SHRI RAM GLOBAL SCHOOL, WHITEFIELD

CHAPTER: THE RAT TRAP

GRADE: 12
CHAPTER AT A GLANCE
The Rattrap summary is about a man who is a peddler. He has a pessimistic attitude
towards the world. The peddler has not always been like this and was a fine man before.
However, due to misfortune, he now resorts to selling rattraps, begging and even stealing
to survive. Moreover, he also views the world as a big rat trap. He believes that much
similar to the cheese we put for mice; the world offers us materialistic things to lure us. So,
when we fall for these things, it traps us and takes everything away from us. In this story, a
young generous woman takes in the rattrap seller. Thus, the generosity and kindness she
shows changes his pessimistic take on life. This story teaches us about the essential human
goodness we all must possess.

The story begins with a rattrap peddler who is in a rugged condition. He is dressed in rags
and is very frail and looks starved. We learn he has no home and sometimes even begs and
steals to survive in the world. He leads a lonely life with no one to care about him. One
fine day, it strikes to him that this whole world is a rattrap itself. If we touch it, it will trap
us and never let us go. He goes on to think that there are people out there who are already
in this rattrap and reaching for the bait. On one cold evening, he reaches at a cottage to ask
for shelter. An old crofter lived in that cottage who took in the peddler.
The crofter needed company so he welcomes the peddler. He gives him hot food and even
tobacco to smoke. They play cards and start talking. The peddler learns that the crofter got
thirty kronor for selling his cow which he keeps in a pouch on the window frame. The
peddler leaves the next day but after seeing the crofter leave his cottage, he comes back to
steal the pouch of money.

After stealing it, he takes the woods to remain unsuspected. In the wood, the peddler meets
an ironmaster who mistakes him to be his old comrade. He invites him over for Christmas
but he refuses. After that, the ironmaster’s daughter, Edla visits him and insists him to stay
with them. In between, he feels sorry for stealing the crofter’s money. They help the
peddler get a makeover and dress him in nice clothes and shave his beard off. After this,
the ironmaster realizes he has made a mistake; the peddler was not his comrade.
Thus, the ironmaster thinks he is a fraud and decides to turn him in. However, Edla insists
on letting him stay and celebrate Christmas with them. Her father agrees, and they
celebrate Christmas together. Next day, the ironmaster and Edla learn that the peddler was
a thief through the church about the incident at the old crofter’s. They head home in a
hurry thinking he must have stolen all the silver. However, to their surprise, the peddler
did not steal a thing. He left a note for Edla in the form a tiny rattrap. There was also a note
thanking her for her kindness which saved him from the rattrap he got caught in. Most
importantly, he also left the crofter’s money asking to return it to him.

Conclusion of The Rattrap

To sum up, The Rattrap summary, we learn that we can change the world through kindness
and compassion; in addition, it teaches us that materialistic things never bring inner joy,
only love and respect does.

NCERT SOLUTIONS

Q1. From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?
Ans: The peddler had been thinking of his rattraps when suddenly he was struck by the
idea that the whole world was nothing but a big rattrap. It existed only to set baits for
people. It offered riches and joys, shelter and food, heat and clothing in the same manner
as the rattrap offered cheese and pork. As soon as someone let himself be tempted to touch
the bait, it closed in on him, and then everything came to an end.

Q2. Why was he amused by this idea?

Ans: His own life was sad and monotonous. He walked laboriously from place to place.
The world had never been kind to him. So, during his gloomy plodding, this idea became
his favourite pastime. He was amused how people let themselves be caught in the
dangerous snare and how others were still circling around the bait.

Q3. Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter?
Ans: The crofter served him porridge for supper and tobacco for his pipe. He also played a
game of cards with him till bed time. This hospitality was unexpected as people usually
made sour faces when the peddler asked for shelter.
Q4. Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?
Ans: The crofter’s circumstances and temperament made him so talkative and friendly
with the peddler. Since he had no wife or child, he was happy to get someone to talk to in
his loneliness. Secondly, he was quite generous with his confidences.

Q5. Why did he show the thirty kronor to the peddler?

Ans: The crofter had told the peddler that by supplying his cow’s milk to the creamery, he
had received thirty kronor in payment. The peddler seemed to doubt it. So, in order to
assure his guest of the truth he showed the thirty kronor to the peddler.

Q6. 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. At the
very first opportunity that he got, he smashed the window pane, took out the money and
hung the leather pouch back in its place. Then he went away.

Q7. What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?
Ans: The peddler realised that he must not walk on the public highway with the stolen
money in his pocket. He went into the woods. He kept walking without coming to the end
of the wood. Then he realised that he had fallen in the rattrap. He had let himself be fooled
by a bait and had been caught in.

Q8. Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?
Ans: The ironmaster walked closely up to the peddler. In the uncertain reflection from the
furnace, he mistook the man as his old regimental comrade, Captain Von Stahle. He
addressed the stranger as Nils Olof, spoke very kindly and invited him home.

Q9. Why did the peddler decline the invitation?

Ans: The peddler knew that the ironmaster had mistaken him for his old regimental
comrade. Secondly, he had stolen money—thirty kronor—on him. Going to the
ironmaster’s residence would be like entering the lion’s den. So, he declined the invitation.

Q10. What made the peddler accept Edla Willmanson’s invitation?

Ans: Miss Edla Willmanson looked at the peddler quite compassionately. She noticed that
the man was afraid. She assured him that he would be allowed to leave just as freely as he
came. She requested him to stay with them over Christmas Eve. Her friendly manner made
the peddler feel confidence in her and accept her invitation.

Q11. What doubts did Edla have about the peddler?

Ans: As Edla lifted the peddler’s hat, he jumped up abruptly and seemed to be quite
frightened. Even her kind looks, disclosure of her name and purpose of visit failed to calm
him. From his fear, she thought that either he had stolen something or he had escaped from
jail.

Q12. When did the ironmaster realise his mistake?

Ans: Next morning, the stranger was cleaned and well-dressed. The valet had bathed him,
cut his hair and shaved him. He was led to the dining room for breakfast. The ironmaster
saw him in broad daylight. It was impossible to mistake him for an old acquaintance now.
Then the ironmaster realised his mistake and threatened to call the Sheriff.

Q13. How did the peddler defend himself against not having revealed his true
identity?
Ans: The peddler explained that he had not tried to pretend as his acquaintance. He was
not at fault. All along he had maintained that he was a poor trader. He had pleaded and
begged to be allowed to stay in the forge. No harm had been done by his stay. He was
willing to put on his rags again and go away.

Q14. Why did Edla still entertain the peddler even after she knew the truth about
him?
Ans: Edla did not think it proper on their part to chase away a human being whom they
had asked to come 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 of peace with them. Hence,
she still entertained the peddler even after knowing the truth about him.

Q15. Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?
Ans: As soon as Edla opened the package of the gift, the contents came into view. She
found a small rattrap with three wrinkled ten kronor notes and a letter addressed to her.
The peddler wanted to be nice in return as she had been so nice to him all day long. He did
not want her to be embarrassed at the Christmas season by a thief.
Q16.Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von Stahle?
Ans: The ironmaster has invited the peddler to his house mistaking him for Captain von
Stahle. He was welcomed there and looked after as captain even after the reality became
known. The peddler got a chance to redeem himself from dishonest ways by acting as an
honourable Captain.

EXTRA QUESTIONS (IMPORTANT)

Q1. How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the
crofter, the iron master and his daughter?
Ans: The peddler interprets the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter, the
iron master and his daughter differently. He cheats the crofter as he provides him company
in his loneliness and helps him pass time. He wants to get a couple of kronors from the
iron master and is surprised at the contrasting style of behaviour of father and daughter. He
is touched by the kindness, care and intervention of Edla on his behalf.

Q2. 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: The ironmaster is impulsive* whereas his daughter is cool, logical, kind and
thoughtful. In uncertain light he (iron master) mistakes the stranger as his old regiment
comrade. He invites him home and takes care of his feeding, clothing etc. When he sees
him in broad day light he calls the man dishonest, demands an explanation and is ready to
call in the sheriff. His daughter is more observant. She notices the fear of the stranger and
thinks that either he is a thief or a runaway prisoner. Inspite of that She is gentle, kind
and friendly to him. She treats him nicely even after knowing the mistake in identity.

Q3. The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to
others’ behaviour. Pick out instances of these surprises.
Ans: The peddler is surprised at the warm welcome, generous supper, cheerful company
and intimate confidences by the crofter. The ironmaster addresses the peddler as Captain
von Stahle. He is surprised when the ironmaster calls him “Nils Olof. The ironmaster
assumes his declining the invitation a result of embarrassment caused by his miserable
clothing. The peddler’s comparison of the world to a rattrap makes the ironmaster laugh
and he drops the idea of calling in the sheriff.
The peddler looks at Edla in boundless amazement when she tells him that the suit is a
Christmas present. She also invites him to spend next Christmas with them. She does all
this even after knowing the mistake about his identity. The crofter is robbed by his guest,
the rattrap peddler, in return of his hospitality.

Q4. What made the peddler finally change his ways?

Ans: Edla Willmansson treated the tramp in a friendly manner. She was nice and kind to
her. She interceded on his behalf when her father was about to turn him out. She still
entertained the peddler even after knowing the truth about him. She offered him the suit as
Christmas present and invited him to spend the next Christmas with them. Her love and
understanding aroused the essential goodness in the peddler and finally he changed his
ways.

Q5. How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human
predicament?
Ans: The world entices a person through the various good things of life such as riches and
joy, shelter and food, heat and clothing. These were just like the baits in the rattrap. Once
someone is tempted by the bait, the world closed on him. The peddler was tempted by
thirty kronor of the crofter. It makes him hide himself. He walks through the wood. He is
afraid to go to the Manor house. He gets peace only after returning the bait (money).

Q6. The peddler comes out as a person with a subtle sense of humour. How7 does this
serve in lightening the seriousness of the theme of the story and also endear him to
us?
Ans: The peddler has a subtle sense of humour, which is revealed during his interactions
with the ironmaster and his daughter after the truth about him becomes known. He is
neither afraid of being turned out in cold in rags nor of being sent to prison. He makes the
ironmaster laugh with his metaphor of the rattrap. His letter with the Christmas present to
Edla is a fine example of his capacity to make others laugh at him. Thus, he lightens the
seriousness of the theme of the story and also endears himself to us.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

Q1 A. The reader’s sympathy is with the peddler right from the beginning of the
story. Why is this so? Is the sympathy justified?
Ans: The peddler wins our sympathy for his way of life and how the world treats him. It is
an admitted fact that the underdog always runs away with sympathy, so does the peddler
with the rattraps. He begs the material like wire for his rattraps. His business not being
especially profitable, he resorts to begging and petty thievery to keep body and soul
together.
His life is sad and monotonous. He plods along the road lost in his own meditation. The
world has never been very kind to him and he feels happy in calling it a rattrap. Whenever,
he asks shelter for the night, he meets sour faces. He is an unwelcome, unwanted and
undesirable figure. The blacksmiths at forge glance at him only casually and indifferently.
The master blacksmith nods a haughty consent without honouring him with a single word.
The old and lonely crofter finds him an enjoyable company. The ironmaster mistakes him
for an old regimental comrade. Only Edla Willmansson behaves with him in a kind,
friendly manner. Her nice treatment arouses the tramp’s goodness. He redeems himself Hy
returning the stolen money and wins our admiration. Thus, we see that the sympathy is not
only well earned but well justified too.

B. The story also focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond with others.
Ans: There are at least three characters in the story who suffer from loneliness and express
the need to bond with others. They represent three strata of the human society as well. The
peddler with the rattraps, the old crofter and the ironmaster all suffer from loneliness. The
peddler is called a tramp, a vagabond and stranger at various points of the story. He moves
wearily from one place to the other. He is lost in his own thoughts. He seeks shelter for
night and people look at him with sour faces. Even the blacksmiths look haughtily at him
and nod consent. The old crofter suffers from loneliness as he has neither wife nor child
with him. Hence, he feels happy when he gets the peddler to talk to in his loneliness.
The ironmaster is also lonely in his manor house. His wife Elizabeth has died and his sons
are abroad. There is no one at home except his oldest daughter and himself. His requests to
Captain von Stehle to accompany him show his need for human 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.

C. 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 reveal 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 realising
his own mistake, he puts the blame on the man. He talks of handing him over to the sheriff.
The metaphor of the world being a rattrap saves the situation for the tramp, but the
ironmaster wants to turn him out. His daughter’s comments are quite entertaining and
philosophical. She wants the tramp to enjoy a day of peace. Secondly, she does not want
to chase away a person whom they had invited home and had promised Christmas cheer.

EXAM POINT OF VIEW QUESTIONS (TO BE PRACTISED)

1. Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von Stahle?

2. Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?
3. What made the peddler finally change his ways?
4. Describe how the story, ‘The Rattrap’ shows that basic human goodness can be
brought out by understanding and love.
5. How did the seller of rattraps realize that he himself was caught up in a rattrap after
he left the crofter’s cottage?