THINK AS YOU READ to talk to in his loneliness.

Secondly, he was
Q1. From where did the peddler get the idea quite generous with his confidence.
of the world being a rattrap?
Ans: The peddler had been thinking of his Q5. Why did he show the thirty kronor to
rattraps when suddenly he was struck by the peddler?
the idea that the whole world was nothing Ans: The crofter had told the peddler that by
but a big rattrap. It existed only to set baits supplying his cow’s milk to the creamery, he
for people. It offered riches and joys, shelter had received thirty kronor in payment. The
and food, heat and clothing in the same peddler seemed to doubt it. So, in order to
manner as the rattrap offered cheese and assure his guest of the truth he showed the
pork. As soon as someone let himself be thirty kronor to the peddler.
tempted to touch the bait, it closed in on
him, and then everything came to an end.
Q6. Did the peddler respect the confidence
reposed in him by the crofter?
Q2. Why was he amused by this idea? Ans: No, the peddler did not respect the
Ans: His own life was sad and monotonous. confidence reposed in him by the crofter. At
He walked laboriously from place to place. the very first opportunity that he got, he
The world had never been kind to him. So, smashed the window pane, took out the
during his gloomy ploddings, this idea money and hung the leather pouch back in
became his favourite pastime. He was its place. Then he went away.
amused how people let themselves be
caught in the dangerous snare and how
THINK AS YOU READ
others were still circling around the bait.
Q1. What made the peddler think that he
had indeed fallen into a rattrap?
Q3. Did the peddler expect the kind of Ans: The peddler realised that he must not
hospitality that he received from the walk on the public highway with the stolen
crofter? money in his pocket. He went into the
Ans: The crofter served him porridge for woods. He kept walking without coming to
supper and tobacco for his pipe. He also the end of the wood. Then he realised that
played a game of cards with him till he had fallen in the rattrap. He had let
bedtime. This hospitality was unexpected himself be fooled by a bait and had been
as people usually made sour faces when the caught in.
peddler asked for shelter.

Q2. Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to

Q4. Why was the crofter so talkative and the peddler and invite him home?
friendly with the peddler? Ans: The ironmaster walked closely up to
Ans: The crofter’s circumstances and the peddler. In the uncertain reflection from
temperament made him so talkative and the furnace, he mistook the man as his old
friendly with the peddler. Since he had no regimental comrade, Captain Von Stahle. He
wife or child, he was happy to get someone addressed the stranger as Nils Olof, spoke
very kindly and invited him home.
Q3. Why did the peddler decline the realised his mistake and threatened to call
invitation? the Sheriff.
Ans: The peddler knew that the ironmaster
had mistaken him for his old regimental Q4. How did the peddler defend himself
comrade. Secondly, he had stolen against not having revealed his true
money—thirty kronor—on him. Going to the identity?
ironmaster’s residence would be like Ans: The peddler explained that he had not
entering the lion’s den. So, he declined the tried to pretend as his acquaintance. He
invitation. was not at fault. All along he had
maintained that he was a poor trader. He
THINK AS YOU READ had pleaded and begged to be allowed to
Q1. What made the peddler accept Edla stay in the forge. No harm had been done by
Willmansson’s invitation? his stay. He was willing to put on his rags
Ans: Miss Edla Willmansson looked at the again and go away.
peddler quite compassionately. She noticed
that the man was afraid. She assured him Q5. Why did Edla still entertain the peddler
that he would be allowed to leave just as even after she knew the truth about him?
freely as he came. She requested him to Ans: Edla did not think it proper on their part
stay with them over Christmas Eve. Her to chase away a human being whom they
friendly manner made the peddler feel had asked to come to their house and had
confidence in her and accept her invitation. promised him Christmas cheer. She
understood the reality of the peddler’s life
Q2. What doubts did Edla have about the and wanted him to enjoy a day of peace
peddler? with them. Hence, she still entertained the
Ans: As Edla lifted the peddler’s hat, he peddler even after knowing the truth about
jumped up abruptly and seemed to be quite him.
frightened. Even her kind looks, disclosure
of her name and purpose of visit failed to THINK AS YOU READ
calm him. From his fear, she thought that Q1. Why was Edla happy to see the gift left
either he had stolen something or he had by the peddler?
escaped from jail. Ans: As soon as Edla opened the package
of the gift, the contents came into view. She
Q3. When did the ironmaster realise his found a small rattrap with three wrinkled ten
mistake? kronor notes and a letter addressed to her.
Ans: Next morning, the stranger was The peddler wanted to be nice in return as
cleaned and well-dressed. The valet had she had been so nice to him all day long. He
bathed him, cut his hair and shaved him. He did not want her to be embarrased at the
was led to the dining room for breakfast. Christmas season by a thief.
The ironmaster saw him in broad daylight. It
was impossible to mistake him for an old [Link] did the peddler sign himself as
acquaintance now. Then the ironmaster Captain von Stahle?
Ans: The ironmaster has invited the peddler treats him nicely even after knowing the
to his house mistaking him for Captain von mistake in identity.
Stahle. He was welcomed there and looked
after as captain even after the reality Q3. The story has many instances of
became known. The peddler got a chance to unexpected reactions from the characters
redeem himself from dishonest ways by to others’ behaviour. Pick out instances of
acting as an honourable Captain. these surprises.
Ans: The peddler is surprised at the warm
UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT welcome, generous supper, cheerful
Q1. How does the peddler interpret the acts company and intimate confidences by the
of kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter. The ironmaster addresses the
crofter, the iron master and his daughter? peddler as Captain von Stahle. He is
Ans: The peddler interprets the acts of surprised when the ironmaster calls him
kindness and hospitality shown by the “Nils Olof. The ironmaster assumes his
crofter, the iron master and his daughter declining the invitation is a result of
differently. He cheats the crofter as he embarrassment caused by his miserable
provides him company in his loneliness and clothing. The peddler’s comparison of the
helps him pass time. He wants to get a world to a rattrap makes the ironmaster
couple of kronors from the iron master and laugh and he drops the idea of calling in the
is surprised at the contrasting style of sheriff.
behaviour of father and daughter. He is The peddler looks at Edla in boundless
touched by the kindness, care and amazement when she tells him that the suit
intervention of Edla on his behalf. is a Christmas present. She also invites him
to spend next Christmas with them. She
Q2. What are the instances in the story that does all this even after knowing the mistake
show that the character of the ironmaster is about his [Link] crofter is robbed by
different from that of his daughter in many his guest, the rattrap peddler, in return for
ways? his hospitality.
Ans: The ironmaster is impulsive* whereas
his daughter is cool, logical, kind and Q4. What made the peddler finally change
thoughtful. In an uncertain light he his ways?
(ironmaster) mistakes the stranger as his Ans: Edla Willmansson treated the tramp in
old regiment comrade. He invites him home a friendly manner. She was nice and kind to
and takes care of his feeding, clothing etc. her. She interceded on his behalf when her
When he sees him in broad daylight he calls father was about to turn him out. She still
the man dishonest, demands an explanation entertained the peddler even after knowing
and is ready to call in the sheriff. His the truth about him. She offered him the suit
daughter is more observant. She notices the as a Christmas present and invited him to
fear of the stranger and thinks that either he spend the next Christmas with them. Her
is a thief or a runaway prisoner. Despite that love and understanding aroused the
she is gentle, kind and friendly to him. She essential goodness in the peddler and
finally he changed his ways.
Q5. How does the metaphor of the rattrap the peddler with the rattraps. He begs the
serve to highlight the human predicament? material like wire for his rattraps. His
Ans: The world entices a person through the business not being specially profitable, he
various good things of life such as riches resorts to begging and petty thievery to
and joy, shelter and food, heat and clothing. keep body and soul together.
These were just like the baits in the rattrap. His life is sad and monotonous. He plods
Once someone is tempted by the bait, the along the road lost in his own meditation.
world closes on [Link] peddler was The world has never been very kind to him
tempted by thirty kronor of the crofter. It and he feels happy in calling it a rattrap.
makes him hide himself. He walks through Whenever he asks for shelter for the night,
the woods. He is afraid to go to the Manor he meets sour faces. He is an unwelcome,
house. He gets peace only after returning unwanted and undesirable figure. The
the bait (money). blacksmiths at forge glance at him only
casually and indifferently. The master
Q6. The peddler comes out as a person blacksmith nods a haughty consent without
with a subtle sense of humour. How does honouring him with a single word.
this serve in lightening the seriousness of The old and lonely crofter finds him an
the theme of the story and also endear him enjoyable company. The ironmaster
to us? mistakes him for an old regimental
Ans: The peddler has a subtle sense of comrade. Only Edla Willmansson behaves
humour, which is revealed during his with him in a kind, friendly manner. Her nice
interactions with the ironmaster and his treatment arouses the tramp’s goodness.
daughter after the truth about him becomes He redeems himself Hy returning the stolen
known. He is neither afraid of being turned money and wins our admiration. Thus, we
out in cold rags nor of being sent to prison. see that the sympathy is not only well
He makes the ironmaster laugh with his earned but well justified too.
metaphor of the rattrap. His letter with the
Christmas present to Edla is a fine example Q2. The story also focuses on human
of his capacity to make others laugh at him. loneliness and the need to bond with
Thus, he lightens the seriousness of the others.
theme of the story and also endears himself Ans: There are at least three characters in
to us. the story who suffer from loneliness and
express the need to bond with others. They
TALKING ABOUT THE TEXT represent three strata of human society as
Q1. The reader’s sympathy is with the well. The peddler with the rattraps, the old
peddler right from the beginning of the crofter and the ironmaster all suffer from
story. Why is this so? Is the sympathy loneliness. The peddler is called a tramp, a
justified? vagabond and stranger at various points of
Ans: The peddler wins our sympathy for his the story. He moves wearily from one place
way of life and how the world treats him. It to the other. He is lost in his own thoughts.
is an admitted fact that the underdog He seeks shelter for the night and people
always runs away with sympathy, so does look at him with sour faces. Even the
blacksmiths look haughtily at him and nod realising his own mistake, he puts the blame
consent. The old crofter suffers from on the man. He talks of handing him over to
loneliness as he has neither wife nor child the sheriff. The metaphor of the world being
with him. Hence, he feels happy when he a rattrap saves the situation for the tramp,
gets the peddler to talk to in his loneliness. but the ironmaster wants to turn him out.
The ironmaster is also lonely in his manor His daughter’s comments are quite
house. His wife Elizabeth has died and his entertaining and philosophical. She wants
sons are abroad. There is no one at home the tramp to enjoy a day of peace. Secondly,
except his oldest daughter and himself. His she does not want to chase away a person
requests to Captain von Stehle to whom they had invited home and had
accompany him show his need for human promised Christmas cheer.
bonding. He admits frankly that they didn’t
have any company for Christmas. The
stranger turns down the request not
because he is against bonding with others
but because he fears being caught with
stolen money.

Q4. The story is both entertaining and

philosophical. Discuss.
Ans: The story entertains us by providing
glimpses into human nature and how people
react to various situations. The actions of
the peddler after stealing thirty kronor are
quite amusing. The reactions of the
blacksmiths to the tramp’s request for
shelter show how casual and indifferent
human beings can be.
The U-turn in the ironmaster’s attitude
towards the stranger reveals how selfish
and ignorant human beings can be.
Mistaking the vagabond for his old
regimental comrade, whom he thinks he has
run across unexpectedly, he asks the
stranger to accompany him home and
spend Christmas with them. When the
stranger refuses to go with him, the
ironmaster sends his daughter. With her
better persuasive power she makes him
follow her.
The ironmaster is annoyed on seeing the
stranger in broad daylight. But instead of