THE RATTRAP – PROJECT FILE
Page 1: Cover Page
Title: The Rattrap
Author: Selma Lagerlöf
Subject: English (Flamingo)
Class: XII
Student Name: _
Roll No.: _
School: _
Teacher: _
Session: ____
Page 2: Acknowledgement
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my English teacher for guiding me in completing this project
on The Rattrap. I am also thankful to my parents and friends for their constant support and encouragement.
This project has helped me understand the story, its themes, and moral values in a better way.
Page 3: About the Author – Selma Lagerlöf
Selma Lagerlöf was a famous Swedish writer. She was born in 1858 and became the first woman to receive
the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1909. Her writings often focus on moral values, human goodness, and
transformation. The Rattrap is one of her most well-known stories, highlighting compassion and
redemption.
MAIN CONTENT (5–7 PAGES)
Page 1: Introduction to the Story
The Rattrap is a thought-provoking short story written by Selma Lagerlöf. The story presents life as a rattrap
where human beings are tempted by material pleasures such as money, comfort, and power. These
temptations act as bait, trapping people and leading them towards moral downfall. Through the journey of
a poor rattrap peddler, the author highlights how compassion and understanding can bring about a positive
transformation in a person’s life.
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Page 2: Summary of the Chapter
The story begins with a poor peddler who earns his living by selling rattraps. Due to constant rejection and
loneliness, he develops a philosophy that the world is like a rattrap, offering bait in the form of material
pleasures. One evening, he takes shelter at a crofter’s cottage, where the old man treats him kindly and
shares his food. The crofter also shows him the thirty kronor he has earned by selling milk.
Later, tempted by greed, the peddler steals the money and runs into the forest. While wandering aimlessly,
he realizes that he has fallen into his own rattrap and fears punishment. He then reaches an iron mill, where
the ironmaster mistakes him for an old regimental friend and takes him home. When the truth is revealed,
the ironmaster becomes angry and wants him to leave.
However, Edla Willmansson, the ironmaster’s daughter, shows compassion and allows the peddler to stay
for Christmas. Her kindness deeply touches him. The next morning, Edla finds that the peddler has left a
rattrap as a gift, containing the stolen money and a letter. Through this act, the peddler redeems himself
and proves that kindness can bring moral transformation.
Page 3: Justification of the Title
The title The Rattrap is highly symbolic and meaningful. The peddler believes that the entire world is like a
big rattrap set for human beings. The attractions of wealth, luxury, and happiness act as bait. Once a person
is tempted by these, it becomes difficult to escape without suffering. When the peddler steals the crofter’s
money, he realizes that he himself has fallen into this rattrap. Thus, the title perfectly conveys the central
idea of the story.
Page 3: Character Sketch of the Peddler
The peddler is a poor man who earns his living by selling rattraps. He leads a lonely and miserable life and
often faces hunger and rejection. To cope with his suffering, he develops a cynical philosophy that the world
is a rattrap. Though he commits a crime by stealing money, he is not a hardened criminal. His conscience
troubles him, and Edla’s kindness helps him rediscover his goodness and self-respect.
Page 4: Role of Edla Willmansson
Edla Willmansson is the most compassionate character in the story. Unlike her father, she does not judge
the peddler by his appearance or actions. She treats him with respect, kindness, and warmth, especially
during Christmas. Her sympathetic behavior gives the peddler a chance to reform. Edla represents true
humanity and shows how love and understanding can bring about moral change.
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Page 5: Theme of the Story
The main theme of the story is that life is full of temptations that can trap people. Other important themes
include the power of kindness, redemption, and the importance of human values. The story emphasizes
that goodness can awaken the conscience of even the most lost individuals and guide them towards the
right path.
Page 6: Moral and Message of the Story
The moral of The Rattrap is that kindness and compassion have the power to transform human beings. The
story warns us against greed and materialism and teaches us that true happiness lies in honesty and
goodness. Selma Lagerlöf conveys that everyone deserves a chance to improve and that sympathy can free
people from moral traps.
Page 7: Relevance of the Story in Modern Times
The story remains relevant in today’s materialistic world, where people often fall into the traps of greed and
dishonesty. It reminds us that empathy and kindness are essential values that can help create a better
society. The Rattrap encourages readers to look beyond appearances and believe in the possibility of change
in every individual.
Page 8: Bibliography
• NCERT English Flamingo – Class XII
• Teacher’s Class Notes
• Reference Websites