The Rattrap – Selma Lagerlof

1. From where did the peddler get the ideas of the world being a rattrap?
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 he amused by this idea?

The peddler was amused by the idea of the world being a giant rattrap because he was
never treated kindly by the world. Therefore, he harbored hard feelings for it 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?

No, the peddler did not expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter.
This was because usually he was greeted by 'sour' and unfriendly faces whenever he knocked
on doors and requested for shelter.

4. Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?

The crofter was a lonely fellow who lived on his own in a little gray cottage by the
roadside. He had no wife or children, and craved company and friends. So, one day when the
peddler turned up at his doorstep, he was happy to find someone to talk to, 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?

The crofter was a naive and trusting man who craved company more than anything
else. He wanted to share his joy of earning the money with someone. He got his chance when
the peddler came along. Moreover, he thought that the peddler did not believe him, so he
showed the peddler the thirty kronor bills that he kept in a leather pouch.

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

No, the peddler did not respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter. In fact,
he betrayed his trust by robbing the thirty kronors from him. However, later in the story, his
conscience was awakened by his stay with the Willmanssons and he decided to return the
money.

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

After stealing the money, the peddler tried to escape through the forest but soon got
lost. Left in despair, he recollected his own thoughts on the world being a giant rattrap. A
sudden realization came to him that he had finally got himself caught in the rattrap because
he 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, on realizing the truth about the peddler, threatened to get him
arrested. The rattrap seller expressed himself strongly realizing 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?

The ironmaster of the Ramsji Ironworks spoke kindly to the peddler because he had
mistaken him for an old regimental comrade, Captain von Stahle. 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 some company on the
Christmas Eve, he invited the peddler to his home.

9. Why did the peddler decline the invitation?

The peddler was alarmed at the idea of spending the night at the manor of the
ironmaster, of the Ramsji Ironworks, who was an ex-army man. He had not made an attempt
to correct the ironmaster when he was mistaken for an old acquaintance. Moreover, he was
anxious 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?

By his frightened look, Edla guessed that the peddler had either stolen something or
has escaped prison. So she hinted an assurance that he would be free to leave whenever he
wanted. Reassured, he accepted the invitation.

11. What doubts did Edla have about the peddler?

When Edla went to the iron mill to fetch the peddler, she noticed that he was
frightened. She had doubts that the peddler had stolen something or had escaped prison. His
appearance and behavior also left her in doubts whether he was actually an educated man, as
claimed by her father.

12. When did the ironmaster realize his mistake?

The ironmaster realized his mistake the next day when the peddler turned up at
breakfast. The valet had bathed the peddler, cut his hair, shaved him and given him clothes.
The ironmaster realized that he had been deceived in recognizing the person because of the
reflection of the furnace, the previous night.

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

To defend himself, the peddler argued that he had never said that he was a captain or
the old comrade of the ironmaster. In fact, he had repeatedly declined the invitation to spend
the Christmas at the manor.

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

Edla had a kind and sympathetic heart that was pained by the plight of the poor
peddler. She requested her father to allow him to spend one day with them in peace as a
respite from the struggle he had to endure round the year. Her principles did not allow her to
throw this man out of her house on the Christmas Eve especially when they had already
promised him a “Christmas cheer”. Moreover, she had been in high spirits that morning
thinking of the ways in which she could help the tramp. Therefore, even after knowing the
truth, Edla wanted to entertain the peddler.

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

Edla showed great trust in him by letting him stay at their manor on the Christmas
Eve. But the news about the robbery 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?

Throughout his life, the peddler had never known respect. He was always treated
coldly by the world. For the first time in his life, he was honoured and respected as if he were
a captain. Even after the truth was exposed, the daughter continued to treat him in a similar
way. The way he was treated encouraged him to behave in a like manner. He signed the letter
as Captain von Stahle so as to underline the impact of Edla's goodness on him.

Book-Back Questions and Answers – Understanding the Text

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

The different ways in which the peddler repaid the three people corresponds to the
way he interpreted the kindness of the three people. The peddler realized that for the crofter it
was his craving for company that led him to offer his hospitality. The ironmaster's hospitality
apparently is limited to his acquaintances. It was only the daughter who genuinely offered
warmth and goodness to the peddler. He was touched by Edla's kindness and it made him
want to act differently. He repaid her good treatment 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?

Edla and her father had different natures. She had more convincing power than the
father and was able to persuade the peddler to accept the invitation. We also find that the
ironmaster's hospitability was limited to his old comrade. But, the daughter was pained by the
plight of the peddler and continued to treat him well even after the truth about his identity
was revealed. Again, after finding about the robbery of the crofter's money, 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 daughter's behavior was more mature and controlled.

3. The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to others'
behavior. Pick out instances of these surprises.

The first instance is that of the crofter's hospitality to the peddler. The rattrap peddler,
used to being shooed away, was surprised at the friendly behaviour of the crofter. The
peddler was also surprised at the sudden invitation given by the ironmaster, who was himself
shocked to realize his mistake in recognizing the peddler, the next day. Another unexpected
reaction, for both the peddler and the ironmaster, is Edla's intervention to seek peddler's
presence for Christmas. However, the most unexpected reaction is from the peddler when he
leaves the package and the letter for Edla, showing gratitude to the girl's hospitality and
respect for him.

4. What made the peddler finally change his ways?

The experience of the peddler at the manor of the Willmanssons made the peddler
change his ways. Earlier he had never known a true sympathizer or well-wisher. He had no
friend to steer him on the right path. Though the crofter was hospitable to him and even the
ironmaster had almost offered him help, they 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 the rattrap serve to highlight the human predicament?

The metaphor of the rattrap signifies that the world exists only to trap people by
setting baits for them. Whenever someone is tempted by the luxuries, he ends up being
caught in a dangerous trap. The author, thus, makes a much deeper comment on the woeful
plight of those in pursuit of the worldly pleasures, which often lead them to unfortunate
situations. The story helps in realizing the importance of general goodness and kindness. The
peddler is saved from the snare of the huge rattrap called world only when he appreciates the
kindness to him by Edla.

6. The peddler comes out as a person with a subtle sense of humor. How does this serve in
lightening the seriousness of the theme of the story and also endear him to us?

The peddler doesn't come across as a humorous person, although one can locate a
subtle sense of humor in the way he thinks about the world as being a giant rattrap. He is
singularly pleased by this thought of his because it provides him with the opportunity of
thinking 'ill' of the world that is not kind to him. It is clearly visible that whenever he gets
caught unaware, in the web of deceit spun by his scheming mind, he hides behind the thought
that the world is a rattrap and he merely a prey. Thus, he lightens the mood and theme of the
story and makes us endear him.