Chapter: 4
The
Rattrap Selma Lagerlof
SUMMARY
The
story is set amidst the mines of Sweden, rich in iron ore, which figure large
in the history and legends of that country. It is about a rattrap peddler who
went around selling rattraps. His business was not profitable and sometimes
he had to resort to petty thievery and begging. One day trudging along the
road, he got the idea of the world being a rattrap. This idea amused him very
much. One evening he happened to be received by an old crofter who was so
much innocent that he showed the peddler the place where he kept the money,
to the result that he was robbed by the peddler next morning.
After
stealing the money, the peddler avoided the main path and entered the woods
but soon he realized that he himself had got into a rattrap and it was
difficult for him to get out of that. Fortunately, he heard a thumping sound
from an iron factory. He moved in that direction and soon reached there. With
the permission of the master blacksmith, he stayed there. Later the
iron-master recognized him as his friend Nils Olof and tried to take him to
his house but he refused. Therefore he sent his daughter Edla to bring him
home who succeeded in her efforts.
At
ironmaster’s home when he bathed himself, truth dawned and the Iron master
became furious. At that juncture, the peddler pontificated about his rattrap
philosophy. The ironmaster was amused by that philosophy but didn’t want him
to stay there. But Edla didn’t want a guest to leave their house who had come
there on Christmas so he spent Christmas with them. Next day when they went
to church, they came to know that the man was a thief. When they returned
home, they found that the peddler had left home but took nothing instead he
had left a rattrap with a letter and the three ten kronor notes which he had
stolen from the crofter.
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Theme
The idea which recurs in the story again and
again is that the world is nothing but a big rattrap which exists for no other
purpose but to set bait for poor people. This idea has been corroborated
through the story of a peddler who went around selling rattraps made of wire
but as the business was not profitable, he resorted to petty thievery and
begging. One day he was caught into the rattrap of the world by stealing a crofter’s
money but came out of it due to the kindness , trust and compassion shown by
Edla, the Iron Master’s daughter.
Setting
This story is set amidst the mines of Sweden,
rich in iron ore which figure large in the history and legends of that country.
More particularly, the action takes place in and around the iron works and the house of the Iron Master.
Characters
1. Peddler - He
is the main character of this story around whom the story revolves. He sells rattraps made of wire. But the business is not very profitable so he has to
resort to petty thievery and begging. Once while walking along the road, he
gets an idea of the world being a rattrap and one day he himself is caught in
the trap.
2. Iron
Master - He is the owner of the Ramsjo
Iron Works. His greatest ambition is to ship out good iron into market. He
watches both day and night to see that the work is done well. He wrongly
identifies the peddler as one of his old acquaintances.
3. Edla
Wilmansson - She is the daughter of
the Iron Master. She is not very much pretty but modes and shy. She helps the
peddler come out of the trap of the world.
4. Master
Blacksmith -He is the first man to
meet the peddler. He treats the peddler very coldly.
Main Points
1. Once
upon a time there was a man who went around selling rattraps made of wire. But
his business was not very profitable.
2. He
resorted to petty thievery and begging to make his both ends meet.
3. One
day when he was trudging along the road, he was struck by an idea that the
whole world is nothing but a big rattrap which had existed for no other purpose
but to set baits for poor people just like a rattrap.
4. As
the world had never been kind to him, he always felt happy thinking of the
people who were caught in the trap were about to be caught.
5. One
evening when he was trudging along the road, he saw a cottage.
6. An
old man without wife and child welcomed and offered him porridge , tobacco and
even played cards with him until bed time.
7. The
old man told the peddler that he ws a crofter and worked at Ramsjo Iron Works.
But now as he was unable to do day labour, it was his cow that supported him.
8. The
crofter even showed him the thirty cronor bills.
9. Later,
when both went on their ways. The peddler returned and breaking the window pane
he took the money shown by the crofter.
10. He
felt quite pleased at his smartness and not daring to move on the public
highway, turned into the forest.
11. After
walking for sometime in the forest he recalled his thoughts of the world and
the rattrap.
12. Unable
to get out of the forest, he finally collapsed on the ground. But then he heard
a sound and moved in that direction.
13. He
found Ramsjo Iron Works there. The Master Blacksmith and his helper were
sitting in the forge.
14. There
were different noises and because of that nobody could notice him until he
stood very close to the furnace.
15. He
asked permission to be allowed to stay in the forge.
16. The
Master Blacksmith permitted him without uttering a single word.
17. Later,
when the Iron Master came on his nightly round, he found the peddler lying
there and went close to him.
18. He
mistook the peddler to be his old friend Nils Olof and requested the peddler to
accompany him to the Manor House.
19. But
the peddler, afraid of being caught refused.
20. Later,
the Iron Master sent his daughter to persuade him.
21. The
daughter Edla convinced him by saying that he would be allowed to go as freely
as he came.
22. The
peddler convinced by Edla’s words, accepted her offer and accompanied her to
the Manor House.
23. But
after he was shaved and bathed, the Iron Master understood that he had made a
mistake.
24. The
Iron Master wanted to take the matter to Sheriff. This made the peddler angry
and he lectured him on the world being a rattrap.
25. The
Iron Master, amused by his lecture, dropped the idea of Sheriff but asked him
to get out.
26. But
Edla interceded and said it is not fair to chase away a man whom they
thmeselved have invited.
27. Afterwards,
he was treated very well at the Manor house. He was given all meals and even a Christmas present.
28. The
peddler was invited ever for the next Christmas. He was unable to understand
this unusual sympathy and kindness.
29. On
the next day after Christmas when the Iron Master and his daughter went to
church, they came to know that the peddler was the man who had looted one of
their crofters.
30. When
they reached home, they cme to know that the peddler was gone but he hadn’t
taken anything with him instead he had left behind a Christmas present for
Edla.
31. The
Christmas present included a rattrap, three ten Kronor notes and a letter which
he signed off as Captain Von Stahle.
GLOSSARY
Petty - Trifle, Trivial
Rags - Torn clothing
Vagabond - Vagrant, Tramp
Bait - Temptation, Lure
Unwonted - Unusual, Rare
Snare - Trap, Noose
Dreary - Dull, Tedious
Plodding - Trudge, Walk heavily
Crofter - Tenant farmer, Small farmer
Incredulous - Suspicious, Doubtful
Impenetrable - Impassable,
Inviolable
Descending - Downward, Going down
Despair - Desperation, Hopelessness
Staggered - Totter, to walk unsteadily
Smelter - An apparatus for melting
Groaned - Uttered a sound
Shovel - Scoop, Shift
Sooty - Black, Inky
Maw - Mouth, Opening
Intruder - Prowler, Stranger
Dangling - Hanging, Slinging
Ragamuffin - A shabbily clothed person
Haughty - Proud, Arrogant
Consent - Permission, Approval
Slouch - Drooping, Stooping
Prominent - Important, Noted
Deigned - Condescend, Act
Acquaintance - Familiar
person, Fellow
Inconspicuously - Unnoticeably,
without attracting attention
Sneak - Slip away, Steal away
Valet - Attendant, Servant
Abruptly - Suddenly, Snappily
Compassionately - Kindly,
Pityingly
Astonished - Surprised, Amazed
Foreboding - Premonition, Omen
Puckered - Wrinkled, Creased
Dissimulate - Disguise, Dissemble
Rinds - Peel, Skin
Interceded - Intervened, intermediated
Preach - Sermonize, Moralize
Fare - Food, Diet
Blink - Closing and opening the eyes rapidly
Jagged - Uneven, Broken
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
1. How was the peddler treated by the
crofter?
Ans: The peddler was
treated very nicely by the crofter. As soon as he saw the peddler, he put the
porridge pot on fire, carved out a big slice of tobacco roll and taking a pack
of cards played mjolis with him until bed time.
2. Why was he amused at the idea of the
world being a rattrap?
Ans: His own life was sad
and monotonous. He was a vagabond, lonely and isolated from any family life.
The world had treated him harshly. So it gave him unwonted joy to think of the world in this way.
3. What made the peddler think that he had
indeed fallen into a rattrap?
Ans: After having stolen
thirty kronors from the crofter, the peddler walked off into the woods. When
even after walking for a long time, he could not come out of the forest,
herecalled his thoughts about the world, and the rattrap and he realized that
he had let himself be fooled by a bait and had been caught.
4. Why did the iron master speak kindly to the peddler and
invite him home?
Ans: When the iron master saw
the peddler in his forge, in the uncertain reflection from the furnace he
mistook him as his old regimental comrade Captain Von Stahle. He addressed the stranger as Nils Olof and invited
him home to spend the Christmas with him and his daughter as they didn’t have any guest at Christmas.
5. Why did the peddler decline the
invitation of the ironmaster?
Ans: The peddler was aware
of the fact that the ironmaster had extended an invitation to his comrade,
Captain Von Stahle and not to him. Moreover, he was afraid that if he was
recognized, he would be caught and his thirty kronors would also be taken away.
6. What made the peddler accept Edla
Willmansson’s invitation?
Ans: Edla’s ability to
persuade and convince the peddler to stay on made him accept the invitation.
She was compassionate and friendly. She asked him not to be afraid and assured
him that he could go away as freely as he came, after Christmas dinner.
7. When did the iron master realize his
mistake?
Ans: The
iron master realised his mistake when he met the stranger the next morning. The
valet had bathed him, cut his hair and shaved him. Moreover, he was dressed in
a suit which belonged to the iron master. He wore a white shirt, a starched
collar and whole shoes. When the iron master saw him in broad daylight it
was impossible to mistake him for an old acquaintance now. The iron master
threatened to hand him over to the sheriff.
8. How did the peddler defend himself against not having
revealed his true identity?
Ans: The peddler said He
was not at fault. All along he had maintained
that he was a poor trader. He had requested to be allowed to stay alone in the
forge and it was the Iron Master and his daughter who forced him to go the
Manor house. He was willing to put on his rags again and go away.
9. Why did Edla intercede for the peddler?
Ans: Edla had felt very
homelike and Christmassy at the thought of having a guest at Christmas. She was
very happy that she was going to make things for the poor hungry wretch. She
could not get out of the idea all at once. That’s why she interceded for the
peddler.
10. Why did the peddler sign himself as
Captain Von Stahle?
Ans: The peddler was treated
very nicely by Edla as if he were a real captain and so in turn he also wanted
to behave like a captain and didn’t want her to be embarrassed by a thief at
the Christmas season. It was because of them that he could acquit himself of
the sin he had committed. It was as if he wanted to show them that he was
really transformed to the level of a captain.
11. What
made the peddler finally change his ways?
Ans: The
peddler was a lonely person without any wife or children and was never treated
well by the people so when he got love, sympathy and good treatment from Edla,
it transformed him altogether.
12. How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the
human predicament?
Ans: As per the metaphor of rattrap, the whole world with its lands and
seas, cities and villages is nothing but a big rattrap. This metaphor does
really highlight the human predicament because just like a bait offered to catch
a rat, we find temptations all around us and as soon as we are tempted to touch
the bait, everything comes to an end.
13. “….he had not said his last words”. Who
had not said his last word? Why did the Blacksmith think so?
Ans: The Iron Master had not said his last word.
The Blacksmith thought so because he knew the Iron Master well that he was man
of strong will so if he had decided to take the peddler home, he would do that
whether he wished or not.
14. “You do preach worse than a parson”. Who
said this and why?
Ans: The Iron Master said this to his daughter. He said so because
just like a parson who preaches and helps the parishioners, she was also
preaching her father and defending a total stranger at her own risk.
15. Why did the peddler not undeceive the
Iron Master all at once?
Ans: The peddler did not undeceive the Iron Master all at once because
he thought if the Iron Master thought him to be an old acquaintance, he might
throw a couple of kronors on him.
16. Did the peddler respect the confidence
reposed in him by the crofter?
Ans: The
peddler betrayed the trust that the crofter had on him by breaking the window
pane and removing the thirty kronors from the leather pouch. He had seen the
crofter keeping the money in the pouch and hanging it on a nail near the window
frame.
17. Why did Edla entertain the peddler even
after she knew the truth about him?
Ans: Edla
did not think it proper to chase away a human being whom they had invited to
their house and had promised him Christmas cheer. She understood the
reality of the peddler’s life and wanted him to enjoy a day with them. Hence
she still entertained the peddler even after knowing the truth about him.
LONG
ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
1. How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and
hospitality shown by the crofter, the ironmaster and his daughter?
Ans: The peddler was a lonely person without anybody whom he could
care or who would care for him. He led a miserable life without any proper and
stable means of living so when the crofter showed him the thirty kronor could
not contain his greed to possess them. As the world had never been kind to him,
he didn’t value the good behaviour shown by the crofter and robbed him of the
money. But at the Iron Master’s house the situation was different. Though his
fraud came out yet Edla kept her promise and allowed him to leave their house
as freely as he came, even going against her father’s wishes. Not only that,
she invited him for next Christmas also. This unexpected treatment from Edla
made him understand the importance of human relations and he mended the mistake
that he had committed.
2. The peddler comes out as a person with a subtle sense of
humour. How does this serve inlightening the seriousness of the theme of the
story and also endear him to us?
Ans: Right from the beginning of the story we find a grain of humour
in the story. The peddler’s idea of the world being a rattrap itself contains
humour. His joy at thinking ill of others; his not disclosing his identity; his
lecturing the Iron Master and his gift of rattrap to Edla, all contain humour.
Though the story underlines a serious message that love and sympathy can
transform any human being yet the seriousness of the message doesn’t make the
readers serious as the humour in the story lightens the atmosphere. Moreover,
the way he tackles the situation, the transformation that comes about his
personality and his miserable conditions compel us to love him.
3. The
reader’s sympathy is with the peddler right from the beginning of the story. Why is this so? Is the sympathy
justified?
Ans: Right
from the beginning the writer portrays the peddler as a poor, lonely, miserable
person who is barely able to keep his body and soul together though he works
hard and even begs. His physical condition is very poor. His cheeks are sunken,
clothes in rags and hunger gleams in his eyes. Anybody can understand that it
is quite natural for a person like him to be tempted by any bait as he was with
the crofter’s money. But it was only because of his unfavourable circumstances,
the human in him was alive. When he received proper treatment from Edla, the
bright side of his character showed itself out. This is the reason the reader
sympathizes with the peddler and it stands fully justified.
PREVIOUS YEARS’ QUESTIONS
(2017) The peddler thinks that the whole world
is a rattrap. This view of life is true only of himself and no one else in the
whold story. Comment. [6 Marks]
(2016) What do we learn about the crofter’s
nature from the story the rattrap? [3 Marks]
(2015) What brought about a change in the life
of the peddler? [3 Marks]
(2014) Why did Edla plead with
her father not to send the vagabond away? [2 Marks]
(2013) There is a saying,
‘Kindness pays, rudeness never’. In the story, ‘The Rattrap’ Edla’s attitude
towards men and matters is different from her father’s attitude. How are the
values of concern and compassion brought out in the story, ‘The Rattrap’? (100
words) [5 Marks]
(2012) Why did the peddler
decline the invitation of the iron master ? [2 Marks]
(2011) Why was the peddler
surprised when he knocked on the door of the cottage?
[2 Marks]
(2010) Why was Edla happy to see
the gift left by the peddler? [2 Marks]
(2009) Why did the peddler sign
himself as Captain von Stahle? [2 Marks]
(2008) Compare and contrast the
character of the ironmaster with that of his daughter?
[10 Marks]
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