DEEP WATER
I. VERY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (2 marks)
1. Why did the peddler think the world was a rattrap?
Answer: He believed the world offered temptations (riches, joys) like bait, and people were
trapped once they reached for them — just like a mouse in a rattrap.
2. Why was the peddler amused by his philosophy?
Answer: He himself was penniless and hungry, yet he could look at the world with mock
wisdom, imagining everyone else being trapped.
3. What made the crofter trust the peddler?
Answer:
The peddler seemed lonely and harmless.
The crofter longed for company.
He was proud of his cow and earnings and wanted someone to talk to.
4. What did the peddler steal from the crofter?
Answer:
The thirty kronor notes kept in a leather pouch.
5. Why did the peddler avoid the public highway?
Answer:
He feared being caught after stealing the money and thus took the forest route.
6. Why did the ironmaster invite the peddler home?
Answer:
He mistook him for an old regimental comrade, Captain von Stahle.
7. Describe the crofter’s nature with evidence.
Answer:
The crofter is:
Lonely: Lives alone in a small cottage.
Trusting: Welcomes a stranger with confidence.
Talkative: Shares personal details eagerly.
Generous: Offers food, tobacco, and shelter.
8. Why did the peddler decline the ironmaster’s invitation?
Answer:
He feared being exposed as a thief.
His shabby appearance embarrassed him.
He suspected that acceptance could lead to trouble.
9. What role does Edla Willmansson play in the story?
Answer:
She treats the peddler with politeness, respect, and compassion.
Makes him feel like a “real human.”
Her kindness reforms him and transforms his conscience.
Inspires his decision to return the stolen money.
10. How did the peddler get lost in the forest?
Answer:
He took the forest path to avoid the main road and wandered in circles. Soon he felt the
forest was a literal rattrap he was caught in.
11. What is the central theme of the story?
Answer:
Human goodness can transform lives.
The world’s temptations trap us like bait.
Compassion and dignity can redeem even wrongdoers.
✅. LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS (5 marks)
1. “The Rattrap is a story of redemption through compassion.” Explain.
Answer:
The peddler, a poor and bitter man, lived by petty thievery and distrust. The crofter’s blind
trust tempts him into stealing. Lost in the forest, he realises he is trapped in life just like a
mouse in a rattrap.
At the ironmaster’s house, he is treated kindly by Edla, who gives him food and dignity
without judging him. Her behaviour awakens his conscience. On Christmas morning, he
reforms completely and returns the stolen thirty kronor, leaving behind a letter signed
“Captain von Stahle.”
Thus, compassion—not punishment—transforms him.
2. Describe the events from the peddler’s arrival at the crofter’s cottage to his escape.
Answer:
The peddler knocks asking for shelter. The crofter welcomes him warmly, offers supper,
tobacco, and a bed. Out of loneliness, he even shows the peddler his money.
Temptation rises; after the crofter leaves next morning, the peddler returns, breaks in, steals
the pouch of kronor, and runs into the forest to avoid being seen.
This series exposes human weakness and the traps of temptation.
3. The metaphor of the rattrap is central to the story. Discuss.
Answer:
The rattrap symbolizes:
Life’s temptations as bait.
People falling into traps of greed, illusions, and desires.
The peddler himself becoming a victim after stealing.
Society’s judgment and moral choices.
Finally, when he reforms, he escapes the rattrap of guilt through kindness.
The metaphor unifies the story’s theme of temptation and redemption.
4. How did the peddler’s behaviour change after meeting Edla?
Answer:
Before meeting her → suspicious, dishonest, frightened, desperate.
After Edla’s hospitality → feels respected and valued, begins introspection.
In the end → returns the money, thanks her, leaves a Christmas gift and letter, shows
gratitude and transformation.
Edla’s unconditional kindness reforms him morally.
✅ IV. REFERENCE TO CONTEXT (RTC) QUESTIONS
Passage 1
“The world had, of course, never been very kind to him so it gave him unwanted joy to think
ill of it.”
Q1. Who is “he”?
The rattrap peddler.
Q2. Why did the world not treat him kindly?
He lived in poverty, loneliness, and social neglect.
Q3. What gave him “unwanted joy”?
Thinking of the world as a rattrap where others too would fall into traps.
Passage 2
“Please stay with us today. It is Christmas Eve.”
Q1. Who says this?
Edla Willmansson.
Q2. To whom is this spoken?
To the peddler.
Q3. What effect does it have on the listener?
He feels valued and human; this kindness triggers his inner transformation.
Passage 3
“But of course it was not so easy for me to pull myself out of this.”
Q1. Who is the speaker?
The peddler in his letter.
Q2. What is he referring to?
The metaphorical rattrap of temptation and guilt after stealing the money.
Q3. How does he finally pull himself out?
By keeping the money in the rattrap gift and returning it with the letter.
✅ V. CASE-BASED QUESTIONS (CBQ)
(As per current CBSE exam pattern)
Case Study 1
The peddler enjoyed thinking that the world was a rattrap. Later, after stealing the crofter’s
money, he avoided the road and entered the forest. He walked and walked but felt trapped
in the woods, convinced that he had fallen into the rattrap himself.
Q1. Why did he avoid the main road?
To avoid being recognised or caught after stealing.
Q2. What realization struck him in the forest?
He was trapped by his own actions; life was a rattrap for him as well.
Q3. How is irony reflected here?
He used to mock others for falling into traps but became a victim himself.
Q4. What does this indicate about his character?
He is reflective and capable of self-awareness, which leads to later transformation.
Case Study 2
Edla noticed that the stranger was afraid and hesitant. She assured him that he could leave
whenever he wanted. Her gentle behaviour created trust. On Christmas morning, the family
found that the guest had left a gift, a letter, and the thirty kronor inside a rattrap.
Q1. Why was the stranger hesitant?
He feared being exposed as a thief and thought they would hand him over to the police.
Q2. How did Edla reassure him?
She promised freedom, respect, and a home-like stay.
Q3. What does the rattrap gift symbolize?
His acceptance of guilt, repentance, and moral rebirth.
Q4. How does this incident highlight Edla’s impact?
Her compassion inspires him to change and make amends.