The Rattrap

Q1. From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?
Ans: The peddler had been thinking of his rattraps when suddenly he was struck by the idea
that the whole world was nothing but a big rattrap. It existed only to set baits for people. It
offered riches and joys, shelter and food, heat and clothing in the same manner as the rattrap
offered cheese and pork. As soon as someone let himself be tempted to touch the bait, it
closed in on him, and then everything came to an end.
Q2. Why was he amused by this idea?
Ans: His own life was sad and monotonous. He walked laboriously from place to place. The
world had never been kind to him. So, during his gloomy ploddings, this idea became his
favourite pastime. He was amused how people let themselves be caught in the dangerous
snare and how others were still circling around the bait.
Q3. Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter?
Ans: The crofter served him porridge for supper and tobacco for his pipe. He also played a
game of cards with him till bed time. This hospitality was unexpected as people usually made
sour faces when the peddler asked for shelter.
Q4. Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?
Ans: The crofter’s circumstances and temperament made him so talkative and friendly with
the peddler. Since he had no wife or child, he was happy to get someone to talk to in his
loneliness. Secondly, he was quite generous with his confidences.
Q5. Why did he show the thirty kronor to the peddler?
Ans: The crofter had told the peddler that by supplying his cow’s milk to the creamery, he
had received thirty kronor in payment. The peddler seemed to doubt it. So, in order to assure
his guest of the truth he showed the thirty kronor to the peddler.
Q6. Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?
Ans: No, the peddler did not respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter. At the very
first opportunity that he got, he smashed the window pane, took out the money and hung the
leather pouch back in its place. Then he went away.

Q1. What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?
Ans: The peddler realised that he must not walk on the public highway with the stolen money
in his pocket. He went into the woods. He kept walking without coming to the end of the
wood. Then he realised that he had fallen in the rattrap. He had let himself befooled by a bait
and had been caught in.
Q2. Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?
Ans: The ironmaster walked closely up to the peddler. In the uncertain reflection from the
furnace, he mistook the man as his old regimental comrade, Captain Von Stahle. He
addressed the stranger as Nils Olof, spoke very kindly and invited him home.
Q3. Why did the peddler decline the invitation?
Ans: The peddler knew that the ironmaster had mistaken him for his old regimental comrade.
Secondly, he had stolen money—thirty kronor—on him. Going to the ironmaster’s residence
would be like entering the lion’s den. So, he declined the invitation.

THINK AS YOU READ

Q1. What made the peddler accept Edla Willmansson’s invitation?
Ans: Miss Edla Willmansson looked at the peddler quite compassionately. She noticed that
the man was afraid. She assured him that he would be allowed to leave just as freely as he
came. She requested him to stay with them over Christmas Eve. Her friendly manner made
the peddler feel confidence in her and accept her invitation.
Q2. What doubts did Edla have about the peddler?
Ans: As Edla lifted the peddler’s hat, he jumped up abruptly and seemed to be quite
frightened. Even her kind looks, disclosure of her name and purpose of visit failed to calm
him. From his fear, she thought that either he had stolen something or he had escaped from
jail.
Q3. When did the ironmaster realise his mistake?
Ans: Next morning, the stranger was cleaned and well-dressed. The valet had bathed him, cut
his hair and shaved him. He was led to the dining room for breakfast. The ironmaster saw
him in broad daylight. It was impossible to mistake him for an old acquaintance now. Then
the ironmaster realised his mistake and threatened to call the Sheriff.
Q4. How did the peddler defend himself against not having revealed his true identity?
Ans: The peddler explained that he had not tried to pretend as his acquaintance. He was not
at fault. All along he had maintained that he was a poor trader. He had pleaded and begged to
be allowed to stay in the forge. No harm had been done by his stay. He was willing to put on
his rags again and go away.
Q5. Why did Edla still entertain the peddler even after she knew the truth about him?
Ans: Edla did not think it proper on their part to chase away a human being whom they had
asked to come to their house and had promised him Christmas cheer. She understood the
reality of the peddler’s life and wanted him to enjoy a day of peace with them. Hence, she
still entertained the peddler even after knowing the truth about him.

THINK AS YOU READ

Q1. Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?
Ans: As soon as Edla opened the package of the gift, the contents came into view. She found
a small rattrap with three wrinkled ten kronor notes and a letter addressed to her. The peddler
wanted to be nice in return as she had been so nice to him all day long. He did not want her to
be embarrased at the Christmas season by a thief.
Q2.Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von Stahle?
Ans: The ironmaster has invited the peddler to his house mistaking him for Captain von
Stahle. He was welcomed there and looked after as captain even after the reality became
known. The peddler got a chance to redeem himself from dishonest ways by acting as an
honourable Captain.

UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT

Q1. How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the
crofter, the iron master and his daughter?
Ans: The peddler interprets the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter, the iron
master and his daughter differently. He cheats the crofter as he provides him company in his
loneliness and helps him pass time. He wants to get a couple of kronors from the iron master
and is surprised at the contrasting style of behaviour of father and daughter. He is touched by
the kindness, care and intervention of Edla on his behalf.
Q2. 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?
Ans: The ironmaster is impulsive* whereas his daughter is cool, logical, kind and thoughtful.
In uncertain light he (iron master) mistakes the stranger as his old regiment comrade. He
invites him home and takes care of his feeding, clothing etc. When he sees him in broad day
light he calls the man dishonest, demands an explanation and is ready to call in the sheriff.
His daughter is more observant. She notices the fear of the stranger and thinks that either he
is a thief or a run away prisoner. Inspite of that She is gentle, kind and friendly to him. She
treats him nicely even after knowing the mistake in identity.
Q3. The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to
others’ behaviour. Pick out instances of these surprises.
Ans: The peddler is surprised at the warm welcome, generous supper, cheerful company and
intimate confidences by the crofter. The ironmaster addresses the peddler as Captain von
Stahle. He is surprised when the ironmaster calls him “Nils Olof. The ironmaster assumes his
declining the invitation a result of embarrassment caused by his miserable clothing. The
peddler’s comparison of the world to a rattrap makes the ironmaster laugh and he drops the
idea of calling in the sheriff.
The peddler looks at Edla in boundless amazement when she tells him that the suit is a
Christmas present. She also invites him to spend next Christmas with them. She does all this
even after knowing the mistake about his identity.The crofter is robbed by his guest, the
rattrap peddler, in return of his hospitality.
Q4. What made the peddler finally change his ways?
Ans: 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 suit as Christmas
present and invited him to spend the next Christmas with them. Her love and understanding
aroused the essential goodness in the peddler and finally he changed his ways.
Q5. How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human predicament?
Ans: The world entices a person through the various good things of life such as riches and
joy, shelter and food, heat and clothing. These were just like the baits in the rattrap. Once
someone is tempted by the bait, the world closed on him.The peddler was tempted by thirty
kronor of the crofter. It makes him hide himself. He walks through the wood. He is afraid to
go to the Manor house. He gets peace only after returning the bait (money).
Q6. The peddler comes out as a person with a subtle sense of humour. How7 does this
serve in lightening the seriousness of the theme of the story and also endear him to us?
Ans: The peddler has a subtle sense of humour, which is revealed during his interactions with
the ironmaster and his daughter after the truth about him becomes known. He is neither afraid
of being turned out in cold in rags nor of being sent to prison. He makes the ironmaster laugh
with his metaphor of the rattrap. His letter with the Christmas present to Edla is a fine
example of his capacity to make others laugh at him. Thus, he lightens the seriousness of the
theme of the story and also endears himself to us.

TALKING ABOUT THE TEXT

Discuss the following in groups of four. Each group can deal with one topic and present
the views of your group to the whole class.
Q1. The reader’s sympathy is with the peddler right from the beginning of the story.
Why is this so? Is the sympathy justified?
Ans: The peddler wins our sympathy for his way of life and how the world treats him. It is an
admitted fact that the underdog always runs away with sympathy, so does the peddler with
the rattraps. He begs the material like wire for his rattraps. His business not being specially
profitable, he resorts to begging and petty thievery to keep body and soul together.
His life is sad and monotonous. He plods along the road lost in his own meditation. The
world has never been very kind to him and he feels happy in calling it a rattrap. Whenever, he
asks shelter for the night, he meets sour faces. He is an unwelcome, unwanted and
undesirable figure. The blacksmiths at forge glance at him only casually and indifferently.
The master blacksmith nods a haughty consent without honouring him with a single word.
The old and lonely crofter finds him an enjoyable company. The ironmaster mistakes him for
an old regimental comrade. Only Edla Willmansson behaves with him in a kind, friendly
manner. Her nice treatment arouses the tramp’s goodness. He redeems himself Hy returning
the stolen money and wins our admiration. Thus, we see that the sympathy is not only well
earned but well justified too.
Q2. The story also focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond with others.
Ans: There are at least three characters in the story who suffer from loneliness and express
the need to bond with others. They represent three strata of the human society as well. The
peddler with the rattraps, the old crofter and the ironmaster all suffer from loneliness. The
peddler is called a tramp, a vagabond and stranger at various points of the story. He moves
wearily from one place to the other. He is lost in his own thoughts. He seeks shelter for night
and people look at him with sour faces. Even the blacksmiths look haughtily at him and nod
consent. The old crofter suffers from loneliness as he has neither wife nor child with him.
Hence, he feels happy when he gets the peddler to talk to in his loneliness.
The ironmaster is also lonely in his manor house. His wife Elizabeth has died and his sons are
abroad. There is no one at home except his oldest daughter and himself. His requests to
Captain von Stehle to accompany him show his need for human bonding. He admits frankly
that they didn’t have any company for Christmas. The stranger turns down the request not
because he is against bonding with others but because he fears being caught with stolen
money.
Q3. Have you known/heard of an episode where a good deed or an act of kindness has
changed a person’s view of the world?
Ans: Yes, I know how the kindness of a Bishop transformed a hard-hearted beastly convict
into a man again with faith in God and human values. The story is presented in the form of a
famous play ‘The Bishop’s Candlesticks’
The Bishop provides food and shelter at midnight to a runaway convict who threatens him
with a knife. Long years of imprisonment and harsh treatment in the prisonship has
transformed the man into beast and he is devoid of all human feelings now. The convict runs
away with the Bishop’s silver candlesticks, but is caught by the police.
In order to save the convict from further punishment and torture, the Bishop tells the police
officer that the fellow is his friend and he had himself given him the candlesticks. This kind
act of the Bishop melts the hard heart of the convict. He sobs and weeps. He promises to be a
man again.
Q4. The story is both entertaining and philosophical. Discuss.
Ans: The story entertains us by providing glimpses into human nature and how people react
to various situations. The actions of the peddler after stealing thirty kronor are quite amusing.
The reactions of the blacksmiths to the tramp’s request for shelter show how casual and
indifferent human beings can be.
The U-turn in the ironmaster’s attitude towards the stranger reveal how selfish and ignorant
human beings can be. Mistaking the vagabond for his old regimental comrade, whom he
thinks he has run across unexpectedly, he asks the stranger to accompany him home and
spend Christmas with them. When the stranger refuses to go with him, the ironmaster sends
his daughter. With her better persuasive power she makes him follow her.
The ironmaster is annoyed on seeing the stranger in broad daylight. But instead of realising
his own mistake, he puts the blame on the man. He talks of handing him over to the sheriff.
The metaphor of the world being a rattrap saves the situation for the tramp, but the ironmaster
wants to turn him out. His daughter’s comments are quite entertaining and philosophical. She
wants the tramp to enjoy a day of peace. Secondly, she does not want to chase away a person
whom they had invited home and had promised Christmas cheer.

WORKING WITH WORDS

Q1. 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.
Ans: Initially, the man who went around selling small rattraps of wire is called a Vagabond’
for he plodded along the road, left to his own meditations. He is referred to as “stranger” by
the narrator while describing his meeting with the old crofter. When he leaves the next day he
is described as “the man with rattraps.’ When he returns half an hour later to steal money he
is called ‘the rattrap peddler.’
For the blacksmiths at the forge he is an intruder. The narrator now refers to him as a ‘tramp’.
For the rich ironmaster he is a “ragamuffin’. Since he had never seen the ironmaster or
known his name, the man with rattraps is called a ‘stranger’. He is described as ‘stranger*
while he stretches himself out on the floor when the ironmaster leaves. The label sticks to
him during his stay at the manor house as a guest. These descriptions also suggest the degree
of social difference ^between the persons and the peddler of rattraps and their attitude
towards him.
Q2. 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.
Ans: Five other words with a similar meaning are: clomp, lumber, lurch, reel, stumble.
NOTICING FORM
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.
Ans. 1.He had not come there to talk but only to warm himself and sleep.
2.To go up to the manor house would be like throwing himself voluntarily into the lion’s den.
3…….there is no one at home except my oldest daughter and myself.
4.But he laughed to himself as he went away …
5……apparently hoping that she would have better powers of persuasion than he himself.
6. The stranger had stretched himself out on the floor…
7. It would never have occurred to me that you would bother with me yourself, miss.
8…… if he had not been raised to captain, because in that way he got power to clear himself.
In sentences 3, 5 and 7 the reflexive pronouns ‘myself, “himself and ‘yourself are used to
convey emphasis.
In sentences 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8, the reflexive pronoun is used in place of personal pronoun to
signal that it refers to the same subject in the sentence.

THINKING ABOUT LANGUAGE

Q1. Notice the words in bold in the following sentence:
“The fire boy shovelled charcoal in the maw of the furnace with a great deal of clatter.”
This is a phrase that is used in the specific context of an iron plant.
Pick out other such phrases and words from the story that are peculiar lo the
terminology of ironworks.
Ans: Words and phrases that are peculiar to the terminology of ironworks are given below:
hammer strokes, smelter, forge, rolling mill, coal dust, furnace, pig iron, anvil, iron bar, big
bellow, coal, charcoal, shovel and sooty panes.
Q2. “Mjolis” is a card game of Sweden.
Name a few indoor games played in your region. “Chopar” could be an example.
Ans: ‘Rang-kaaf and ‘Turap Bol’ are popular indoor card games in our region.
‘Chukkhal’ is a poor man’s substitute for Chopar.
‘Goti-paar’ is popular among young girls in rural areas.
Q3. A “Crofter” is a person who rents or owns a small farm especially in Scotland.
Think of other uncommon terms for “a small farmer” including those in your language.
Ans: The uncommon terms for “a small farmer” are:
tiller, plowman/ploughman, husbandman, rancher, tenant farmer and small holder.
In our language there are words like haali’, ‘bataai-jotta’, ‘jotta’ etc.

MORE QUESTIONS SOLVED

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
Q1. How did the peddler of rattraps manage in survive?
Ans:He made rattraps of wire and went around selling them. He got material for making
them
by begging in the big stores or at big farms. Since his business was not quite profitable, he
would beg or steal in order to survive.
Q2. How did the peddler look? Was he different from people of his type?
Ans: He was a man with a long beard, dirty, ragged, and with a bunch of rattraps dangling on
his chest. His clothes were in rags, his cheeks were sunken, and hunger gleamed in his eyes.
No, he looked like the way people of his type usually did.
Q3. What idea. did he get about the world? What were its implications?
Ans: He got the idea that the whole world was only a big trap. It sets baits for people exactly
as the rattrap offered cheese and pork. It offered riches and joys, shelter and food, heat and
clothing as baits. It closed on the person who let himself be tempted to touch the bait. Then
everything came to an end.
Q4. Why did the peddler think of the world as a rattrap? What became his cherished
pastime?
Ans: The world had never been kind to the peddler. So, he got unusual joy to think ill of the
world. His pastime was to think of people he knew who had let themselves be caught in the
dangerous snare of the world, and of others who were still circling around the bait.
Q5. What hospitality did the peddler with rattraps receive from the old crofter?
Ans: The old crofter served the peddler hot porridge for supper and gave him tabacco for his
pipe. He entertained his guest by playing cards with him. He also informed him about his
prosperous past life and how his cow supported him in his old age now.
Q6. ‘The old man was just as generous with his confidences as with his porridge and
tobacco’. What personal information did he impart to his guest ?
Ans: The old man told his guest that in his days of prosperity he had been a crofter at Ramsjo
Ironworks. Then he worked on the land. Now he was unable to do physical labour. His cow
supported him now. He supplied her milk to the creamery everyday. Last month he had
received thirty kronor in payment.
Q7. Where had the old man put his money? Why did he hold it up before the eyes of his
guest and what did he do later on?
Ans: The man had put his money in a leather pouch which hung on a nail in the window
frame. He picked out three wrinMed ten-kronor bills for his guest to see as he has seemed
sceptical. Then he stuffed them back into the pouch.
Q8.‘ The next day both men got up in good, season.’ Why? Who are the men and what
did they do after getting up?
Ans: The two men are the old crofter and his guest-the peddler with, the rattraps. The crofter
was in a hurry to milk his cow. His guest did not want to stay in bed when the host had risen.
They left the cottage at the same time. The crofter locked the door and put the key in his
pocket. The peddler bade him goodbye and thanked him. Then each went his own way.
Q9. Why did rattrap peddler return and how did he rob the old crofter?
Ans: The rattrap peddler was tempted by the thirty kronors he had seen in the leather pouch
of the old crofter. He returned half an hour later, smashed a window pane, stuck in his hand
and got hold of the pouch. He took out the money and thrust it into his own pocket. Thus, he
robbed the old crofter.
Q10. How did the peddler feel after robbing the crofter? Why did he discontinue
walking on the public highway?
Ans:At first he felt quite pleased with his smartness. Then he realised the danger of being
caught by the police with the stolen money with him. He decided to discontinue walking on
the public highway and turn off the road, into the woods.
Q11. Why did Edla plead with her father not to send the vagabond away? [All India
2014]
Ans: Edla was kind and sympathetic. She was much pained by the plight of the peddler. Edla
requested her father to spend a day with them in peace as a respite from the struggle.
Q12. How did the peddler feel while walking through the wood? What did he realise?
Ans: During the first hours the woods caused him no difficulty. Later in the day, it became
worse as it was a big and confusing forest. The paths twisted back and forth. He kept on
walking but did not come to the end of the wood. He realised that he had been walking
around in the same part of the forest.
Q13. What do you learn about the Ramsjo Ironworks from ‘The Rattrap’?
Ans: The Ramsjo Ironworks used to be a large plant, with smelter, rolling mill and forge. In
the summer time long fines of heavily loaded barges and scows slid down the canal. In the
winter time, the roads near the mill were black from charcoal dust.
Q14. Why did the blacksmith fail to notice the entry of the peddler in the forge?
Ans: The forge was full of many sounds. The big bellows groaned and the burning coal
cracked. The fire boy shovelled charcoal into the maw of the fumance with a great deal of
clatter. A water fall roared outside. Sharp north wind made the rain strike the brick-tiled roof.
Due to all this noise the blacksmith failed to notice the peddlar’s entry.
Q15. ‘The blacksmiths glanced only casually and indifferently at the intruder’, What
prompted them to do so?
Ans: Usually poor vegabonds, without any better shelter for the night, felt attracted to the
forge by the glow of fight which escaped through the sooty panes. They came in to warm
themselves in front of the fire. The intruder looked like other people of his type usually did.
Q16. What did the tramp ask? Was his request granted? What did he do then?
Ans: The tramp asked permission to stay. The blacksmiths hardly deigned to look at him.
The master blacksmith nodded a haughty consent without uttering a word. The tramp too did
not say anything. He had come there only to warm himself and sleep. So, he eased his way
close to the furnace. ‘
Q17. Who was the owner of the Ramsjo Iron Mill? Why did he come to the forge that
night?
Ans: The owner of that mill was a very prominent ironmaster. His greatest ambition was to
ship out good iron to the market. He insisted on quality and kept a watch on the work both
night and day. He came to the forge on one of his nightly rounds of inspection.
Q18. What did the ironmaster notice in the forge? How did he react then?
Ans: The ironmaster noticed a person in dirty rags lying quite close to the furnace. Steam
rose from his wet rags. The ironmaster went near him and looked at him very carefully. Then
he removed his slouch hat to get a better view of his face. He thought that he was an old
acquaintance of his and said : “But of course it is you, Nils Olof!”
Q19. Why did the man with the rattraps not want to undeceive the ironmaster all at
once?
Ans: The peddler thought that if the fine gentleman thought he was an old acquaintance, he
might perhaps throw him a couple of kronor. So he did not want to undeceive him all at once.
Q20. What observation did the ironmaster make about the stranger? What did he ask
him to do?
Ans: The ironmaster saw the stranger in the uncertain fight of the fumance and mistook him
for his old regimental comrade. He said that it was a mistake on his part to have resigned
from the regiment. If he had been in service at that time, it would never have happened. He
asked the stranger to go home with him.
Q21. What did the peddler think about going up to the manor house? How did he react
to the ironmaster’s invitation?
Ans: The peddler looked quite alarmed. He still had the stolen thirty kronor on him. Going up
to the manor house would be like throwing himself voluntarily into the lion’s den. He did not
feel pleased to go there and be received by the owner like an old regimental comrade. So he
declined the invitation.
Q22. What did the ironmaster assume to be the reason behind his old comrade s
refusal? Hoiw did he try to reassure him?
Ans: The ironmaster assumed that his old regimental comrade felt embarrassed because of
his miserable clothing. He said that his house was not so fine that he couldn’t show himself
there. He lived there only with his daughter as his wife Elizabeth was dead and his sons were
abroad.
Q23. What reason did the ironmaster advance in support of his invitation to the
stranger?
Ans: He said that they didn’t have any company for Christmas. He thought it was quite bad.
He requested the stranger to come along with him and help them make the Christmas food
disappear a little faster.
Q24. ‘The ironmaster saw that he must give in.’ What made him give in? What did he
say? What did the blacksmith think about the ironmaster?
Ans: The stranger declined the ironmaster’s invitation thrice. The ironmaster then told
Stjemstrom, the blacksmith that Captain von Stahle preferred to stay with him that night. He
laughed to himself as he went away. The blacksmith, who knew the ironmaster, understood
very well that he had not said his last word.
Q25. Who was the new guest at the forge ? Why had that person come there and how
did he I she look’? Who accompanied her and why?
Ans: The new guest was the ironmaster’s daughter. She drove in there in a carriage along
with a valet who carried on his arm a big fur coat. She had been sent there by her father
hoping that she had better powers of persuasion that he himself. She was not at all pretty, but
seemed modest and quite Shy.
Q26. Describe the scene at the forge when Edla Willmansson came there.
Ans: The master blacksmith and his apprentice sat on a bench. Iron and charcoal glowed in
the furnace. The stranger had stretched himself out on the floor. He lay with a piece of pig
iron under his head and his hat pulled down over his eyes.
Q27. What did the young girl notice about the stranger? What did she conclude? How
did she make him feel confidence in her?
Ans: The stranger jumped up abruptly and seemed to be quite frightened. She looked at him
sympathetically, but the man still looked afraid. She concluded that either he had stolen
something or else he had escaped from jail. She spoke to him in a very friendly manner to
make him feel confidence in her.
Q28. What did the peddler of rat traps think while he was riding up to the manor
house?
Ans: Whfie he was riding up to the manor house he had evil forebodings. He questioned
himself why he had taken that fellow’s money. He thought that he was sitting in the trap and
would never get out of it.
Q29. Why did the peddler derive pleasure from his idea of the world as a rattrap?
[Delhi 2014]
Ans: The peddler was very happy with the idea of the world as a rattrap because he was
never given kindly treatment by the world. He had quite different feeling for it and loved to
think ill of it by comparing it to a rattrap.
Q30. How did the ironmaster try to convince his daughter about the stranger’?
Ans: He asked his daughter to have some patience. She would see something different as
soon as the stranger got clean and dressed up. Last night he was naturally embarrassed. He
asserted that tramp manners would fall away from him with tramp clothes.
Q31. What impression did the well-groomed guest make? How did the ironmaster react
and why?
Ans: He looked truly clean and well dressed. The ironmaster did not seem pleased. He
looked at him with contracted brow. It was because he had made a mistake in identifying the
person in uncertain light at night. He demanded an explanation from the man.
Q32. What did the ironmaster threaten to do after knowing the mistake? How did the
stranger save himself?
Ans: The ironmaster threatened to call in the sheriff. The stranger told him that the Sheriff
might lock him up for dissembling. He reminded the ironmaster that a day might come when
he might get tempted, and then he would be caught in the big rattrap of the world. The
metaphor amused the ironmaster. He dropped the idea of sending for the sheriff, but asked
the stranger to leave at once.
Q33. ‘The daughter stood there quite embarrassed and hardly knew what to answer.’
What embarrassed her? Why did she intercede for the vagabond?
Ans: The daughter had drawn plans to make things homelike and typical of Christmas, for
the poor hungry wretch. She could not get away from this idea at once. She felt embarrassed
when her father asked the man to get out. She interceded for the vagabond to persuade her
father to let him stay for Christmas.
Q34. What arguments did the young girl give in favour of the stranger’s stay there?
Ans: She said that the whole year long, the stranger walked around. He was probably not
welcome or made to feel at home even at a single place. He was chased away wherever he
turned. He was always afraid of being arrested and cross-examined. She wanted him to enjoy
a day of peace with them-just one in the whole year.
Q35. “He only stared at the young girl in boundless amazement.” What made the man
with the rattraps react in this manner?
Ans: The young girl told him after the Christmas dinner that the suit he wore was to be a
Christmas present from her father. He did not have to return it. If he wanted to spend next
Christmas Eve peacefully, without any evil befalling him, he would be welcomed back again.
This amazed him.
Q36. “The young girl sat and hung her head even more dejectedly than usual.” What
two reasons forced her to behave in this manner?
Ans: First, she had learned at church that one of the old crofters of the ironworks had been
robbed by a man who went around selling rattraps. Second, her father taunted her and held
her responsible for letting that “fine fellow” into the house.
Q37. Sum up the contents of the letter addressed to Miss Willmansson.
Ans: The stranger did not want her to be embarrassed at the Christmas season with a thief. As
she had been nice to him as if he were a captain, he would be nice to her as if he were a real
captain. She asked her to return the money to the old crofter. The rattrap was a present from a
rat who would have been caught in the world’s rattrap if he had not been raised to captain. It
was as captain that he got power to clear himself.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Q1. What is the theme of the story ‘The Rattrap’ ? How has this theme been developed?
Ans: 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.
The theme is developed with the help of the metaphor of the 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 that allure a person to fall into the rattrap of the world
exactly as the bait of cheese and pork attract a rat to fall into the rattrap. Once someone takes
the bait, the world closes in on him and then everything is lost.
The peddler is tempted by the thirty kronors of the old crofter. He steals the money. Now he
is afraid of being caught and moves through the woods. It is the kind, sympathetic, loving and
generous treatment given by Edla Willmansson that helps him get himself free from the
rattrap of the world.
Q2. Give an account of the peddler’s meeting with the old crofter. How does the peddler
conduct himself? What light does this episode throw on human nature?
Ans: One dark evening the peddler reached a little gray cottage by the roadside. He knocked
on the door to ask shelter for the night. The owner, an old man without wife or child,
welcomed him. He was happy to get someone to talk to in his loneliness. He served him hot
porridge for supper and gave him tobacco for his pipe. Then he played cards with him till bed
time.
The host told the peddler that in his days of prosperity, he worked on land at Ramsjo
Ironworks. Now his cow supported him. He sold her milk at the creamery everyday. He
showed the peddler the thirty kronor notes he got as payment that month. Then he hung the
leather pouch on a nail in the window frame. Next morning the crofter went to milk the cow,
and the peddler went away. However, he returned after half an hour, broke the window pane,
took the money out of the leather pouch and hang it back on the nail.This episode shows that
in loneliness, human beings crave for company, for social bonding. Secondly, temptations
can overpower the greatest philosopher. The peddler who calls the world a rattrap is himself
tempted by thirty kronor.
Q3. How did the peddler feel after robbing the crofter? What course did he adopt and
how did he react to the new situation? What does his reaction highlight?
Ans: Having robbed his generous host, the peddler felt quite pleased with his smartness. He
did not feel any qualms of conscience that he had abused the confidence reposed in him by
the crofter. The selfish wretch thought only of his own safety. He realised the danger of being
caught by the police with the stolen thirty kronor on his person. Hence, he decided to
discontinue walking on the public highway and turn off the road, into the woods.
During the first few hours the woods caused him no difficulty. Later on, it became worse as it
was a big and confusing forest. The paths twisted back and forth. He kept on walking but did
not come to the end of the wood. He realised that he had only been walking around in the
same part of the forest. The forest closed in upon him like an impenetrate prison from which
he could never escape.
The reaction of the peddler highlights the predicament of human nature. Temptations lead to
evil. The fruits of evil seem pleasant at first, but they deprive man of his goodness and push
him into the maze of the world which holds a vice-like grip on him.
Q4. (i) ‘The blacksmiths glanced only casually and indifferently at the intruder.’
(ii)“The ironmaster did not follow the example of the blacksmiths who had hardly
deigned to look at the stranger * What do these attitudes reveal? How does the forge-
episode help to develop the story? What is its implication?
Ans: The blacksmiths display the typical attitude of manual workers and labourers for whom
work is the first priority and parasites on human society are drags on the fruit of their labour.
The master blacksmith nods a haughty consent without honouring the intruder with a single
word. Evidently, he regards the tramp as insignificant.
The ironmaster, who is on his nightly round of inspection, behaves differently. He walks
closely up to him and looks him over carefully. Then he removes his slouch hat to get a better
view of his face. In the uncertain light of the furnace he mistakes the stranger for his old
regimental comrade and requests him to go home with him. When the stranger declines the
invitation, the ironmaster sends his daughter to persuade him to spend Christmas Eve with
them. Thus the forge episode helps to develop the story.
The episode highlights the difference in the reactions of various persons to the same set of
circumstances. This reveals the shades of human nature. It shows that even the person with
best discernment may commit an error of judgement.
Q5. Bring out the contrast in the ironmaster’s attitude and behaviour towards the
stranger before and after he realises his mistake.
Ans: The ironmaster is moved to see his old regimental comrade in a pitiable state. He
considers it a mistake on his part to have resigned from the regiment. He insists that his old
comrade will go home with him. As the stranger declines the invitation, he thinks that the
man feels embarrassed because of his miserable clothing. He explains that he does not have
such a fine home that he cannot show himself there. He requests the stranger to provide
company to him and his daughter for Christmas. When the stranger refuses thrice, he sends
his daughter, with a big fur coat to persuade him. Just before breakfast on Christmas Eve, he
thinks of feeding him well and providing him same honourable piece of work.
His behaviour undergoes a U-turn when he looks at the well-groomed stranger and realises
his mistake. He expresses his displeasure with a wrinkled brow and demands an explanation
from the man. Though the peddler defends himself well saying he never pretended to be
someone else, the ironmaster calls him dishonest and threatens to hand him over to the
sheriff. When the metaphor of world being a rattrap softens him a bit, he asks the peddler to
quit at once.
Q6. What impression do you form of Edla on reading the story ‘The Raitrap’ ?
Ans: Miss Edla Willmansson is the eldest daughter of the owner of the Ramsjo Ironworks.
She is not pretty, but modest and quite shy. She is quite obedient and visits the forge at the
behest of her father. She has a wonderful power of observation and takes quick judgement.
From the stranger’s frightened looks, she concludes that he is either a thief or a runaway
convict. She uses her skills of persuasion to make the stranger agree to accompany her home.
Her compassionate looks, friendly manner and polite way of address help her. She tells her
father that nothing about the man shows that once he was an educated man.
She believes in the spirit of Christmas and intercedes on behalf of the stranger to per suade
her father to let him stay and be happy. She first makes a passionate plea and then argues that
they should not chase away a person they had invited themselves and promised him
Christmas cheer.
Her dejection on learning that the peddler with rattraps was a thief reflects her sensitiveness.
The gift of the captain makes her happy. It is her noble action that helps a thief redeem
himself. In short, she is an intelligent, affectionate and kind young girl.
Q7. Comment on the efuRng of the story ‘The Rattrap’.
Ans: The story ‘The Rattrap’ has a very beautiful ending. It helps us to realise that all is not
lost for human beings who are prone to fall into the trap of material benefits. It is the
protagonist of the story—the peddler with the rattraps—who coins the metaphor of the
rattrap, falls
himself in it on being tempted and ultimately redeems himself by renouncing the temptation.
His admission that he had been the thief, and the treatment he got as a captain, show how
love and understanding can transform even a depraved soul. The story thus comes a full circle
with the ending. All questions are answered and no loose tags remain hanging.
The ending also pays tribute to the goodness of humanity here exhibited through Miss Edla
Willmansson. The happy ending also arouses our optimism and belief in the essential
goodness of man and other human virtues. Thus it serves to inspire the readers to do noble
acts.
Q8. Do you think the title of the story ‘The Rattrap’ is appropriate? Give reasons to
support your answer.
Ans: The story has an appropriate and suggestive title. It at once draws our attention to the
central theme—the whole world is a big rattrap. This metaphor helps us to understand the
human predicament. All the good things of the world are nothing but baits to tempt a person
to fall into the rattrap. Through the character of the peddler, the writer drives home the idea
that most human beings are prone to fall into the trap of material benefits.
The story begins with rattraps and ends with a rattrap as a present for someone who has
helped a rat to get free from’the rattrap. Even the middle of the story revolves round the
rattrap. The actions of the peddler after he steals thirty kronor of the old crofter reveal the
inner conflicts, tensions and lack of peace of a person who touches the bait of temptation.
Renunciation of the temptation helps in redemption.Thus, we conclude that the title is apt and
significant.
VALUE-BASED QUESTIONS
Q1. Honesty is considered the best policy for earning one’s bread and butter. Stealing is
a sin and a punishable act. Vagabonds tend to forget this essential goodness. Elucidate
the dictum in the light of the following lines:“He made them himself at odd moments,
from the material he got by begging in the stores or at the big farms. But even so, the
business was not especially profitable, so he had to resort to both begging and petty
thievery to keep body and soul together. ”
Ans: Honest Means of Livelihood
Every human being has to earn his bread and butter. Means vary from person to person, but
one has to face many obstacles and odd situations in life. These means can be fair or foul,
honest or dishonest. Unfortunately, the modem man hankers after money and has become
commercial-minded. People are not afraid of the Almighty. They wish to accumulate riches
by hook or by crook. They have no respect for humanity and moral values. The social norms
and time-tested principles bemoan somewhere in a comer. The mortals of this computer age
focus only on pecuniary gains. They are desirous of becoming rich overnight. And it is sure
that no one can make easy money without resorting to corruption. One should always
remember that those who are honest get respect in society and feel themselves satisfied. They
don’t have to feel guilty. But those who are corrupt hide themselves behind the veils when
caught. A person should always be honest and sincere. The factory workers, farmers, teachers
and poor artisans live an honest life and are appreciated everywhere. Freud rightly
proclaimed in his letter to Wilhelm Fliess that ‘Being entirely honest with oneself is a good
exercise’. A few honest men are better than numerous bad ones.
Q2. It is rightly said that the crown and glory of life is character. Alphonse Karr, a
French journalist, said, “Every man has three characters: that which he shows, that
which he has, and that which he thinks he has”. Substantiate the saying taking ideas
from the following expressions:“…It was quite honest, either. You must admit that, and
I should not be surprised if the sheriff would like to have something to say in the
matter.”
Ans:
“The crown and glory of life is character
When wealth is lost, nothing is lost;
When health is lost, something is lost;
When character is lost, everything is lost”.
Charming said that the great hope of society is individual character. Character plays a pivotal
role in the life of a human being. It is as significant for a man as a crown for a king. It is the
glory of a man’s life. Character reflects the traits and personality of a person. A man of
character retains moral strength and faces the music of life bravely. A man is judged by his
character. A person who has good character is respected and honoured in society. It is often
said that our lot depends on our character. One rises in life in proportion to the strength of
one’s character. Character gives self-satisfaction to a person. He can lead a happy and
contended life. He accumulates wealth in heaven instead of building treasures on the earth. It
is only character that distinguishes man from beasts. Goethe .remarked that “Talent is
nurtured in solitude; character is formed in the stormy billows of the world.
“Not in the clamor of the crowded street,
Not in the shouts and plaudits of the throng,
But is ourselves, are triumph and defeat. —Longfellow
Q3. Man is a gregarious animal. Aristotle wrote in Politics, “He who is unable to live in
society, or who has no need because he is sufficient for himself, must be either a beast or
a god”. Lonliness gnaws a man from within. Write an article on the topic mentioned
above in your own words. You can take ideas from the following lines:“…he knocked on
the door to ask shelter for the night. Nor was he refused. Instead of the sour faces which
ordinarily met him, the owner, who was an old man. without wife or child, was happy to
get someone to talk to in his loneliness.”
Ans: Loneliness: A Terrible Moment
Enduring loneliness requires perseverance and strength of mind. The state of alienation may
depress a person. He may become insane. Everybody cannot bear the pangs of leading a
lonely life. Seclusion irritates a mortal as it is known to us that man is a gregarious animal.
He needs company to share his views and thoughts. It is also said that solitude is the playfield
of satan. Man gets diverted and takes recourse to illegal ways. The Bible says that ‘woe to
him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up’. An alienated person
leads a miserable and pitiable life. Survival at a deserted place becomes next to impossible
for a human being. Solitude gives vent to the feelings of enmity against mankind. A
depressed person may go to any extent to avenge his seclusion. Solitude and melancholy are
synonymous of each other. Mother Teresa has described loneliness in a fitting manner. She
said, “Lonliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty”. Each
individual needs love, affection and company. The victims of solitude and lonliness never
feel themselves gratified. They never feel themselves the part of the main stream. It breeds
negativity and animosity. They become hostile towards the fellow human beings. The
repercussions of loneliness are catastrophic and disastrous.
Q4. Voltaire has rightly remarked that ‘Love truth, but pardon error’. It is by forgiving
that one is forgiven. Sympathy is a divine virtue. It is indispensable for a philanthropist.
Elucidate the dictum taking ideas from the following expressions.
“Since you have been so nice to me all day long, as if I was a captain, I want to be nice to
you, in return, as if I was a real captain—for I do not want you to be embarrassed at
this Christmas season by a thief- but you can give back the money to the old man on the
roadside…”
Ans: The Bible proclaims that ‘Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy5. Love
begets love and hatred begets hatred. People in this world have a reciprocal relationship.
They reciprocate the thing they receive. It is a universally accepted aphorism that ‘To err is
human, to forgive, divine’. Sympathy has a great power. A sympathetic person receives the
blessings of the destitute whom he helps or forgives. People can’t imagine the incredible
power of sympathy. A person’s kind acts and words may save many precious fives. One must
not forget that those who sympathise with others get inner satisfaction. It awakens the
affection of a human heart. It leaves an indelible impression even on the most rugged ’
nature. Its results are better than a king’s power. It helps a man in his endeavour to elevate his
fellow human beings from a state of poverty and distress. Dr. Samuel Johnson averred that
the wretched have no compassion. When a man suffers himself, it is called misery; when he
suffers in the suffering of another, it is called pity. Forgiveness is, undoubtedly, a divine
quality. The philanthropists should inculcate the habit of forgiving others in their character.