THE RATTRAP

- Selma Lagerloff
MAJOR THEMES:

 The trap of material benefit that most human beings are prone to fall into.

(Write only the headings & Sub-headings)

1. Redemption and Transformation:
- Moral Awakening: The peddler's journey from a cynical, deceitful man to someone who
recognizes the value of kindness and honesty.
- Role of Compassion: Edla Willmansson's kindness plays a crucial role in the peddler's
transformation, highlighting how empathy can lead to redemption.
2. Human Nature and Weakness:
- Temptation and Fall: The peddler’s belief that the world is a giant rattrap, where people are
trapped by their desires for material possessions.
- Loneliness and Despair: The peddler’s and crofter's loneliness drives their actions,
emphasizing the impact of isolation on human behavior.
3. Generosity and Trust:
- Betrayal of Trust: The crofter’s trust in the peddler, which is betrayed when the peddler
steals his money.
- Restoration of Trust: Edla’s unwavering trust in the peddler despite knowing his past,
leading to his moral redemption.
4. Class and Social Status:
- Ironmaster’s Authority: The ironmaster's initial treatment of the peddler, driven by his pride
and social status.
- True Nobility: Edla’s treatment of the peddler, demonstrating that true nobility lies in one's
actions and compassion rather than social standing.
SUB-THEMES:

 The human tendency to redeem oneself from dishonest ways.

1. Appearance vs. Reality:

- Mistaken Identity: The ironmaster's initial mistake in identifying the peddler as an old
comrade.
 - True Identity: The revelation of the peddler’s true identity and his inner transformation.
2. Forgiveness and Second Chances:
- Edla’s Forgiveness: Edla’s willingness to forgive the peddler and give him a second chance,
which plays a crucial role in his transformation.
- Self-Forgiveness: The peddler’s eventual forgiveness of himself, leading to his decision to
return the stolen money.
3. Materialism and Moral Values:
- Material Trap: The metaphor of the rattrap representing how people are trapped by material
desires.
- Moral Triumph: The peddler’s final act of returning the stolen money, signifying his moral
victory over material temptations.
4. Isolation and Companionship:
- Crofter’s Loneliness: The crofter’s eagerness for companionship, leading him to trust the
peddler.
- Peddler’s Isolation: The peddler’s initial isolation and his gradual integration into a more
compassionate world through Edla’s kindness.
5. Role of Kindness:
- Edla’s Compassion: How Edla’s compassionate behavior contrasts with the peddler’s initial
cynicism and leads to his eventual redemption.
- Impact on the Peddler: The profound impact of a single act of kindness on the peddler’s
life, illustrating the transformative power of empathy.

IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER: (to be written in class work)

1. The story -set- in the mines of Sweden-rich in iron ore.
2. Tramp- physical appearance:
- had sunken cheeks; eyes gleamed with hunger
- led a sad & dull life
- lived in rags.
- earned his living by selling rattraps -business not profitable.
- resorted to- begging & thievery.
- Philosophical thought- whole world a big rattrap-attracts people with riches, joy shelter,
food, clothing just as cheese & pork attract a rat.
3. Peddler's meeting the Crofter:
- One day-dark evening-saw little grey cottage & asked for shelter
- Owner old man-alone-needed company- welcomed the peddler.
- Old man-Crofter at Ramsjo ironworks earlier, now-had a cow-by selling milk had earned
about 30 kronor-money hung in leather bag near window frame.
- crofter-hospitable- offered porridge to eat, tobacco, played cards'
- next morning the tramp left - returned half an hour later-stole the money.
- Walked on public highway -went to the forest- lost his way-realised caught in trap.
4. Peddler's meeting the owner of the Iron mill:
- Owner of the mill-rich; on night inspection-saw peddler-mistook for Nils Olof (Captain
von Stahle)-invited him to the Manor house-peddler refused the invitation.
5. Owner sent his daughter Edla Willmansson:
- Edla not pretty, modest, shy, compassionate.
- She sensed that either the peddler has escaped from jail or stolen something.
- The peddler accepted the invitation on Edla's assurance that he could go back as freely as
he would come.
6. Christmas Eve:
- Peddler-bathed, shaven, wore clean new clothes-owner realized his mistake.
- Peddler confessed not being acquaintance; said he had been forced to come to the house;
reacted angrily to threat of calling the police by the iron master.
- Edla requested her father to allow the peddler to stay for Christmas Eve.
- Peddler was gifted a suit; treated with warmth,
7. Christmas Morning:
- Edla & her father went to church-heard about the theft at crofter's house by a peddler-
worried- return home-peddler had left a package for Edla.
- Package contained-small rattrap, three wrinkled ten kronor notes & a letter for Edla -
expressing thanks for raising him to the level of Captain from an ordinary peddler &
asking her to return the money to the old man.
CHARACTERS: (to be written in CW)
1 Peddler: Cynical, dishonest, poor, lonely, thief, deceives people, ungrateful-later Edla's
kindness & love changes him to an honest, grateful person.
2. Edla: Not pretty but kind, compassionate, shy, modest, insightful, courageous, good at
persuading others.
3. Iron Master: helpful, kind, loses patience quickly, loving father, authoritative, proud egoistic,
impulsive, capable of change
4. Crofter: friendly, lonely, loved the company of people, talkative, hospitable, generous, easily
trusts others, naïve, victim of circumstances.
CHARACTER SKETCH (only to read)
1. The Peddler
- Cynical and Distrustful: The peddler is initially depicted as a cynical man who views the
world as a giant rattrap, where people are ensnared by the bait of wealth and possessions.
- Poor and Lonely: He is a poor, homeless wanderer who resorts to petty theft and begging to
survive, reflecting his isolation and despair.
- Deceptive: His actions, such as stealing from the crofter, demonstrate his deceptive nature and
lack of moral scruples.
- Transformative Journey: Throughout the story, the peddler undergoes a significant
transformation. The kindness and hospitality shown by Edla Willmansson awaken his sense
of morality and self-worth, leading him to change his ways.
2. Edla Willmansson
- Kind and Compassionate: Edla is depicted as a compassionate and kind-hearted young
woman. Her empathy and genuine concern for the peddler play a crucial role in his
transformation.
- Insightful: She possesses a deep understanding of human nature, recognizing the peddler's
need for kindness and respect despite his rough exterior.
- Courageous: Edla shows courage and determination in persuading her father, the ironmaster, to
allow the peddler to stay for Christmas, reflecting her strong moral convictions.
- Transformative Influence: Her compassion and hospitality are the catalysts for the peddler's
change of heart, highlighting her positive influence on others.
3. The Ironmaster
- Authoritative and Proud: The ironmaster is a wealthy and influential man who takes pride in
his social status and authority.
- Impulsive: He acts impulsively, initially mistaking the peddler for an old comrade and inviting
him home. Upon realizing the peddler's true identity, he reacts with anger and a sense of betrayal.
- Egoistic: His initial kindness is driven by a desire to reconnect with an old friend, and his
subsequent anger reveals his ego and pride.
- Capable of Change: Despite his initial harshness, he ultimately respects his daughter's
judgment and allows the peddler to stay, indicating a capacity for change and understanding.
4. The Crofter
- Lonely and Trusting: The crofter is an old, lonely man who eagerly welcomes the peddler into
his home, seeking companionship and someone to share his stories with.
- Generous: He generously shares his food and shows the peddler his money, which ultimately
leads to the peddler stealing from him.
- Naïve: His trusting nature makes him vulnerable to deception, as he readily believes in the
peddler's goodwill.
- Victim of Circumstances: Despite his generosity, he becomes a victim of the peddler's deceit,
illustrating the theme of trust and betrayal in the story.