came to know that the peddler was a

thief, they got worried for different reasons. While the

ironmaster doubted the peddler and was worried about his

silverware. Edla was unhappy as she thought that the

peddler had betrayed her trust. However, they soon

realised that the peddler had not stolen anything and had

also returned the crofter's money. Moreover, Edla was

observant and knew from the beginning that her father

mistook the peddler to be his comrade, whereas the

ironmaster was ignorant and did not pay attention to

details. Thus, Edla was a contrast to her father and had a

heart of gold. It was her compassion, care and kindness

that transformed the life of the peddler.

Question 4. What makes the peddler finally change his

ways?

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Or

A mistaken identity led to the discovery of a new one

for the rattrap peddler. How did this impact him?

Answer. Broadly speaking, no one is wicked by birth.

Only circumstances make him so. If he is properly

understood, he can be transformed into his original being.

The peddler rattrap seller leads a miserable life of acute

want, hunger, poverty and starvation without ever coming

across an angelic soul to love or guide him. Neither the

crofter's warm hospitality nor the ironmaster's invitation

to the manor house made any impact on him. Rather, he

repaid the crofter by stealing his money and the

ironmaster by giving him a piece of his mind in case the

latter informed the sheriff.

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However, Edla's warmth, understanding and

genuineness touched him. She treated him like a captain,

he spontaneously behaved like a captain. He was

transformed to the extent that he abandoned the stolen

money. At the end of the story, when the peddler left, he

left his rattrap as a Christmas present for Edla along with

a letter of thanks and a confession in it with a humble

request to return the thirty kronor stolen from the crofter's

place. In this way, he redeemed himself from his unfair

ways and emerged as an altogether changed person.

Question 5. How does the metaphor of the rattrap

serve to highlight the human predicament?

Answer. A rattrap is a device to catch rats by deception.

The world is compared to a rattrap which snares people

with its riches, joys, shelter, food and clothing. When one

is trapped, everything comes to an end. The metaphor of

rattrap reveals man's helplessness, restlessness, and

powerlessness in the face of situations that pursue joys

and luxuries, leading him in. Just as the bait of cheese and

pork tempts and traps a rat, the peddler yields to the

temptations at the crofter's cottage and then runs to

escape. The only difference is that for the peddler, the

world is a big rattrap. Though one cannot see the bars and

wires, this rattrap entraps the individuals like him so

securely that one cannot escape at all once trapped in the

bait, all his aims and ambitions remain unfulfilled. Several

times, one is not ever aware of having been trapped and

thus goes on receding deeper and deeper into the trap and

loses all chances of getting out.

Question 6. The peddler comes out as a person with a

subtle sense of humour. How does this serve in

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lightening the seriousness of the theme of the story and

also endear him to us?

Answer. When we start reading the story, we hardly find

any humour. The pathetic condition of the peddler only

draws our sympathies. His outlook towards life is rather

pessimistic. Yes, the foolish way in which he acts is quite

humorous. He himself, being a poor rattrap peddler,

considers the world a rattrap. This attitude of his is

certainly humorous and entertaining. Then, his getting

stuck in the dark jungle after his act of robbery at the

crofter's certainly compels us to laugh. Then, the dramatic

way in which he is invited into the ironmaster's house and

his true identity is exposed leaves a humorous touch. The

comparison of temptation and sinfulness to a rattrap and

bait is also very amusing. His temptation, followed by

contrition, is the main focus of the story. His ability to

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require equilibrium makes him comical. His philosophy,

his chain of thought, his guilt consciousness and his

reformation at the end make him truly human, which is

what endears him to us.

Question 7. What made the peddler think that he had

fallen into a rattrap?

Or

How did the seller of rattraps realise that he himself

was caught up in a rattrap after he left the crofter's

cottage?

Or

The peddler believed that the whole world is a trap.

How did he himself get caught in the same?

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Answer. After the peddler had stolen the crofter's money,

he felt quite pleased at his smartness. But soon the stolen

amount became a nuisance for him. He had to move

through the forest instead of the public highway lest he

should be caught by the police. But the forest turned out

to be so confusing that he got lost in its twisted paths.

Even after hours of walking, he found himself in the same

part of the forest. It had grown dark. There was no way to

come out of the forest. That was when he realised that he

had been trapped. Earlier, he was amused by the idea of

people getting trapped in the worldly bait, but now he

realised it was his turn. Quite foolishly, he had been

fooled by the bait and got badly caught in the

impenetrable prison of the trunks, thickets and branches

of the forest. He felt like a helpless mouse trapped in the

rattrap with nowhere to go.

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Question 8. The story 'The Rattrap' focuses on human

loneliness and the need to bond with others. Comment.

Or

How does the story, 'The Rattrap' highlight the

importance of community over isolation? Support

your rationale with textual evidence.

Answer. The story 'The Rattrap' is replete with the theme

of loneliness right from the beginning. All the characters-

the peddler, the crofter, the ironmaster and his daughter

are the victims of loneliness and desperately seek

redemption from it. First of all, the protagonist of the

story, the peddler, feels absolutely Lonely. He has always

met sour faces, cold words and unkind treatment. Each

one he meets with is apathetic towards him. He has been

plodding the dreary paths of life with hardly anyone to

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share his woes. Even after having walked miles and miles

day in and day out, he has never come across a single

place in the whole country where he could feel at home.

He is shooed away wherever he goes.

Now, the old crofter, life has been kinder to him

as at least he has got his cottage to live in, but in the

absence of wife and children, he yearns for company. This

is why when the peddler comes to his home, he is

overwhelmed with joy and extends his generous

hospitality. Similarly, the ironmaster and his daughter,

too, miss the company of someone, especially on

Christmas. That is the reason the ironmaster wants to take

the peddler home. He and his daughter are too excited to

be hosts to the peddler whom the ironmaster mistakes for

a former comrade. Their guest in this way helps them to

show their Christmas kindness and hospitality.

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Thus, all of them have a strong yearning for

bonding. Bonding with the peddler gives joy to the old

crofter and he is full of life in his little cottage that night

with his guest around. This is the only bonding that

transforms the tramp and enkindles goodness of heart.

Bonding again allows the ironmaster and his daughter to

discover and practise their Christmas virtues. Love and

understanding of a young girl, Edla, allow the tramp to rid

himself of his dishonest ways.

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