English Core

Class 12

THE RATTRAP – Selma Lagerlöf

RTC 1:“It was a big world, but nevertheless one which was always liable to be closed in
a trap.”

Q1. What metaphor is used in this line, and what does it symbolize?

A: The metaphor of a rattrap is used to symbolize how worldly temptations can ensnare
people like rats caught by bait.

Q2. Why does the peddler compare the world to a trap?

A: The peddler compares the world to a trap because he believes people are lured by
wealth and pleasures, only to be trapped in suffering, much like rats in traps.

Q3. What insight into the peddler’s worldview does this line give us?

A: It shows his cynical and negative view of life, shaped by his poverty and rejection by
society.

RTC 2: “She was not at all pretty, but she looked at him with such kindness that the man
was touched.”

Q1. Who is ‘she’ in this context, and who is ‘the man’?

A: ‘She’ is Edla Willmanson, the ironmaster’s daughter, and ‘the man’ is the rattrap
peddler.

Q2. What made the peddler feel touched despite her appearance?

A: He was moved by the kindness and respect she showed him, something he hadn’t
experienced in a long time.

Q3. How does this moment contribute to the peddler’s transformation?

A: Her compassion sparks self-reflection in him and sets him on a path toward
redemption.

RTC 3: “The world had never been kind to him, so it gave him unwonted joy to think ill of
it in this way.”

Q1. Why had the world not been kind to the peddler?

A: The world had not been kind to the peddler because he lived a lonely, poor life, often
treated with suspicion and cruelty.

Q2. What does the phrase ‘unwonted joy’ mean in this context?
A: It means an unusual or unexpected happiness he felt when imagining the world as a
giant rattrap.

Q3. How does this line explain the peddler’s cynical attitude toward the world?

A: His hardships led him to find satisfaction in believing that everyone eventually gets
trapped by life’s temptations.

RTC 4: “The rat trap is a Christmas present from a rat who would have been caught in
this world’s rattrap if he had not been raised to captain, because in that way he got
power to clear himself.”

Q1. Who is the 'rat' referred to in this statement?

A: The ‘rat’ is the peddler himself, referring to his past self before he was treated with
kindness.

Q2. What does this statement reveal about the peddler’s inner change?

A: It shows he has realized his mistakes and wants to start a new, honest life out of
gratitude.

Q3. What is the significance of the peddler addressing himself as ‘captain’?

A: It reflects the respect and dignity given to him by Edla, which helped him see himself
in a new, honourable light.

Short Answer Questions (30–40 words)

Q1. What idea did the peddler have about the world?

The peddler believed that the world was like a rattrap. It offered material temptations
like shelter, food, and riches, which lured people into trouble, just like a rat is lured by
cheese into a trap.

Q2. Why did the peddler steal the crofter’s money?

Although the crofter was kind and generous, the peddler was tempted by the thirty
kronor and stole it when the crofter went out. His poverty and belief in the world as a
rattrap influenced his actions.

Q3. How did the ironmaster mistake the peddler for someone else?

The ironmaster saw the peddler by the fire in his forge and mistook him for an old
regimental comrade due to his unshaven face and poor light. He invited him home,
thinking he was a former officer.

Q4. Why did the peddler feel welcome at the ironmaster’s house?
The peddler felt welcomed mainly due to Edla Willmansson’s kindness. Unlike others,
she treated him with respect and dignity, making him feel trusted and valued as a
human being.

Q5. What change do we see in the peddler at the end of the story?

By the end, the peddler realizes his mistake and is transformed by Edla’s kindness. He
returns the stolen money and leaves a rattrap as a gift, symbolizing his decision to lead
an honest life.

Long Answer Questions (120–150 words)

Q1. How does the story “The Rattrap” highlight the power of human kindness and
compassion to bring about change in a person?

The Rattrap is a touching story that shows how kindness and compassion can transform
even the most hardened individuals. The peddler, a poor man, leads a lonely life, selling
rattraps and often resorting to stealing. He sees the world as a trap full of temptations.
When he is invited into the home of the ironmaster by mistake, he plans to take
advantage of the situation. However, the ironmaster’s daughter, Edla, treats him with
genuine warmth and respect. Her trust and care deeply affect him. Instead of running
away with stolen goods, he leaves behind a rattrap as a Christmas gift and a note of
thanks, returning the stolen money. This act of transformation shows that even a thief
can become a good man if treated with understanding. The story conveys that goodness
in one person can awaken the goodness in another.

Q2. What role does Edla Willmansson play in the transformation of the peddler in
the story “The Rattrap”?

Edla Willmansson plays a central role in the moral transformation of the peddler in The
Rattrap. While her father initially invites the peddler to their house out of pride and
mistaken identity, Edla welcomes him out of genuine compassion. Even after
discovering that he is not the captain but a poor rattrap seller, she insists he stay and
enjoy Christmas like a guest. She treats him with kindness, trust, and dignity—qualities
the peddler had never experienced before. This treatment moves the peddler deeply.
Her warmth leads him to introspect and reject the path of dishonesty. By the end of the
story, he leaves a letter and a rattrap as a gift, returning the money he stole. This gesture
proves that Edla’s kindness helped him find the strength to change. She is the true hero
of the story, symbolizing hope and humanity.

Q3. Describe the theme of the story “The Rattrap.” How is the title symbolic?

The central theme of The Rattrap is that the world is like a trap filled with material
temptations that lead people into trouble. The protagonist, a poor peddler, uses this
philosophy to justify his petty thefts. However, the story also emphasizes that kindness
and compassion can awaken the inherent goodness in people and help them escape
this trap. The title is highly symbolic. It not only refers to the peddler’s trade but also to
his view of the world. He believes that just like rats are lured into traps by bait, people
fall into life’s traps of greed and desire. However, through Edla’s kindness, he escapes
this metaphorical rattrap and chooses redemption. Thus, the title encapsulates the
story’s core message about temptation, entrapment, and eventual moral awakening.