RATTRAP

Important Notes:
“The Rattrap” brings up the idea that the latent spark of human kindness is inherent in each
one of us and it can be stirred back through love, support, trust and understanding. No one
is infallible and succumb to temptation, so one should think twice before judging,
condemning and criticizing the sinner.
THEME: -
The theme of the story is that most human beings are prone to fall into the trap of material
benefit. However, every human being has an essential goodness that can be awakened through
understanding and love. A human being has the tendency to redeem himself from dishonest
ways.
Human Kindness “The Rattrap” is a short, almost fairy-tale story that centers around the
transforming power of human kindness. An unnamed peddler of rattraps goes from seeing the
world as “one big rattrap” and engaging in robbery to returning his stolen money and
proclaiming himself free—all as a result of experiencing true kindness and generosity from
Edla Williamson on Christmas Eve. By showing the peddler’s potential for positive change,
Swedish writer Selma Lagerlof expresses a belief that there is a core of goodness in all people,
and that this goodness can be unlocked through compassion and kindness
Trust vs. Cynicism As “The Rattrap” begins, the homeless peddler is defined by his “rattrap”
philosophy of life: that the world is nothing but a big rattrap that offers “bait” in the form of
luxuries and pleasures, and then ensnares and ruins anyone who reaches for this bait. This is a
fundamentally cynical worldview, and one that the story ultimately undercuts by showing its
limitations and offering an alternate philosophy. Though life can be harsh and cruel at times,
Selma Lagerlöf suggests that being wholly cynical only leads one to isolation, immorality, and
unhappiness. Instead, the story advocates for a more trusting worldview, one that takes human
kindness into account and can build community between people
Loneliness and Companionship Connected to the themes of kindness and trust, “The Rattrap”
also explores the basic human need for companionship and community, and shows the negative
effects of loneliness, whether as a result of poverty, cynicism, or unkindness. At the start of the
story, the peddler leads an incredibly lonely existence, and this affects him in extremely
negative ways, causing him unhappiness and bitterness, and driving him to steal from and lie to
others. Through the peddler’s transformative interactions with the old man, the ironmaster, and
Edla Williamson, however, the story shows the importance of human companionship, and
suggests that a society should bring people together rather than isolating them or turning them
against each other.
Justification of the Title:
The title of the story “The Rattrap” is metaphorically placed here as it somewhere highlights
human predicament. Just as a rat is fooled by the bait and gets trapped in the cage, most human
beings also get trapped by the materialistic pleasures of the world. The story also revolves
around the man who gets trapped in one such similar way. Hence, the tile is apt.
Main Points:
1) The Rattrap is a story that underlines the belief that essential goodness in human beings can
be aroused through sympathy, understanding and love.
2) Once a man went around selling small rattraps but he took to begging and thievery to keep
his body and soul together. 3) One day he was struck with the idea – the whole world is a big
rattrap and it offers riches as bait.
4) People let themselves be tempted to touch the bait then it closes in on them bringing an end
to everything.
5) One dark evening the rattrap peddler sought shelter in an old crofter’s roadside cottage.
6) The old man gave him food, tobacco they enjoyed the card game too.
7) Next morning the peddler stole away his thirty kroners.
8) The rattrap peddler escaped into a big confusing forest and got lost.
9) While resting on the ground he recollected his idea that the world is a rattrap and thought his
end was near.
10) Hearing a thumping sound, he reached Ramsjo ironworks for a night shelter.
11) The owner came on his nightly rounds and noticed the ragged wretch near the furnace.
12) He took him as an old acquaintance ‗Nils Olof.’
13) He invited him to stay with their friends for Christmas but the stranger declined the offer.
14) His daughter Edla Willmanson persuaded to go home with him.
15) She requested him to stay for Christmas Eve only.
16) On his way to the Manor House the peddler thought that he had thrown himself into the
lion‘s den.
17) The next day in broad day light the iron master realized the stranger was not captain and
threatened to call the sheriff.
18) Edla pleaded for him and asked him to stay back.
20) Christmas Eve at Ramsjo was as usual and the stranger slept and slept.
19) She made him understand that if he wanted rest and peace, he would be welcome next
Christmas also. This had a miraculous effect on him.
20) Next morning, they went for early church service leaving behind the guest who was asleep.
21) They learnt at church that a rattrap peddler had robbed an old crofter.
22) Edla becomes very upset.
23) They reach home immediately and learn that the peddler had already left but had not taken
anything at all with him. Instead, he had left a small packet for the young girl as a Christmas
present.
24) She opens the packet and finds a rattrap, three wrinkled ten-Krona notes and also a letter
with a request to return the Kroners to the crofter.

Practice Questions:
1. The story ‘The Rattrap’ focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond with others.
Explain.
OR
Describe how the story, ‘The Rattrap’ shows that basic human goodness can be brought
out by understanding and love.
2. The Rattrap’ highlights the impact of compassion and understanding on the hidden
goodness in human beings. Substantiate with evidence from the story.
3. There is a saying, ‘Kindness pays, rudeness never’. In the story, ‘The Rattrap’ Edla’s
attitude towards men and matters is different from her father’s attitude. How are the
values of concern and compassion brought out in the story, ‘The Rattrap’?
4. The people we meet in life leave an impression on us. How is the rattrap peddler
affected by meeting the crofter and Edla?
5. The story, ‘The Rattrap’ is both entertaining and philosophical. Do you agree with this
statement? Elucidate your answer with reference to the story.
6. Every human being is endowed with some positive characteristic or beauty of heart, and
that comes out automatically when the time comes. Similarly, both the tramp and the
daughter exchange the beauty of their hearts at the right time. How? Justify with
reference to the story.
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