ENGLISII DEPARTMENT
The peddler betrayed the trust that his host had placed in him
by stealing his money
without a tinge of remorse. He enjoyed his hospitality, shared his food and his
confidences but did not feel guilty while robbing him.
Q4 Why did the peddler have to keep to the woods after leaving the cottage? How does
he feel?
After stealing the crofter's money, the peddler was cautious and
kept off the highway
lest his theft gets detected. He went into the woods and lost his sense of direction.
He felt the forest was like a rattrap which had
no escape
ensnared him and from which there was
Long Answer Question
1. The story focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond with others. Comment.
The Rattrap is set in the late 19th Century, many farm families were displaced by the
growing industry and people were living in poverty. The tone of the story is factual,
sensftive to the emotional needs of human beings. The crofter, because of his
loneliness lets in the peddler. He is generous with his hospitaility .The ironmaster at
once bonded withthe peddlerwithiout confrming his identity. He is looking for company
during Christmas. Although Edla suspected that the beggar had stolen something or
else or he had escaped from jail, she offered full hearted generosity, comfortableliving
and a meaningful Christmas for the tramp. The ironmaster wanted to turn the peddler
Out but his daughter intervened saying that she wanted him to enjoy a day of peace.
Finally the peddler leaves with friendship in his heart. The kindness of Edla refoms him.
Human wamth and bonding enables this change. The essential goodness in a human
being can be awakened through love and understanding.
Q2What kind of hospitality did the peddler receive át the crofter's cottage? How did the
peddler respond?
The peddler went around selling self made rattraps of wire. His business was not good,
so he cten resorted to begging and petty thievery to make both ends meet. One dark
night, he knocked at the door of a small cottage. He was generously welcomed by the
old crofter, who gave him supper, tobacco for his pipe and played .cards with him. The
friendly crofter talked about his days of prosperity at Ramsjo's Ironworks. He also
showed him the thirty kronors that he had saved. Instead of showing gratitude for the
hospitality shown to him by the çrofter, the peddler cheated him. The next morning the
peddier returned, smashed the window pane, took the thirty kronors and felt pleased
with himself. However, when he was lost in the forest, he realized that he was caught in
a TRAP
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DEeii a Tal caugnt in the world's rattrap.
Q3 What light does the peddler's reaction to the of the crofter
hospiiality throw on the
peddler's character?
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