THE

RATTRAP
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to thank my English teacher, Mrs.
Shikha mam, for helping and guiding me in
completing this project on title The Rattrap. Their
support made it easier for me to understand the
chapter better. I am also thankful to my parents
and friends for encouraging me and helping me
throughout the project. Lastly, I would like to
thank NCERT and other study materials that gave
me the right information to complete my work.
CERTIFICATE
I hereby certify that this PowerPoint
presentation on the chapter “The
Rattrap”
has been prepared by Noor, of Class 12th
Arts ‘A’ , as part of the English Core
subject for the academic session 2025–26.
This project has been completed under
the valuable guidance of my English
teacher, Mrs. Shikha Mam. The content
presented here is original and based on
the NCERT textbook.
INTRODUCTION
The story highlights human loneliness, kindness,
and the power of redemption. It tells the
journey of a poor rattrap seller whose life
changes after experiencing unexpected
generosity. It teaches us that a small act of
kindness can bring a big change in someone’s
life. The title is symbolic, showing how the
world can trap people with greed and
temptation just like a rattrap.
Through the main character, the author shows
that everyone has a chance to improve and
choose the right path. The story also reflects on
human values like trust, respect, and forgiveness.
This PPT includes a summary, theme, character
sketch, message, conclusion, and more to help
understand the story in a better way.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Selma Lagerlöf (1858–1940)
Selma Lagerlöf was a famous Swedish author and the
first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in
1909. She is best known for her storytelling style filled
with compassion, imagination, and moral values. She
was born in Sweden and had a deep love for her
country’s culture and folk tales, which inspired man of
her stories. Her writing often focuses on human
kindness, faith, and the belief in change and goodness.
The Rattrap is one such story that reflects her deep
understanding of human emotions and transformation.
Even today, Selma Lagerlöf’s stories continue to inspire
readers all over the world.
SUMMARY
The Rattrap is a heart-touching story written by Selma Lagerlöf. It is
about a poor man who sells rattraps and leads a lonely, miserable life. He
believes that the world is just like a rattrap — it offers people wealth and
pleasures as bait, only to trap them later. One day, he is kindly welcomed
by an old crofter who gives him food and shelter. But the peddler,
tempted by money, steals the crofter’s thirty kronor and runs away.
While escaping through the forest, he loses his way and ends up at the
ironworks of a wealthy man. The ironmaster mistakes him for an old
friend and invites him home. When the truth is discovered, the
ironmaster wants him to leave, but his daughter Edla still treats him
with kindness and dignity. Her gentle and respectful behavior deeply
touches the peddler. He realizes that the world is not just a trap full of
cruelty, but also a place where goodness exists. He decides to change his
ways and return the stolen money. On Christmas morning, he leaves
behind a small gift — a rattrap with the money inside — and a letter
thanking Edla for helping him become a better person. The story gives a
strong message that kindness and compassion have the power to bring
about change in even the most hopeless person, and that everyone
deserves a second chance in life.
THEME AND MESSAGE
The main theme of The Rattrap is that the world is
like a rattrap. It attracts people with things like
money, food, and shelter, but later traps them in greed
and problems. The story also shows the problems of
loneliness, poverty, and how kind behavior can
change a person’s life.
The main message of the story is that kindness, love,
and respect can bring a big change in anyone. When
Edla treats the peddler with care, he feels valued and
decides to become a better person. The story teaches
us that everyone deserves a second chance and that
goodness exists in every human being.
LITERARY DEVICES
•Metaphor: The title “The Rattrap” itself is a metaphor. It compares the
world to a rattrap that traps people with temptations like money and
comfort.
•Irony: It is ironic that the man who steals and believes in traps is later
saved by kindness and honesty. Also, the ironmaster thinks the peddler
is an old friend, which is not true.
•Symbolism: The rattrap symbolizes the temptations of the world. The
stolen money is also a symbol of greed and how it traps people.
•Alliteration: Repetition of consonant sounds like: “safe shelter”, “pride
and pleasure”.
•Imagery: The author uses descriptive language to help readers
imagine the forest, the cottage, and the ironmaster’s house.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The Rattrap is a powerful and emotional story that gives a
deep insight into human nature and society. The author shows
how poverty, loneliness, and temptation can lead a person to
do wrong things. The peddler starts as a dishonest man who
steals money, but the story shows that he is not evil by heart —
he is just lost and in need of kindness. The most important
part of the story is the transformation of the peddler. This
change happens only because someone treated him with
respect and compassion. Edla’s kind behavior proves that
goodness exists in the world, and it has the power to reform
people. The story also criticizes how society quickly judges
people based on their appearance and status. It teaches us to
look beyond someone’s outer behavior and try to understand
their inner struggles. The ending leaves a strong impact,
showing that love and understanding can bring out the best in
even the most hopeless person.
 REFLECTION
The Rattrap highlights the idea that everyone deserves a second
chance in life. The story shows how kindness and respect can
transform even the most hopeless person. It presents the harsh
reality of poverty, loneliness, and the moral traps people fall into
when tempted by material things. The peddler’s change of heart
reflects the power of human compassion. It also shows that true
generosity lies in treating others with dignity, regardless of their
background. The story encourages the values of trust, forgiveness,
and understanding in a world that often lacks them. Through
simple narration and strong emotions, the story leaves a deep
message about human goodness and the need for empathy in
society.
CONCLUSION
The Rattrap is a meaningful story that conveys a strong
message about the power of kindness, compassion, and
second chances. It shows that even those who are lost or
have done wrong can change when treated with respect
and understanding. The story reminds readers that the
world is full of temptations, like a rattrap, but true
happiness comes from honesty, love, and moral values. It
encourages society to look beyond mistakes and believe
in the goodness present in every individual. The simple
storyline and emotional depth make this chapter
memorable and inspiring, leaving behind a lesson that
kindness can truly change lives.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
• NCERT English Textbook – Flamingo (Class
12)
Chapter 4: The Rattrap by Selma Lagerlöf
• CBSE Curriculum Guidelines (2024–25)
• Class Notes and Teacher Explanations
• Online Educational Resources(Used for
reference and understanding the chapter)