NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English

Flamingo - Prose Chapter 4 - The Rattrap

NCERT Solutions

Think as you Read :-

1. From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?

Ans. During one of his usual plodding, the peddler thought on the subject of
rattraps. It presented him with the idea of the world being a rattrap and he grew
fond of thinking this way.

2. Why was the peddler amused by this idea?

Ans. The peddler was amused by the idea of the world being a giant rattrap as he
was never treated very kindly by the world. Therefore, he developed hard feelings
for this harsh world and loved ‘to think ill of it’ by comparing it with a giant rattrap

3. Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter?

Ans. No, the peddler did not expect the kind of hospitality that he had received from
the crofter. This was because he was generally greeted by harsh, sour and
unfriendly faces whenever he had knocked on doors and requested for shelter.
4. Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?

Ans. The crofter was a lonely fellow who lived alone in a little gray cottage by the
roadside. He had no wife or children, so he longed for a company or friends. So,
when the peddler reached his doorstep, he was happy to find someone to talk to
and felt happy to be relieved of his boredom and monotony. This is the reason he
was so talkative and friendly with the peddler.

5. Why did he show the thirty kroner to the peddler?

Ans. The crofter was a simple and trusting man who craved for company more than
anything else. He wanted to share his joy of earning the money with someone. He
got this chance when the peddler turned up at his house one day. Moreover,
thinking that the peddler did not believe him, he showed the peddler the thirty
kronor bills that he had kept in a leather pouch

6. Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?

Ans.No, the peddler did not respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter. In
fact, he betrayed his trust by robbing the thirty kroner. But somehow, later in the
story, his conscience was awakened by his stay with the Willmansons and their
kindness and he decided to return the money.

7. What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?

Ans. After stealing the money from the crofter, the peddler tried to escape through
the forest but soon lost his way. He was left in despair and he recollected his own
thoughts on the world being a giant rattrap. A sudden realisation came upon him
and he felt as if he had finally got himself caught in the rattrap because he had
allowed himself to be tempted by the bait, the thirty kronor bills. Similarly, on his
way to the ironmaster’s home, he felt himself caught in the trap. He was again
haunted by such thoughts when the ironmaster, after coming to know about the
truth of the peddler, threatened to get him arrested. The rattrap seller strongly
realised that the worldly bait had, once more, tempted and trapped him.
8. Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?

Ans. The ironmaster of the Ramsjö Ironworks spoke kindly to the peddler because
he had mistaken him for an old regimental comrade, Captain Von Stahle. So, the
ironmaster wanted to help the peddler, not only in regaining his health but also in
taking up a new vocation. Moreover, the ironmaster was a lonely fellow who lived
with his oldest daughter after the death of his wife and the departure of his sons. As
he longed for someone’s company on the christmas Eve, he invited the peddler to
his home.

9. Why did the peddler decline the invitation?

Ans. The peddler was alarmed at the idea and request of the ironmaster of
spending the night at his manor of the Ramsjö Ironworks, who also happened to be
an ex-army man. He did not make any attempt to correct the ironmaster when he
was mistaken for an old acquaintance. Moreover, he was more worried about the
fact that, he had the stolen thirty kronor bills with him, and accepting the invitation
would be like throwing himself voluntarily into the lion’s den. Therefore, the peddler
thought it better to decline the
invitation.

10. What made the peddler accept Edla Willmansson’s invitation?

Ans. Looking at the frightened expressions on the peddler’s face, Edla guessed
that the peddler had either stolen something or had escaped prison. So she hinted
an assurance that he would be free to leave whenever he wanted. Reassured by
Edla’s guarantee, he accepted the invitation.

11. What doubts did Edla have about the peddler

Ans. When Edla went to the iron mill to fetch the peddler, she noticed that he was
frightened. She had doubts that either the peddler had stolen something or had
escaped prison. His appearance and behaviour also left her in doubts whether he
was actually an educated man, as claimed by her father.
12. When did the ironmaster realise his mistake?

Ans. The ironmaster realised his mistake the next day when the peddler turned up
for breakfast. The valet had bathed the peddler, cut his hair, shaved him and given
him clothes. The ironmaster thought that he had been deceived in recognising the
person because of the shade of the furnace the previous night.

13. What did the peddler say in his defence when it was clear that he was not the
person the ironmaster had
thought he was?

Ans. The peddler defended himself by arguing time and again that he never said
that he was a captain or the old comrade of the ironmaster. In fact, he had
repeatedly declined the ironmaster’s invitation to spend the Christmas night at his
manor.

14. Why did Edla still entertain the peddler even after she knew the truth about
him?

Ans. Edla was a lady with a kind and sympathetic heart and was moved by the
plight of the peddler. She had requested her father to allow him to spend one day in
peace as a respite from the struggle he had endured round the year. Her principles
did not allow her to throw the man out of her house especially when they had
promised him a Christmas cheer. Moreover, she had been in high spirits that
morning, thinking of the ways to help the tramp. Therefore she entertained the
peddler even after knowing the truth about him.

15. Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?

Ans. Edla had shown great trust in the peddler by letting him stay at their manor on
the Christmas Eve but the news about the robbery of thirty kroner at the crofter’s
cottage had left her dejected. So she was overjoyed when she reached home to
find the package and the letter, left by the peddler. This gesture of appreciation
from the peddler made her happy.
16. Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von Stahle?

Ans. The peddler had never received respect honoured throughout his life. He was
always treated coldly by the world. For the first time in his life, he was being
honoured and respected. Even after the truth was exposed, the daughter of the
ironmaster treated him as she did before. The treatment he received, encouraged
him to behave in the similar manner. He signed as Captain von Stahle so as to
underline the impact of Edla’s goodness to him.

Understanding the Text :-

1. How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown to him
by the crofter, the
ironmaster and his daughter ?

Ans. The different ways in which he repaid the three people corresponded to the
way he interpreted the kindness of the three people. The peddler realised that for
the crofter it was his craving for a company that made him offer his hospitality. The
ironmaster’s hospitality was limited to his acquaintances. It was only the daughter
who showed genuine goodness. He was touched by Edla’s kindness and it made
him act differently. He repaid her good act with a gesture of true gratitude.

2. What are the instances in the story that show that the character of the ironmaster
is different from that of
his daughter in many ways?

Ans. Edla and her father were individuals of different natures. Edla had more
convincing power than her father and was able to persuade the peddler to accept
the invitation. We also read that the ironmaster’s hospitability was limited to his old
comrade. But, the daughter’s heart was pained by the plight of the peddler and so
she continued to treat him well even after the truth about his identity was revealed.
Again, after coming to know about the robbery of the crofter’s money at the prayer
service at church, while the ironmaster was more concerned with the possibility of
the peddler robbing them as well, the daughter is more pained by the betrayal of
her trust. We also find that while the father was impulsive and reckless in nature,
the behaviour of the daughter was more mature and controlled.
3. The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to
other’s behaviour. Pick out instances of these surprises

Ans. The first instance is the hospitality of crofter. The rattrap seller who was in a
habit of being shoed away was surprised at the friendly behaviour of the crofter. He
was also surprised at the sudden invitation of the ironmaster (at his mill where the
peddler had put up to take shelter at night) to spend the Christmas Eve at his
manor. Later, the ironmaster was also shocked to realise his mistake in recognising
the peddler, the next day. Another unexpected reaction was that of Edla, who in
spite of knowing the truth of the peddler intervenes to seek the peddler’s presence
on 367890 Christmas Eve. The most unexpected reaction is from the peddler when
he leaves an envelope and a letter for Edla showing gratitude for the girl’s kindness
and hospitality.

4. What made the peddler finally change his ways?

Ans. The experience of the peddler at the manor of the Willmanssons made him
change his ways. Earlier, he had neither known nor come across a true
sympathiser or well-wisher. He had no friend to steer him on the right path. Though
the crofter had been very hospitable to him and even the ironmaster had almost
offered him help, they both failed to leave any impact on him. It was Edla who,
through her genuine care and understanding was finally able to change the peddler
for the better.

5. How does the metaphor of a rattrap serve to highlight human predicament?

Ans. The metaphor of a rattrap signifies that the world exists only to trap people by
setting baits for them. Whenever someone is tempted by some luxury, he ends up
being caught in a dangerous trap. The author makes a deeper comment on the
woeful plight of those in pursuit of worldly pleasure which often leads them to
unpleasant situations. The story helps in realising the importance of general
goodness and kindness. The peddler is saved from the snare of the trap of the
world when he appreciates the kindness extended to him by Edla.

6. 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?
Ans. The peddler doesn’t come across as a humorous person, although one can
easily find a subtle sense of humour in the way he thought about the world as being
a giant rattrap. He was singularly pleased by this thought because it provided him
with the opportunity of thinking ill of the world that was not kind to him. It is clearly
visible that whenever he was caught unaware in the web of deceit spun by his
scheming mind, he hid himself behind the thought that the world was a rattrap and
he was merely a prey. Thus, he lightened the mood and theme of the story and
made us endear him