CHAPTER-1
THE RATTRAP
SELMA LAGERLÖF
SELMA LAGERLÖF’S BIOGRAPHY
👉Full Name: Selma Ottilia Lovisa Lagerlöf
👉Birth: 20 November 1858, Mårbacka, Värmland, Sweden
👉Nationality: Swedish
👉Language: Wrote mainly in Swedish
👉Profession: Novelist, short story writer, and
storyteller
👉Literary Period: Late 19th and early 20th century
European literature
👉Major Themes:
o Folklore and myths
o Imagination and fantasy
o Moral values and human goodness
o Rural life of Sweden
👉Famous Works:
o
Gösta
Berling’s Saga
o
The
Wonderful Adventures of Nils
o
Jerusalem
👉Writing Style:
o
Simple,
imaginative, and symbolic
o
Blend of
realism and fantasy
o
Strong moral
and ethical message
👉Awards:
o
Nobel Prize
in Literature (1909)
o
First woman
to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature
👉Death: 16 March 1940, Sweden
👉Legacy: Remembered as one of Sweden’s greatest writers
and a pioneer female voice in world literature.
THE RATTRAP SUMMARY
The story The Rattrap is about a
poor man who makes rattraps and sells them to earn his living. He lives a
lonely life and believes that the world is like a big rattrap. According to
him, money and comforts are the bait that trap people and bring them sorrow.
One day, the rattrap seller takes shelter in the house of a crofter. The
crofter treats him kindly and shares food and money with him. But the rattrap
seller steals the crofter’s money and runs away. Later, he gets lost in the
forest and feels that he himself is trapped in the world’s rattrap.
He then meets an ironmaster who mistakes him for an old friend and takes him
home. The ironmaster’s daughter, Edla, treats him with kindness and respect,
even after knowing his true identity. Her goodness touches his heart. He feels
ashamed of his actions and decides to change.
In the end, the rattrap seller leaves the stolen money for the crofter and
signs himself as “Captain von Stahle,” showing his transformation.
The story teaches that love, kindness, and sympathy can change a person
completely.
THE RATTRAP SHORT QUESTION
1.
Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von Stahle?
Answer:
The peddler signed himself as Captain von Stahle because Edla treated him with
respect and kindness, like a real captain. Her good behavior changed his heart.
By using this name, he showed that he had become a better and honest person.
2.
Why did the peddler think that the world was a rattrap?
Answer: The
peddler thought that the world was a rattrap because it offers money, comfort,
and pleasure as baits. When people are tempted by these attractions, they get
trapped in troubles and suffer. According to him, the world catches everyone
who falls for its temptations.
3.
Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?
Answer: Edla
was happy to see the gift because the peddler proved her trust right. He
returned the stolen money and left a rattrap as a gift. This showed that her
kindness had awakened his goodness and helped him overcome the temptation of
money.
4.
If the world is “nothing but a big rattrap” as the tramp stated in
the story ‘The Rattrap’, who might the rattrap peddler be? Discuss.
Answer:
If the world is a big rattrap, the rattrap peddler represents a common human
being. He understands how temptations like money trap people. Through kindness
and love, he realizes that a person can escape this trap by choosing honesty
and goodness.
5.
Despite his philosophical insights, the vagabond fails to resist
temptations. What would you attribute this to? Explain with reference to any instance from the text.
Answer: Despite his
philosophy, the vagabond is poor, lonely, and weak against temptation. His
hunger and need for money make him steal the crofter’s savings. This shows that
hard life conditions often overpower good thoughts and moral understanding.
6.
Do you think the story reinforces a stereotype that women are more
trusting, forgiving and less practical than
men? Comment with reference to Edla’s actions in the story.
Answer: No,
the story does not show women as weak or impractical. Edla is kind but also
wise. She understands the peddler’s situation and gives him a chance to
improve. Her trust is thoughtful and leads to his moral change, not
foolishness.
7.
What might be the significance of setting the story’s events during
Christmas? Justify your opinion.
Answer: The
Christmas setting is important because it stands for love, kindness, and
forgiveness. During Christmas, people show compassion and help others. Edla’s
kindness and the peddler’s change of heart match the true spirit of Christmas,
which teaches humanity and moral rebirth.
8.
Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?
Answer:
The crofter was very talkative and friendly because he lived alone and felt
lonely. He had no family or companions. When the peddler came to his cottage,
he felt happy to have someone to talk to, so he welcomed him warmly.
THE RATTRAP LONG QUESTION
1.
Describe how the story, ‘The Rattrap’ shows that basic human goodness
can be brought out by understanding and love.
Answer: The story “The
Rattrap” shows that basic human goodness can be awakened by love and
understanding. The peddler lives a hard and lonely life and believes that the
world is a big rattrap full of temptations. Because of poverty and mistrust, he
steals the crofter’s money even after receiving kindness. This shows how harsh
conditions can make a person morally weak.
However, Edla Willmansson treats the peddler with respect, sympathy, and trust,
even after knowing his true identity. She does not judge or insult him. Her
kind behavior touches his heart deeply. As a result, he feels ashamed of his
wrong actions and decides to change. He returns the stolen money and leaves a
gift for Edla.
Thus, the story clearly proves that love, compassion, and understanding can
transform even a dishonest person and bring out the hidden goodness in human
nature.
2.
How would you compare the peddler’s actions in relation to the
crofter and Edla? Would you say kindness does not always beget kindness, and
that the conditions for receiving kindness are important for it to truly
transform people? Elaborate. Provide relevant textual details to support the
analysis.
Answer: The peddler’s actions toward the crofter and
Edla show two different responses to kindness. The crofter treats the peddler
warmly, gives him food, shelter, and money, yet the peddler steals his savings.
This happens because the crofter’s kindness is mixed with display of money,
which awakens temptation in the poor and desperate peddler.
In contrast, Edla’s kindness is selfless and
respectful. Even after knowing the peddler’s true identity, she treats him with
dignity and trust, without expecting anything in return. This genuine
compassion touches his conscience and leads to real transformation. He returns
the stolen money and leaves a gift for Edla.
Thus, the story shows that kindness does not always beget kindness. The
conditions and manner in which kindness is given are important. Only
understanding, respectful, and unconditional kindness can truly change a
person’s heart.
THE RATRAP EXTRACT BASED QUESTION
EXTRACT-1
She said this in such a friendly
manner that the rattrap peddler must have felt confidence in her.
‘It would never have occurred to me that you would bother with me yourself,
miss,’ he said. ‘I will come at once.’
He accepted the fur coat, which the valet handed him with a deep bow, threw it
over his rags, and followed the young lady out to the carriage, without
granting the astonished blacksmiths so much as a glance. But while he was
riding up to the manor house he had evil forebodings.
“Why the devil did I take that fellow’s money?” he thought. “Now I am sitting
in the trap and will never get out of it.”
i. Which of the following best reflect the 'friendly
manner' Edla exhibits toward the rattrap peddler as referred to in the extract?
1. Pay a compliment
2. Show kindness
3. Provide financial support
4. Be respectful
5. Speak in an excited tone
i.
Select the most suitable option.
A. 1 and 5
B. 2 and 4
C. 1, 2 and 3
D. 3, 4 and 5
ii. Fill in the blank with a correct option from those
given in the brackets, based on the information in the extract.
The peddler threw the fur coat over his rags and followed Edla out to the
carriage,______ (enthusiastically / silently / reluctantly).
iii. How did the peddler feel toward Edla after accepting
the fur coat and making his statement?
A. He decided to humour her gesture.
B. He felt obligated to trust her kindness.
C. He remained unsure about her true intentions.
D. He recognised and appreciated her compassion.
iv. What might have been the most likely reason the
blacksmiths were astonished when the peddler accepted the coat and left with
Edla?
v. Justify that guilt was the primary cause of the
peddler's sense of evil foreboding, based on the information in the extract?
vi. Complete the following suitably.
When the peddler says, "…I will never get out," his statement stems
from his guilt over stealing ‘that fellow’s’ money and his fear that _______ .
ANSWER
I. B. 2 and 4
II. silently
III. D. He recognised and appreciated her compassion.
IV. The blacksmiths were astonished because the poorly dressed peddler was
treated with respect, given a fur coat, and taken away like an honoured guest.
V. The peddler’s evil foreboding comes from guilt because he keeps thinking
about the money he stole and fears being caught for his wrongdoing.
VI. When the peddler says, “...I will never get out,” his statement stems from
his guilt over stealing ‘that fellow’s’ money and his fear that he would be
punished or trapped for the theft.
EXTRACT-2
The next day both men got up in good
season. The crofter was in a hurry to milk his cow, and the other man probably
thought he should not stay in bed when the head of the house had gotten up.
They left the cottage at the same time. The crofter locked the door and put the
key in his pocket. The man with the rattraps said good bye and thank you, and
thereupon each went his own way.
But half an hour later the rattrap peddler stood again before the door. He did
not try to get in, however. He only went up to the window, smashed a pane,
stuck in his hand, and got hold of the pouch with the thirty Kronor. He took
the money and thrust it into his own pocket. Then he hung the leather pouch
very carefully back in its place and went away.
i.
Select the correct option from those given in brackets, to fill in the
blank.
The behaviour of the peddler as described in the above extract is an act of___________.
(deceit / obedience)
ii.
"Both men got up in good season". The author uses the
expression 'good season' to denote that
(A) They slept for a long time.
(B) They got up in a good mood.
(C) They got up early and timely.
(D) They got up hurriedly.
iii.
State the irony in the peddler's response. "The man with the
rattraps said good bye and thank you".
iv.
Choose the correct option:
The flaw in the peddler's character as reflected in the above extract is
(A) He is jealous of rich people.
(B) He indulges in self-pity.
(C) He can rob his benefactor.
(D) He can sleep anywhere without any hesitation.
v.
Complete the following sentence:
The role of cow in the crofter's life is__________________________.
vi.
Choose one instance from the above extract to show that peddler acted
like a well mannered person.
ANSWER
I.. deceit
II. (C) They got up early and timely.
III. The irony is that the peddler politely says “good bye and thank you,” but
soon after he returns and steals the crofter’s money, betraying the kindness
shown to him.
IV. (C) He can rob his benefactor.
V. The role of the cow in the crofter’s life is a source of livelihood and
daily income, as he depends on it for milk.
VI. An instance showing the peddler acted like a well-mannered person is that
he said “good bye and thank you” before leaving the cottage.
EXTRACT-3
He thought of the thirty kronor. To
go up to the manor house would be like throwing himself voluntarily into the
lion's den. He only wanted a chance to sleep here in the forge and then sneak
away as inconspicuously as possible.
The ironmaster assumed that he felt embarrassed because of his miserable
clothing.
"Please don't think that I have such a fine home that you cannot show
yourself there", He said... "Elizabeth is dead, as you may already
have heard. My boys are abroad, and there is no one at home except my oldest
daughter and myself. We were just saying that it was too bad we didn't have any
company for Christmas. Now come along with me and help us make the Christmas
food disappear a little faster."
i.
What does the narrator mean by the expression 'throwing himself into the
lion's den'?
ii.
What does the expression 'sneak away' reveal about the intention of 'he'
in the above extract?
iii.
Select the correct option from those given in brackets to fill in the
blank.
“………there is no one home" indicates that the ironmaster was leading a ________________life.
(peaceful/lonely)
iv.
"We didn't have any company for Christmas." The essence of
Christmas spirit with reference to the above statement is :
(A) to make a special dish to mark the celebration.
(B) to invite guests to join the celebration.
(C) to show off his wealth.
(D) to conduct communal prayers.
v.
Complete the following statement suitably :
The peddler was feeling uncomfortable at the ironmaster's invitation because
the peddler only wanted to___________________.
vi.
Select the correct option from those given in brackets to fill in the
blank.
"Please don't think that I have such a fine home."
The ironmaster uttered the above statement to make the peddler feel_______________
(awkward/comfortable)
ANSWER
I.. The expression means going into
a dangerous situation knowingly, where he might be caught for stealing the
money.
II.The phrase ‘sneak away’ reveals that he wanted to escape quietly without
being noticed, as he was afraid and guilty.
III. Lonely
IV. (B) to invite guests to join the celebration.
V. The peddler was feeling uncomfortable at the ironmaster's invitation because
the peddler only wanted to sleep in the forge and leave quietly without being
caught.
VI. comfortable
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