THE RATTRAP- —selma Lapel Introduction “The Rattrap’ is a story that gives us a psychological insight into human nature. The author highlights how greed for material things entraps human beings. The story upholds the belief that the essential goodness of a human being can be awakened through love and understanding, It brings into focus the dea that the world is a rattrap. Riches, joys, shelter and food are all lucrative baits to trap mankind Theme got tie ‘The chapter, ‘The Rattrap’ covers the theme of the basic human need for companionship, and shows the negative effects of loneliness. The story stresses on the fact that most human beings are prone to fall into the trap of material benefit. The author targets the materialistic approach of the people. The worldly riches have disillusioned them, and they are running after the things which are temporary. Main Characters The peddler He is the protagonist and central character of the story. He is an unnamed man who lives as a tramp, wandering the countryside and selling rattraps. As he does not make enough money from this to survive, the rattrap peddler also engages in petty thievery and begging. Characteristics of peddler: Vagabond, thief, beggar, witty, philosopher, pragmatist and humorous. Edla Willmansson aster, She is described as ‘not at all pretty, but modest and Edla is the daughter of the iron s the peddler to come to her house and quite shy’. She is also exceptionally kind, She convin then convinces her father to let the peddler stay for Christmas Eve. She is the most positive figure in the story, and her compassion and generosity are the reasons for the peddler’s transformation, Characteristics of Edla Willmansson: Kind, compassionate, friendly, charming, modest, shy, persuasive, sensitive, understanding, hospitable, honest and innocent.lronmaster Ironmaster is Edla Willmansson's father and the man who owns Ramsjo Ironworks. He is a very prominent ironmaster. He steps by at his forge every day and night to watch the work, and inspects the quality of his products. In his younger days, he was in the military, so he mistakes the peddler for his ‘old regimental comrade’ Captain von Stahle. Characteristics of Ironmaster: Greedy, cautious, hospitable, suspicious, unkind and taskmaster. The Crofter This is an old man who lets the peddler spend the night at his house. As the old man is lonely, he is glad to have a company and provides the peddler with food, tobacco and conversation. He is a very kind, and generous old man, but the peddler repays his generosity by stealing thirty kronors from him. Characteristics of Crofter: Lonely, happy, friendly, gullible, generous and hospitable Bimini y. The story begins like a fairy tale. The central character is a beggar and a petty thief who goes about selling rattraps of wire to make a small living. He finds it difficult to make both ends meet. It makes him reflect about his own condition and the world at large. He realises that the whole world is nothing but a big rattrap. It offers rich and varied baits to people who bite on them and get trapped in the rattrap. The storyline unfolds gradually with the various baits being offered to the beggar. The old man that the tramp meets is generous with his hospitality but the bait of the three ten-kronor bills is enough to tempt him. Next at the Ramsjé Ironworks, while seeking shelter for the night, the tramp bites the bait offered to him by the owner (though he initially refuses it), the ironmaster, based on mistaken identity. Edla, the ironmaster’s daughter, offers yet another bait of full-hearted generosity, comfortable living and a magically peaceful Christmas for the tramp. Finally, the bitter truth dawns on the hosts. Eadla is downcast when she learns that the peddler is a thief. The tramp undergoes a change of heart after experiencing her kindness. He returns the stolen money and writes a letter to her, thanking her for helping him escape the rattrap. He attains nobility of spirit and becomes Captain von Stable. The story ends with the victory of human goodness. Think as you read 1. From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a Tattrap? ‘Ans. One day while thinking about his own rattraps, the peddler realised that the whole world around him was a rattrap. Why was he amused by this idea? Ans. The peddler believed that the world with all its riches and joy asa rattrap to tempt people. He was amused to think of who were already caught in the trap, and some others who » ys, food and shelter appears many other people he knew, were lisAns. Ans. Ans. Ans. 10. Ans. 1. Ans. 12, Ans. . The peddler did not expect to rece . The crofter _ ‘The crofter felt proud of the cow th Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter? ive the kind of hospitality he received from the crofter. He usually used to meet sour faces and was turned away without even a word of kindness. Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler? [CBSE Delhi 2011, 2012) ative and friendly with the peddler because he always lived alone a re his feelings with somebody. The peddler had nd he had to pass the night, so he listened peacefully. rs to the peddler? at gave him enough milk to support him. So he irty kronors from the creamery as the payment of he felt that the peddler did not believe him. Thus, is so talk: and needed co sufficient time Why did he show the thirty krono told the peddler that he had got thi previous month’s supply. However, | he showed the money to convince him. Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter? [CBSE (Al) 2008} The peddler had no respect for the crofter’s confidence reposed in him. In fact, he came back, smashed the windowpane, and stole the money. What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap? After stealing the crofter’s money, the peddler believed that it was not safe to walk along the public highway. So he went into the woods. He walked there but could not get out of P ighway. g it. He soon realised that he had fallen into a rattrap. The forest with its trunks, branches and undergrowths appeared to him like an impenetrable prison. Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home? The ironmaster mistook the peddler for an old regimental comrade, who had fallen om s Pi gi evil days. So he invited the peddler to come home with him. Why did the peddler decline the invitation? The peddler was afraid as he was carrying stolen money with him. The peddler knew that she ironmaster had mistaken him for an old regimental comrade and feared that the ironmaster would send him to the police. He felt it was like walking into a lion's den- What made the peddler accept Edla Willmansson’s invitation? ‘The peddler accepted her invitation as she spoke kindly to him. She realised that he was afraid. Thus, she assured him that no harm would come to him and that he as liberty to leave whenever he wanted. What doubts did Edla have about the peddler? [CBSE Sample Paper 20151 Edla was kind, rusting and compassionate. She had promised joy and festivities to‘ peddler on Christmas eve, ‘Therefore, she entertains the peddier even after she lea! the truth about him, Edla previously thought that the peddler had stolen something 8 She did not believe him to be educated, thus, she did not think of him as her father’s old regimental comrade. had escaped from jai Whee did the ironmaster realise his mistake? The ironmaster had seen the peddler in the dim light of the furnace. When the ped@=t came well-groomed in the broad daylight, the ironmaster realised that he was mistake™Ee F i The peddler said that he never 4, Why di , Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler? What did the peddler say in his defen = ; the ironmaster had thought he wag? nC? it Was clear that he was not the person Pretended to be j ‘ desired to be permitted to sleepin the forge Tonio dake ne ee te ironmaster's invitation, again and again, He even offered tenet ene go away. '0 put on his rags again, and dla entertain the peddler even after she knew the truth about him? : jim? Edla served him not as her father’s old comrade, She always thought him to be a homeless poor tramp. She wanted to feed supper rf 8 to the mi i and make him feel welcomed, ‘Thus, she let iste oY aaa him stay. [CBSE (Al) 2010} She had invited the peddler to her house, but w that the peddler had stolen the money from as worried that he might have stolen things from her house as overjoyed to see the gift and to find all things untouched. Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain yon Stahle? [CBSE (Al) 2009} The peddler signed himself as Captain von Stahle because Edla, with her kindness and empathy, had made him feel like a real captain. He also mentions that he would've been caught in this world’s rattrap if he had not been raised to captain, All this was due to Edla’s behaviour, who made him feel like a real captain. Edla was the daughter of the ironmaster, when she was in church, she came to kno the crofter’s house. She w too. But later, she w [Understanding the Text fea. k | Ans. aE » What are the instances i » There are several instances How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter, the ironmaster and his daughter? The peddler was a man selling small rattraps made of wire. All around, he led a sad and monotonous life of a vagabond. He knocked at the door of the house of the crofter, who was an old man without wife and children. He showed kindness and hospitality unexpected by the peddler. Still the rattrap peddler stole his thirty kronors. So he betrayed the confidence reposed in him by the crofter. Later, the ironmaster thinking him to be an old acquaintance, invited him to his house. The peddler played along thinking that ironmaster might give him a couple of kronors. He did not reveal his true identity. Edla Willmansson, the ironmaster’s daughter asked him to come to her home in a very compassionate and friendly manner. He agreed to go to their home. But while he was riding to the manor house, he had “evil forebodings”. He felt guilty for stealing the crofter’s money. The ironmaster, after realising that he was not the captain, told him to leave the house immediately. However, the insistence of Edla allowed him to spend the Christmas evening in their house. The peddler wondered about it. However, he interpreted it to be her nobleness, kindness and generosity. the story that show that the character of the ironmaster is different from that of his daughter in many ways? Talk 1 the story to prove that ironmaster's character is different from his daughter's in many ways. The ironmaster mistook the peddler to be an old acquaintance. So he invited him to his house to spend Christmas evening. The peddler however, declined his invitation. So, the ironmaster sent his daughter with the hope that Literature Textbooks ... 235eo Ans. Ans. Ans. she would have better ways of persuasion. The compassionate manner of the daughter won the confidence of the peddler, who agreed to go to their home. However, once the valet bathed the peddler, cut his hair, shaved him and dressed him in a good-looking suit, the ironmaster had the realisation that he was someone else. The ironmaster, who could be called impulsive, told him to get out of his house immediately. However, his daughter said that he should stay with them that day, for Christmas She felt sympathetic towards ‘the poor hungry wretch’, She believed that he could have a day of peace with them—just one in the whole year, She even told him to take his father’s suit asa Christmas gift, Her attitude changed the peddler who left with her the money he had stolen from the crofier ‘The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to others’ behaviour, Pick out instances of these surprises. es of unexpected reactions from the characters to others’ behaviour, Walking along the road one evening, the peddler saw a light grey cottage by the roadside, He sought shelter for the night. Usually, he was met by ‘sour faces’. However, unexpectedly the house owner, the crofter, an old man without wife or children, greeted him. He showed hospitality by serving food and taking care of him. ‘Then the peddler was entrapped in the forest. Over there, he sought shelter at the Ramsjé Ironworks. When he met the ironmaster, he insisted that he spends the Christmas evening at his home. The ironmaster mistook him for an old regimental comrade, When the peddler declined the offer, Edla, the ironmaster’s daughter, went there to persuade him to come to their house. Later, the ironmaster realised that he had mistaken the stranger's identity and told him to leave his house immediately. But Edla unexpectedly convinced her father to let him stay for Christmas in the house. The most surprising reaction, however was the transformation of the peddler that was a result of the behaviour of Edla towards him. What made the peddler finally change his ways? The peddler, in addition to selling small rattraps of wire, was petty thief. From the house of the crofier, he stole thirty kronors. This was inspite of the fact that the crofter sheltered him in his house fora night and gave him the best possible hospitality. However, the kind and generous behaviour of Edla Willmansson, the ironmaster’s daughter, finally changed him. The ironmaster invited him to his hous old regimental comrade. But realising that the peddler was not his old acquaintance but someone else, he told him to leave his house immediately. However, Edla showed pity on him and persuaded her father to permit him to spend the Christmas with them. Her behaviour changed his conscience and while giving her gift of a rattrap, In ‘The Rattrap’, there are instar mistaking him for an he requested her to return the thirty kronors of the crofter which he had stolen. A complete transformation takes place in the peddler due to Edla. How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human predicament? In the story, “The Rattrap’, the peddler sells small rattraps made of wire. Thinking of his rattraps, he was suddenly struck by the idea that the whole world around him—with its lands and seas, its cities and villages—was a big rattrap. He believed that the world existed for no other purpose but to set baits for people. The world was full of riches and joys, shelter and food, heat and clothing, just as the rattrap offered food. When anyone was tempted to touch the bait, it trapped him, and it brought everything to an end,Thus, the metaphor of the rattrap serves to highlight the human predicament. The more we are allured by the wordly things, the more we are entrapped by them. There is no way out because the more you want, the less you have. The peddler comes out as a person with a subtle sense of humour. How does this serve in lightening the seriousness of the theme of the story and also endear him to us? The peddler had a great sense of humour. He contrasts the whole world with a rattrap. It sets bait for people. Since the world was never kind to him, he got ‘unwonted joy’ to think ill of it this way. His pastime was to think about people he knew who had been caught in the dangerous web, and of others who were close to being caught. It depicts his sense of humour. With stolen money of the crofter, he felt “quite pleased with his smartness”. Entrapped in the forest, he thought about the world and the rattrap. He believed that he had been fooled by a bait and had been caught. It shows his sense of humour. He did not tell his real identity to the ironmaster as he thought that thinking him as an old acquaintance, ironmaster may ‘throw him a couple of kronors’. Going to the manor house, he believed that he was sitting in the trap and would never get out of it. As the ironmaster came to know that he was not his old acquaintance and threatened to call the sheriff, he replied that the whole world was nothing but a big rattrap and that one day it will be ironmaster’s turn to be trapped. The ironmaster began to laugh over this. His sense of humour serves in lightening the seriousness of the theme of the story. It also evokes our sympathy for him.