4 The Rattrap

( Fastra~ Revision )
Main Points low. He has to resort to petty thievery and begging to
make both ends meet.
► Th• tramp/peddler
►Sells rattraps--{akes to begging and petty thievery ► He Is alone In this whole wor1d and leads a miserable life.
► The Idea-the whole world Is a big rattrap He thoughts that the whole wor1d Is a big rattrap. His
► Seeks shelter In the crofter's cottage views are that the world offers us various types of baits
► The crofter in the form of comforts of Life. This In return traps us Into
the rattrap of the world and leads us to various types of
► Gives the peddler a warm welcome
► Food, tobacco, card game
mi-series.
► Shares his seuet ► The peddler has to search for shelter every night as he has
► The peddler stHls no home. One evening he gets shelter In an old crofter's
► Steals thirty kronor cottage. The next morning he steals the crofter's money
► Escapes Into a big forest which he has earned by selLing his cow's milk. The peddler
► Getslost chooses the path through the forest which is secluded,
► Ralmsjo Ironworks Incident but soon finds himself trapped in the forest as he isn't
able to find the way out of the dense forest. Finally, he
The owner takes the peddler as an old acquaintance
►
finds a way to a forge and takes shelter there. An unusual
►
Invites the peddler to stay with him
► The peddler declines
Incident happens. The lronmaster mistakes him for an
old friend and Invites him to his house. The poor peddler
► Edla Wlllnuln11on
rejects the offer due to the fear of being caught. Soon he
► Daughter of the Iron mill owner
► Persuades the peddler to come to their home
ls Invited by the lronmaster's daughter. The next morning
► Requests him to stay for Christmas Eve he Is somehow stopped by the lronmaster's daughter for
Christmas Eve, even after being caught that he Is a peddler
► Tho lronmastor rHllses tho truth
and not Captain Stahle.
► The next day - in dayUght the owner realises -the
stranger was not his friend ► The next day when the lronmaster and his daughter visit
► [Link] to call the sheriff the church, they come to know that the man Is a thief who
► Edla pleads for him and makes him stay bade has stolen money from the old crofter. The lronmaster
► Tho mlr1<ulous 1ff1ct and his daughter repent for sheltering a thief and think
that all things would have been stolen by that time. Here
► Edla makes the peddler understand -he needs rest
comes a twist, as Instead of steaUng, the peddler gifts
and peoce
► Edla learns about the theft at church the ironmaster's daughter a rattrap. She finds a letter
► She becomes upset of thanks and the stolen money inside the rattrap. The
► The peddler leaves a small padcet for Edla peddler thanks Edla for her kindness and requests her to
► Edla finds-• a rattrap, the stolen money and a letter return the stolen money to the crolter.
with a request to return the money Theme
Summary at a Glance ► This story gives us the message that understanding and
► 'The Rattrap', by Selma Lagerlijf, Is a story about a rattrap love can transform a bod person Into o good humon being.
seller who leads a very poor life as his earnings are very Goodness can be awakened through good deeds.

.
-~ Extract Bosed Questions
~~ Practice Exercise
probably not a single place In the whole country
Directions: Read the extracts given below and answer the where he Is welcome and can feel at home. Wherever
he turns he Is chased away, Always he Is afraid of
questions that follow:
being arrested and cross-examined. I should Uke to
l 1 am thinking of this stranger here," said Edla. "He have him enjoy a day of peace with us here-Just one
walks ond wolks the whole year long, and there Is in the whole year." rcasr 2023)
 (a) Completll the following sentence with the most (e) Aword similar In meaning to the word 'profitable'
appropriate option: Is .............. .
Edi.a wished the Peddler to have a peaceful day (f) Glvt an antonym of'petty'.
because .............
(i) the Peddler had worked for Edla. ------ti Answers !1-------
(II) the Peddler had not been released from Jail (al 'He· refers to the peddler.
(iii) the Peddler had been staving at the forge. (b) (iii) Rattraps
(iv) the Peddler had alwavs been looked with
(c) (ii) He could not keep body and soul together
suspicion.
(d) Selma Lager16f Is the author of the lesson from
(b) Select the suitable word from the extract to
where this extract has been taken.
complete analogy.
(e) beneficial or productive
single : multiple :: abroad : ..............
(f) An antonym of ·petty Is enonnous or slgnlflcanl
(c) In the above [Link], Edi.a comes across as:
(I) conscientious (Ii) pretentious 3. No one can imagine how sad and monotonous life can
(iii) compassionate (iv) selfless appear to such a vagabond, who ploch along the road
(d) Based on the above extrxt, choose the left to his own meditations. But one day this man had
statement which Is true. fallen Into a Une of thought, which really seemed to
(I) Relationship are rattraps. him entertaining.
(II) Monev Is Important In the wortd. (a) What does the word 'vaigabond'mean?
(iii) Criminal is not born but made. (I) Worker In some factory
(iv) Christmas is a time of charity (fi) Wanderer
(e) In the context of the given extract, which day (Ill) Someone with no complaints
Is referred to In the expression 'Just one In the (iv) None of the above
whole year'? (b) Who plods along the road?
(f} What does the expression 'he Is aoss•examlned' (I) The crofter
suggest? (II) Blacl<smlth
(iii) Street cleaner
------<I Answers 1 - ! - - - - - (Iv) The peddler
(c) What can no one Imagine?
(a) (Iv) the Peddler had alwavs been looked with
(d) Find a word from th■ extract which means 'dull'.
suspicion.
(e) The lesson from which this extract has been
(b) at home
taken Is .............. .
(c) (Ill) compassionate
(f) What was the Une ofthought,he had fallen Into?
(d) (Ill) Criminal Is not born but made.
(e) Christmas Eve -------<I Answers 1 1 - - - - - -
(f) The expression 'he is cross-0<ilmlned' suggests (a) (II) Wanderer
that the peddler and his ldentitv have alWilys (b) (Iv) The peddler
been questioned because of suspicion. (c) No one can imagine how sad and monotonous
2. He made thorn himself at odd moments, from the the peddler's Ufe was.
material he got by begging In the stores or at the (d) In the extract the word ·monotonous· means
farms. But even so, the business was not especially dull
profitable, so he had to resort to both begging and (e) The Rattrap'.
petty thievery to keep body and soul together. (f) He had fallen into a line of thought that the
(a) Whom does 'he' refer to In the above lines? whole world was nothing but a big rattrap.
(b) What did he make at odd moments? 4. The wortd had, of course, never been very kind to
(I) Baskets (II) Candles him, so It gave him unwanted Joy to think Ill of It In
(iii) Rattraps (iv) Hand fans this way. It became a cherished pastime of his, during
many dreary ploddings, to think of people he knew
(c) How was his business not profitable?
who had let themselves be caught In the dangerous
(i) It did not help him save for future
snare, and of others who were still clrcUng around the
(II) He could not keep body and soul together bolt.
(Ill) He could not buy a house to Uve In
(a) What was the attitude of the people towards
(Iv) None of the above him?
(d) Name the author of the lesson from which this (I) Affectionate (II) SympatheUc
extract has been taken. (Ill) Indifferent (iv) Unkind
 (b) Who Is being referred to here? guest, nodding knowingly, and then stuffed them back
(i) Selma Lager\Of (ii) The crofter Into the pouch.
(Ill) The peddler (Iv) The lronmaster (a) The stranger In the above Unes Is .............. .
(c) What was his 'cherished pastime·?
(b) What did the old man do after going to the
(d) A word from the extract which means
wlndow7
'uninteresting• Is .............. .
(i) He peeped out
(e) What does· snare• mean?
{ii) Took down a leather pouch
(f) What does •he• do?
(iii) Closed the window
--------1! Answers .______ (Iv) Culled the stranger
(a) (iv) Unkind (cl What did the old man show to the stranger?
(b) (iii) The peddler (I) Gold coins
(c) His 'cherished pastime' was to think of people (ii) Ten-kronornotes
being trapped In the worldly I~ (iii) Almonds and other nuts
(d) drearv (iv) Porridge
(e) 'Snare' means a trap for catching birds or (di Find • word from tho extract which means
[Link]. 'unbelieving·.
(f) He sells small rattraps. He has to resort to both
(e) Where Is the stranger?
begging and pem, thleverv.
(fl Did the stranger respect the confidence reposed
S. One dark evening as he was trudging along the road
In him by the old man?
he caught sight of a little gray cottage by the roadside
and he knoclced on the door to ask shelter for the
night. Nor was he refused. Instead of the sour faces
------ll Answers 1-I- - - - -
which ordinarily met him. the owner. who was an old (a) the peddler
man without wilt or child was happy to get someone (b) (ii) Took down a leather pouch
to tallc to In his Loneliness. (c) (ii) Ten-l<tonor notes
(a) What did the peddler see one dark evening? (d) A word from the extract which means
(I) Someone selUng rattraps 'unbelieving· is incredulous..
(ii) The iron mill (e) The stranger Is at the little gray cottage of the
(iii) A little gray cottage old man.
(Iv) An old crofter
(f) No. the stranger didn1 respect the confidence
(b) Why did he knock on the door? reposed in him ~ the old man He robbed the old
(c) How was he received by the old man? man
(i) Unwelcomed (Ii) Welcomed happily
(i) With a sour face (iv) Coldly 7. As he wallced along with the money In his pocket he
felt quite pleased with his smartness. He reaUsed,
(d) An antonym of 'accepted' from the extract Is
of courw, that •t first he dared not continue on the
(•I How was he usually treated? public highway, but must tum off the road, Into the
(fl Who was the old man? woods.
(al Why was his decision to walk through the woods
-------<I Answers 1-1----- not a wise one7
(al (Ill) A Uttle gray cottage (i) He was robbed
(b) He knocked on the door because he wanted (ii) He lost his way
shelter for the night (iii) He was attacked by a tiger
(c) (II) Welcomed happily (iv) None of the above
(d) refU11ed (b) Who Is 'he• here?
(e) He was usually treated unkindly. People usually (I) The author (II) The narrator
met him with sour faces. (Ill) The peddler (Iv) The crofter
(f) The old man had been a crofter. He Uved there
(c) The author of the extract Is .............. .
without wife or children.
(d) Which money Is being referred to In the first
6. The stranger must hove seemed lncrodulous, for the
line?
old man got up and went to the window, took down
1 leather pouch which hung on a Mil In the very (e) How did he fffl7
window frame and plcklld out throe wrinkled ten• (f) Why did he choose to wallc through the woods
kronor bills. These ho hold up beforo the oyes of his lnstoad of the public highway?
 Answers ,_______ (d) How did the ironmastar react on seeing the
stranger's face7
(a) (II) He lost his way
(e) How did the blacksmiths react to the stranger's
(b) (Ill) The peddler
arrival In the iron mill?
(clSelma Lasertof
(f) What did the lronmaster do7
(d) The money which he stole from the old crofter's
house is belnB referred to in the first line.
(e) Having robbed his generous host the peddler
------,I Answers 1-j- - - - -
felt quite pleased with his smartness. (a) Ragamuffin
(f) He choose to walk throush the woods Instead (b) (ii) Removed
of the public hlst,way because he was scared of (c) (II) The [Link]
being caught (d) The lronmaster mistook the stranger for his old
8. All at once, he reulled his thoughts about the worid acquaintance.
and the rattrap. Now his own tum had come. He had let (e) The blacksmittls Ignored the stranger.
himself be fooled by a bait and had been caught. The (f) The lronmaster walked close up 10 him to get a
whole forest, with Its trunlcs and branches, Its thickets better view of his face.
and fallen logs, closed in upon him Ulce 1n impenetrable 10. He thought of the thirty kronor. To go up to the
prison from which he could never escape. manor house would be Uko throwing himself
(a) The word, from the passage, which means 'that voluntarily into the Uon~ den. He only wanted a
can't be entered through' is .............. . chance to sleep here In the forge and then sneak
(b) He thought he could never escape from: away as inconspicuously as possible.
(i) prison (ii) forest (a) The antonym for 'reluctanUy' from the elllract Is
(iii) the crofter (iv) the iron mill
(c) The name of the lesson is:
(b) The lronmaster took the paddler as a/an:
(I) Lost Spring (II) Deep Water
(I) stranger (11) engineer
(iii) The Rattrap (Iv) The Last Lesson
(iii) old acquaintance (iv) thief
(d) Who is being talked about here?
(e) What did 'he' reull7 (c) 'Sneak away' means:
(f) Why does he say to himself that 'his own tum (I) encounter (II) confront
had come'? (Ill) expose (iv) escape
(d) From where did he get the money?
------<I Answers 1-j- - - - - (e) Why did he refuse to go to the manor house?
(al Impenetrable (f) Why does he refer to the manor house as 'the
(b) (II) forest Uon'sden'7
(c) (iii) The Rattrap --------41 Answers 1-------
(d) The peddler Is being talked about here.
(a) voluntarily
(e) He recalled his thoughts that the world was a
big rattrap. (b) (iii) old acquaintance
(c) (iv) escape
(f) He says to himself. that 'his a,•m turn had come·
(d) He stole the money from the old crofters
because he lost his way in the forest.
house.
9. Naturally, the first thing he saw the tall ragamuffin
(e) He refused 10 go to the manor house because
who had eased his way so dose to the furnace that
he was afraid of being causht.
steam rose from his wet rags. Tht ironmaster did
(f) He refers to the manor house as 1he Uon's den·
not follow the example of the blacksmiths, who had
because there was the risk of belns causht with
hardly deigned to look at the stranger. He walked
the stolen money.
close up to him, looked him over very carefully, then
tore off his slouch hat to get a better view of his face.
(a) Aword from the extract for a person typically in
-w Short Answer Type Questions :lil
dirty tattered clothes Is .............. . Ql From where did the peddler get the idea of the world
(b) Choose the synonym of 'tore off. being a rattrap? (NCfRT)
(I) Stuck 10 (II) Removed Or
(iR) Glued (iv) Attached Explain the metaphor of'The Rattrap' as axplalned by
(c) Who Is 'ht' In the ftrst line? the peddler. (CDSE 2022 r,rr11•2/
(i) The peddler (ii) The lronmaster Or
(IU) The crofter (lv) The author Explain the metaphor of'The Rattrop'. (CDSE 2023/
Ans. The peddler was a very poor man who made his both Q8. Why did the lronmaster speak klndly to the peddler
ends meet by making rattraps with the material he and Invite him home7 /CBSf 20l 6, HCERT)
procured by begging. He also had to resort to petty Ans. In the dull glow of the furnace. the ironmaster
thievery. His mind. therefore was always occupied mistook the peddler for Captain van Stahle who was
with the making of rattraps. One day he thought about an old regimental comrade. He was touched by the
the world and found a parallel between the two. To plUable pUght of the officer. To make him feel secure
him worldly riches lays, food and shelter worked as and comfortable. he spoke kindly to the peddler and
bait to entrap people. invited him home.

Q2. Why was the peddler amused by the idea of the world Q 9. Why did the peddler decline the ironmaster's
being a rattrap? /C8S£20l6, HC£RT) invitation? /NCfRT)
Ans. The world around hlm had never been so kind to him. Or
So. It gave him unwanted lay to think Ill of It In this way. Why was the peddler hesitant to aa:ompany the
To think of people he knew. who had let themselves be lronmaster to the manor house? 1cssr2021)
caught in the dangerous trap. he felt very amused. Ans. When the ironmaster mistook him for an old
Q3. Did the peddler expect the klnd of hospitality that he regimental officer. the peddler did not try to tell
received from the crofter? /NC£RTJ him the truth thinking that he might get a couple of
Ans. The peddler was not welcomed by people ever. He kronor In the bargain. But he did not either accept
was virtually shooed away from wherever he went the Invitation of the lronmaster to accompany him
No one treated him kindly. When he knocked at the home due to the rear of being caught with the stolen
cottage of the old crofter. he expected to be greeted money.
with a sour face. However. he was very much surprised Q10. Having once declined the ironmasters invitation, why
by the crofter's warm hospltaUry. did the peddler accept Edla's Invitation?
Q4. How did the crofter entertain the peddler? Or
/CDSf 2020)
What made the peddler accept Edla Willmansson's
Ans. The crofter treated the peddler kindly and gave him Invitation? /NCERT)
Ana. The peddler clearly decUned the lronmaster's offer
shelter In his cottage and porridge to eat. After it
to accompany him home for the fear or being caught
he gave the peddler a big tobacco sUce. The crofter
fer steaUng the old mon·s money. SUll he accepted
played mloUs, a card game with him and disclosed his
secret to him
Edla's invitation. as her warmth. friendliness and
compassion infused a sense of confidence and trust
Q5. Why was the crofter so friendly and talkative with the In her. He could not refuse. Her assurance -Vou will be
peddler who was a total stranger? /C8S£20l9, NC£RT)
allowed to leave us as freely as you came· allayed his
Or fears and he consented to ride to the manor house
Why was the crofter so kind and generous to the with her.
peddler? (COSE 2019)
Q ll Though still quite young Edla Willmansson had a
Ans. The crofter Uved In his cottage all by himself. He
good psychological insight and a keen observation.
had no wife and no children. He was sick of leading
Comment.
a secluded life. When he got some company. though
Ans. In spite of her young age. Edla had a very keen sense
of a tramp. he was overwhelmed with lay to receive a
of observation and a better psychological insight
guest He found pleosure In talking his heort out. So.
into the human mind than her father. On noticing
he poured all warmth and friendliness on his guest.
fear In the eyes of the peddler when he was Invited
Q6. Why did the crofter show thirty kronor to the peddler? to the manor house. she at once concluded that he
Ans. Thirty kronor notes were the ones he had earned had elthor stolen some money or had escaped from
as the payment from the creamery. He had no one J!!!!: She also observed thot he wes not educated. Her
to share his joy with. So. when the peddler came to father had overlooked all this.
his home. he showed him the amount Moreover, he Q12. When did the ironmaster realise his mistake of
suspected that his guest did not seem to beUeve hi~ mistaking the peddler's Identity for the captain?
Q7. Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed In him Ans. When In the morning the valet had bathed him. cut
by the crofter? (HC£RT) his hair and shaved him. he was truly clean and well
Ans. The peddler was extremely poor. He was the victim of dressed. The lronmaster looked at him and at once
hunger and starvation. This left him with no ethics In reaUsed his mistake. The previous night he h ~
life. When he was shown the amount of thirty kronor. him In the uncertain reflection of the furnace but
his mind started working on how to grab the money. now he stood In front of him In the broad daylight
So. he stole ii by breaking the window pane and It wa• Impossible for him to mistake him for an old
betr~nfidence reposed In him by the crofter. acquaintance.
Q13. What did the peddler say In his defence when the Ans. The setting of the remote forest location in The
truth or his Identity came to Ught7 Rattrap· contributes to the overall tone and mood
Or of the story. It creates a sense of isolation and
What did the peddler say In his defence when It was desolation. emphasising the loneliness and despair
clear that he was not the person the lronmaster had that the peddler experiences. The harsh ,vinter
thought he was? (HC£RT20l6, S.t-111/ conditions and the barren landscape add to the
Or overall tone of melancholy and hopelessness. The
The ironmaster accuses the peddler of not being setting serves as an Important backdrop for the
events that unfold In the story.
quite honest. What does the peddler say to justify
the situation? (CBS£ 2022 T•mo-2/ Q19. Why did the ironmaster compare Edi.a to a parson?
Ans. The peddler told the lronmaster that he had made no (C&S£2023/
attempt to dupe the latter Into mistaking his Identity Ans. The lronmaster compared Edla to a parson as she
He had neither pretended to be the captain nor preached him to let the vasabond stay In thehouse
even though he was not an acquaintance. She said
accepted his host's invitation to come to the manor
that they must not chase away a human being whom
house readily. Rather he had repeatedly begged to be they had asked to come and to whom they had
allowed to sleep in the for5e. promised Christmas cheer.
Q IA. Why did Edla still entertain the peddler even after she
knew the truth about him? (HCERT)
Ans. By heart Edla was a soft and compassionate sirt who
-t Long Answer Type Questions ~
knew nothing about the rattrap peddler. She simply QL How does the peddler Interpret the acts of kindness
wanted to make the 5uest as comfortable as she and hospitality shown by the crofter, ironmaster and
could. EdlA was saddened by the fact that the peddler his daughter? (NC£RT)
had to walk the whole day only to be chased away Ans. At the beginning of the story we meet the peddler as
wherever he went. Like a true Christian she wanted to a man hit by hunger. poverty and starvation. So. he
be nice to him and wanted him to enjoy a day of peace. has no ethics of his own and he doesn't mind begging
Q15. Why was Edla happytoseetheglftleftbythe peddler'? or stealing. At the crofte(s house. he is tempted on
(CBS£20l8•19, HCEAT) seeing thirty kronor well within his reach with just a
Ans. EdlA was very happy 10 see the gift left by the peddler Uttle bit of effort. Keeping aside the warm hospitality
because this was the way the peddler had respected shown to him by the old crofter. he disrespects the
the faith shown In him by EdlA as she retained him in trust reposed in him. He smashes the window pane.
the house even after knowing his real Identity. Instead grabs the money and walks oH with thirty kronor. The
of walking oH with their silver ware. his gesture lronmaster"s hospitality too doesn't move his heart.
proved that the goodnR1'< In his heart had been ISnlted When on flndlng his real Identity: the lronmaster shows
and he behaved Uke a real dlSnl~ed C<lptaln. him the door. the thankless peddler shouts at him and
warns him that he too would one day be entrapped
Q 16. Why did the paddler sign himself as Captain von In the rattrap of the world. But yes EdlA"s warmth.
Stahle? (HCERT) love and respect transform him. The status to which
Ans. The way EdlA treoted the peddler. touched him lo the the girl raised him enklndles the latent goodness of
core. The girl despite knowing his real Identity treated his heart and he encloses the stolen thirty kronor In
him Uke a captain. It was now hi& turn to show EdlA the rattrap and leaves it as a Christmas present for
that the guest she had honoured was as honourable EdlA. In a letter enclosed with the money. he makes
as the captain and not merely a petty thief. The latent a humble request to Edla to return the money to the
goodness of his heart was awakened and he actually crofter. This way Edla"s warm hospitality makes him
behaved In a dlgnlNed manner. So. he signed himself turn a new leaf In his life.
as ·e;,ptaln von Stahle·.
Q2. What are the instances In the story that show that the
Q17. The reader's sympathy Is with the peddler right from character of the lronmaster Is different from that of
the beglMlng of the story why Is It so7 his daughter In many ways? (HCERT)
Ami. The miserable life that the peddler leads really Or
moves the reader right from the beginning of the Edi.a Is a contrast to her father, the lronmaster.
story. The sympathy is not Ill placed as the tramp Explain. (C&S£2023)
Is facing such a Life due to no fault of his own !:!!! Ans. After reading the story. we flnd that the father and
had been Ill treated by everyone he went to. He was the daughter are poles apart The reader expects
forced to take to begging and stealing to make his more maturity on the part of the lronmaster as he
both ends meet. is the father of a daughter and master of an iron
Q18. How does the setting of the remote forest location in mill But contrary to our e,pectations. the father Is
'The Ra~p' contribute to the 011eraU tone and mood very Impulsive and jumps 10 the conclusion without
of the story? (CBS£SQ}'2023•24/ much thought to the Issue at hand. While In the
 forge. he mistakes the tramp for an old regimental his money and the ironmaster by giving him a piece of
comrade. Without confirming his true Identity he his mind In case the latter Informed the sheriff.
insisisliim to accompany him home. Then again on However. Edla's warmth. understanding and
realising his mistake. he thoughtlessly decides to senuineness touched him. She treated him Uke a
hand him over to the sheriff. Still again. on learning captain. he spontaneously behaved Uke a captain.~
in the church about the theft at the crofter"s place. he was transfonned 10 the extent that he abandoned
starts anticipating about the theft of silver ware in his the stolen money. In the end of the story when the
own house. But Edla. on the contrary. shows a strong peddler left. he left his rattrap as a Christmas present
sense of observation. She does judge the stranger as for Edla along with a letter of thanks and a confession
a tramp. She deals with the Issue with a cool mind. in it with a humble request to return the thirty
She persuades her father to let him stay because thev kronor stolen from the crofter's place. In this way. he
had promised him "Christmas cheer'. UnUke her father redeemed himself from his unfair ways and emerged
she sympathises with the guest and holding him by
an altogether changed person.
the hand. leads him to the dining table and m.-.kes him
eat In spite of her father"s fear and opposition. It Is due QS. How does the mmphof of the rattrap serve to
to her Intercession and compassion that the peddler hlghUght the human predicament? (Ncrnn
redeems himself from his evil wavs. Ans. A rattrap Is a device to catch rats by deception. The
world is compared to a rattrap which snares peopie
Q 3. The story has many instances of une•pected reactions
from the characters to other's behaviour. Pick out with Its riches. joys. shelter. food and clothing. When
instances of these surprises. one Is trapped. everything comes to an end. The
/Hcrnn
Ans. The story has several instances of unexpected metaphor of rattrap reveals man·s helplessness
reactions from the characters to other"s behaviour. restlessness. and powerlessness in the face of
First of all the crofter's reaction to the tramp·s request situations that pursuit of joys and luxuries land him
for shelter is entirely unexpected as no one ever in. Just as the bait of cheese and pork tempt and
received the cramp with such a welcoming reception. trap a rat. the peddler yields to the temptations at
The tramp himself got surprised because he was the crofter's cottage and then runs to escape. The
always greeted by people with sour faces. Secondly. onlv difference Is that for the peddler the world Is
the peddler's steaUng the crofter's money by a big rattrap. Though one cannot see the bars and
smashing the window pane is also totally unexpected. wires. this rattrap entraps the individual1> Uke him
His being welcomed by the crofter with so much of so securely that one cannot escape at all once
warmth and then breach of trust comes as a shock. trapped In the bait all his alms and ambitions remain
Thirdly. the ironmaster's unexpected invitation to unfulfilled. Several times one Is not ever aware of
the tramp comes as the next surprlse. His ~ having been trapped and thus goes on receding
accompany the ironmaster and later his joining him deeper and deeper Into the trap and loses all chances
at the manor house Is another such Instance. Later of getting out
on ttndlng his real ldentiftcatlon. the way lronmaster
Q6. The peddler comes out as a person with subtle sense
behaves with him and Edla"s Intercession are two
of humour, How does this serve In lightening the
iiicire"acts that fall Into this category. But the most
seriousness of the theme of the story and also endear
~ d gesture comes from the peddier°Vihen
him to us? (NCERn
he leaves a Christmas gift for Edla alonE with a lener
Ans. When we start reading the story, we hardly ftnd
of thanks and the stolen money which he wants Edla
to return to Its owner. Thus. the story Is replete with any humour. The pathetic condition of the peddler
several unexpected reactions. only draws our sympathies. His outlook towards life
is rather pessimistic. Ves. the foolish way in which
Q4. What makes the peddlor finally change his ways?
he acts Is guile humorous. He himself being a poor
(CBSE2019, 11crnn
rattrap peddler considers the world a rattrap. This
Or
attitude of his. ls certainly. humorous and entertaining,
A mistaken Identify led to a discovery of a new one
Then. his getting stuck in the darlc [Link] after his act
for the rattrap poddlor. How did this Impact him?
of robbery at the crofter"s. certainly compels us to
(CIISE SQP 2022 T,rm-2)
laugh. Then. the dramatic way in which he Is Invited
Ans. Broadly speaking no one is wicked by birth. Only
Into the lronma<ter"s house and his true Identity been
circumstances make him so. If he Is property
exposed leaves a humoro1.J1; touch The comparison of
undQmood he can be transformed Into his orlg)nal
temptation and sinfulness to a rattrap and bait Is also
being,
very amusing. His temptation followed by contrition
The peddler rattrap seller leads a miserable life of
is the main focus of the story. His ability to require
acute want. hunger. poverty and starvation without
ever coming across an angeUc soul to love or guide equilibrium makes him comical His philosophy. his
him. Neither the crofter's warm hospltaUty nor the chain of thought. his suilt consciousness and his
lronmaster's Invitation to the mt1nor house made clny reformation at the end. [Link] him truly human which
Impact on him. Rather he repaid the crofter by stealing Is what endears him to us.
 Q7. What made the peddler think that he had fallon Into a characters-the peddler. the crofter. the ironmaster
~1 and his daughter are the victims of loneliness and
Or desperately seek redemption from it First of all the
protagonist of the story-the peddler feels absolutely
How did the seller of rattraps reaUse that he himself
lonely. He has always met sour faces. cold words and
was caught up In a rattrap after he left the crofter's
unkind treatment Each one he meets with is apathetic
cottage?
towards him. He has been plodding the dreary paths
Or of Life with hardly any one to share his woes. Even
The peddler beUeved that the whole world Is a trap. after having walked miles and miles day In and day
How did he himself get caught In the same? out. he has never come across a single place In the
/CBS£ 2017) whole country where he could feel at home. He is
Ans. After the peddler had stolen the crofter's money. he shooed away wherever he goes.
feels quite pleased at his smartness. But soon the Now the old crofter. life has been kinder to him as
stolen amount became a nuisance for him. He had to at least he has got his cottage to Uve In. but In the
move through the forest instead of the public highway absence of wife and children: he yearns for company
lest he should be caught by the poUce. But the forest This ls why when the peddler comes to his home ~
turned out to be so confusing that he got lost In Its Is overwhelmed with !oy and extends his generous
twisted paths. Even after hours of walking, he found hospitality. Similarly. the lronmaster and his daughter
himself In the same part of the forest. It had grown too miss company of someone especially on
dark. There was no way to come out of the rare5t. Christmas. That Is the reason the lronmaster wants
That was when he realised that he had been trapped. to take the peddler home. he and his daughter are
EartJer he was amused by the Idea of people getting too excited to be hosts to the peddler whom the
trapped in the worldly bait. but now he realised It was ironmaster mistakes for a former comrade. Their
his tum. Quite foolishly he had been fooled by the bait guest In this way helps them to show their Christmas
and got badly caught In the Impenetrable prison of kindness and hospltaUty.
the trunks. thickets and branches of the forest. He Thus au of them have a strong yearning for bondln&
felt Uke a helpless mouse trapped In the rattrap with Bonding with the peddler gives !oy to the old crofter
nowhere to go. and he is full of Life In his Little cottage that night with
Qa. The story 'The Rattrap' focuses on human loneUness his guest around.
and the need to bond with others. Comment This is only bonding which transforms the trump and
Or enklndles goodness of heart Bonding again gives
How does the story, 'The Rattrap' hlghUght the the ironmaster and his daughter an opportunity to
Importance of community over Isolation? Support discover and practise their Christmas virtues. Love
your rationale with toxtual evidence. /CBS£ SQP 20211 and understanding of a young girt Edla gives the
Ans. The story 'The Rattrap' is replete with the theme tramp an opportunity to rid himself of his dishonest
of loneUness right from the beginning, All the ways.

~ _C_h_a_p_t_e_r_~_e_st_
Extract Based Question
Short Answer Type Questions
Q L That was not so badly said, my good fellow. 'Perhaps
we should let the sheriff alone on Christmas Eve. But Q 2. Why w•s the Ironmaster keen to take the peddler to
now get out of here as fast as you can'. his home?
Q 3. What was Edla's reaction on seeing the gift left by
(a) What does 'we should let the sheriff alone on the tramp?
Christmas Eve' mean? Q4. Why did the peddler decline the first Invitation to
(i) We should keep the police out of the matter the manor house and why did he accept the second
(II) We should not help the sheriff Invitation?
(iii) We should not disturb the sheriff long Answer Type Questions
(Iv) None of the above
Q 5. Discuss the metaphor of the rattrap according to the
(b) Who Is the speaker of the above Unes7 lesson 'The Rattrap'.
(c) Whom Is the speaker speaking to? Q 6. The lronmaster and his daughter are poles apart
(I) Edla WIUmansson (II) The author Comment
(iii) The peddler (iv) The crofter •
(d) 'Good fellow' refers to .......... ,.. .
(e) Who Is the author?
(f) How many persons are there In this scene?