The Rattrap Summary, Solved Questions and Answers

CBSE 12
1. What is the theme of the story The Rattrap and how has it been
developed? OR, Kind words can change a devil into a saint. Justify on
the basis of the lesson.

The world around us is full of traps and dungeons waiting for our one slip. However no
matter how deep the trap is, the inherent goodness of human being can redeem himself
from the darkness of the trap. The story in discussion builds around a strong metaphor of
rattrap. The peddler of rattraps calls the world a big rattrap. The material benefits like
riches and joys, shelter and food, heat and clothing are temptations that provoke us to
mistakes. The peddler is tempted by thirty kronors of the old crofter. He steals the money
and now shivers in the fear of being caught and moves through a deep ,dark forest which
is an extension of a rattrap. He finds a shelter in the house of ironmaster in assistance
with another deception. However, all his inherent darkness is exorcised by the saint-like
presence of Edla, the daughter of ironmaster. Instead of judging him on his follies, the
lady can see through his inner goodness and her divine presence rouses the good heart of
the peddler. He is soon to realise his folly and wants to make quick amendment to this.
Thus the faith in humanity and infinite kindness change the person once and for all.
1. Notice these expressions in the text. Infer their meanings from the context.
keep body and soul together: to manage to keep alive; to survive
hunger gleamed in his eyes: feeling so hungry that the expression shows on ones face
plods along the road: moving along the road slowly but deliberately, to walk with a heavy feet
unwonted joy: unusual pleasure or happiness
impenetrable prison: impassable confinement
nodded a haughty consent: indifferent agreement
eased his way: moved himself slowly and carefully
fallen into a line of thought: agreement of thoughts
things have gone downhill: to decline or grow worse and worse
1. From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?
One day the peddler was thinking of his rattraps. Suddenly he was struck by an idea that the
whole world with its lands and seas, its cities and villages was nothing but a big rattrap. It
offered riches and joys, shelter and food as baits in the same manner as the rattrap offered cheese
and pork. As soon as someone touches the bait, he finds himself in the trap.
2. Why was he amused by this idea?

The peddler believed that the world with all its riches and joys, food and shelter appears as a
rattrap to tempt people. The world had never been kind to him. It gave him unwonted joy to think
ill of it. So he was amused to think about the people who were already caught in the trap and
others circling around the bait.
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 an old man without wife and children. He was living a monotonous and dull life
in solitude. He welcomed his guest very warmly. He offered him food and shelter. Naturally, he
was happy to get someone to talk to in his loneliness. So he was talkative and friendly with the
peddler.
5. Why did he show the thirty kroner to the peddler?
The crofter was very proud of his cow that gave him enough milk to support him. He told
peddler that he had got thirty kronor last month as payment by supplying the milk to creamery.
The peddler seemed doubtful about it. So, in order to assure his guest he showed thirty kronor to
the peddler.
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.
1. What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?
After stealing the crofters money, the peddler believed that it was not safe to walk on the public
highway. So he went into the woods. But it was a big and confusing forest. He walked and
walked but could not get out of it. The forest having its trunks, branches and thickets appeared to
him a big rattrap. Then he realized that he had fallen into the rattrap.
2. Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?
In the uncertain reflection from furnace, the ironmaster mistook the peddler as his old regimental
comrade, Captain Von Stahle. His condition was very miserable. So being an old acquaintance he
wanted to help him. He also wanted his company on Christmas Eve. So the ironmaster spoke
kindly to the peddler and invited him home.

3. Why did the peddler decline the invitation?

The peddler knew that the ironmaster had mistaken him as his old regiment comrade. The
invitation by the ironmaster did not please the peddler since the he had the stolen money in his
pocket. He thought that it would be like throwing himself voluntarily into the lions den. He was
feeling guilty and frightened. So he declined the invitation.
1. What made the peddler accept Edla Willmanssons invitation?
Edla Willmansson had better power of persuasion. She looked at the peddler quite
compassionately. She knew he was afraid. So she assured him that no harm would come to him
and he would be allowed to leave just as freely as he came. Her friendly manner made the
peddler feel confidence in her and accepted the invitation.
2. 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
behaviour also left her in doubts whether he was actually an educated man, as claimed by her
father.
3. When did the ironmaster realise his mistake?
The ironmaster realised 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
realised that he had been deceived in recognising the person because of the reflection of the
furnace, the previous night.
4. What did the peddler say in his defence when it was clear that he was not the person the
ironmaster had thought he was?
The ironmaster came to know the reality about the peddler the next morning. The peddler in his
defence explained that he never pretended to be what he was not. He showed himself as a poor
trader. He only desired to sleep in the forge for the night. He had declined the ironmasters
invitation again and again.
5. Why did Edla still entertain the peddler even after she knew the truth about him?
The peddlers true identity came to light the next morning. But Edla served the peddler not as her
fathers old comrade. Even after knowing the reality about the peddler she wanted him to stay
with them on Christmas Eve and enjoy a day of peace. In her view it was not proper to chase
away a person whom they had invited on Christmas.
1. Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?
When Edla opened the package of gift left by the peddler she felt very happy. She found a small
rattrap with three wrinkled ten kronor notes and a letter addressed to her. He had left the 30

kronors for its rightful owner. He was not a thief but his circumstances made him so. She was
happy to note that after all he had changed.
2. Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von Stahle?
The peddler was a vagabond. When he was invited by the ironmaster, he behaved like a real
captain. In this role, he raised himself above the petty temptation. Kindness and hospitality
shown by Edla had transformed him completely. He wanted to behave nicely with them.So he
signed himself as Captain Von Sthale.
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 realised that for the crofter it was his
craving for company that led him to offer his hospitality. The ironmasters 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 Edlas 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?
The ironmaster misunderstood the peddler for an old acquaintance,whereas his daughter could
make out that the man was afraid, which was suggestive of himhaving stolen something. Though
the father and the daughter express compassion for the vagabond both do so for different
reasons .The ironmaster was sure to help the vagabond get over his tramp manners because he
had mistaken the latter for his old comrade. The daughter however wishes to feed him and
welcome him inspite of knowing that he was not Captain Von Stahle. The father acts impulsively
and casually and invites him without confirming the strangers identity. On realizing his mistake
he recklessly wants to hand him over to the sheriff. Only when he is threatened to be ensnared by
the rattrap of this world that he thinks otherwise. Edla on the other hand shows a strong sense of
observation. She rightly judges him to be a tramp without any education. She persuades her
father to let him stay because they had promised him Christmas cheer. When the blacksmiths
daughter infects the protagonist with her true altruism the peddlers inner soul experiences a
rapid transformation form an ugly duckling to a dazzling swan.
3. The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to others behaviour.
Pick out instances of these surprises.
The first instance is that of the crofters hospitality to the peddler. The rattrap peddler, used to
being shooed away, was surprised at the friendly behaviour of the crofter. The peddlar was also
surprised at the sudden invitation given by the ironmaster, who was himself shocked to realise
his mistake in recognising the peddler, the next day. Another unexpected reaction, for both the
peddler and the ironmaster, is Edlas intervention to seek peddlers 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 girls hospitality and respect for him.
4. What made the peddler finally change his ways?
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 snit as Christmas present
and invited him to spend the next Christmas with them. Her love and understanding aroused the
essential goodness of the peddler and he changed his ways.
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
realising 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 humour. How does this serve in
lightening the seriousness of the theme of the story and also endear him to us.
The peddler doesnt come across as a humorous person, although one can locate a subtle sense of
humour 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.
Talking about the Text
Discuss the following in groups of four. Each group can deal with one topic. Present the
views of your group to the whole class.
1. The readers sympathy is with the peddler right from the beginning of the story. Why is this
so? Is the sympathy justified?
From the beginning, the rattrap seller is shown as a victim of his situation and not a downright
evil character. The peddler had to resort to beggary and stealing because his business is not
profitable enough to make both ends meet. His condition of penury does not allow him to be
fully righteous. Moreover, we find that he lacks friends and guide to steer him in the right path.
The sympathy is justified because in the end we find out that the peddler is capable of
appreciating genuine goodness and hospitality. When he is treated with respect and kindness, he
reciprocates the same in the best way he can.
2. The story also focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond with others.

The Rattrap deals with the issues of human loneliness and the need to bond with others. Not only
the peddler but also other characters like the crofter, the ironmaster and Edla emphasise this fact.
The peddlers conscience had left him because he had been lonely in his predicament, for a long
time. But Edlas kindness and hospitality changed him. The crofter, on the other hand, is a lonely
fellow whose craving for company leads him to give shelter to a vagabond, and he ends up
getting robbed. Even, the ironmaster and his daughter suffer from loneliness. They crave
company on Christmas Eve and are excited when they get the opportunity to serve a guest.
4. The story is both entertaining and philosophical.
The story is told in the form of a fairy tale with a happy ending. The narrative is interesting with
many surprises and attention-grabbing dialogues. The twists and the unexpected reactions of the
characters often astonish the reader making the story entertaining.
However, the author has carefully managed to weave philosophical elements into the storyline.
The rattrap peddlers comparison of the whole world with a giant rattrap makes this an
interesting commentary on how such people end up getting trapped in the giant chasm. The story
also makes an observation on the inherent goodness of people. It also showcases how goodness
and kindness shown by some people can change others perspective.
1. The man selling rattraps is referred to by many terms such as peddler, stranger etc. Pick out
all such references to him. What does each of these labels indicate of the context or the attitude
of the people around him?
Labels
1

Peddler

Vagabond

Stranger

Guest

Intruder

Contexts
As he peddles or sells the rattraps
Used to describe his nomadic lifestyle
Used to refer to the peddler when he was at the crofters place, possibly to
emphasise the fact that the crofter was compassionate to an unknown man
He is treated with compassion, especially at the ironmasters house where he
was invited to spend the Christmas
When the peddler trespasses and enters the iron mill
When the peddler asks for lodgings at the iron mill; also when the ironmaster,

Tramp

mistaking him for his old regimental comrade plans of helping him drop his
tramp ways and begin a new vocation

Ragamuffin

When the ironmaster first notices him wrapped in rags and in the state to utter
destitution

Old regimental comrade

Poor hungry wretch

10

Rat

The ironmaster mistakes him for his old friend when he first meets the peddler
at his iron mill
Used only once when the author mentions the fact that Edla was excited about
the prospect of getting a chance to help an unfortunate fellow on Christmas
The peddler calls himself a rat and thanks Edla for helping him escape the
rattrap with her kindness and compassion

2. You came across the words, plod, trudge, stagger in the story. These words indicate movement
accompanied by weariness. Find five other such words with a similar meaning.
Answer
Other words are lurch, stumble, slog, hike, clump, traipse and stomp.
Page No: 44
1. He made them himself at odd moments.
2. He raised himself.
3. He had let himself be fooled by a bait and had been caught.
4. a day may come when you yourself may want to get a big piece of pork.
Notice the way in which these reflexive pronouns have been used (pronoun + self)
In 1 and 4 the reflexive pronouns himself and yourself are used to convey emphasis.
In 2 and 3 the reflexive pronoun is used in place of personal pronoun to signal that it refers to the
same subject in the sentence.
Pick out other examples of the use of reflexive pronouns from the story and notice how they are
used.
Answer
Examples

Usage

would be like throwing himself

used in place of personal pronoun to signal that it refers to

voluntarily into the lions den

the same subject in the sentence

...except my oldest daughter andmyself

used in place of personal pronoun to signal that it refers to

the same subject in the sentence

...he laughed to himself.

used in place of personal pronoun to signal that it refers to

the same subject in the sentence

...better powers of persuasion than

used to convey emphasis

he himself
stretched himself out on the floor

used in place of personal pronoun to signal that it refers to

the same subject in the sentence

He could not bring himself to oppose her.

used to convey emphasis