Introduction of the Rattrap

This lesson has not only the style but also a typical background of a fairy tale, forests, and individuals getting lost. The story is both entertaining and philosophical. Through the metaphor of a rattrap, the author highlights the human predicament of temptation. The story analyses the emotional needs of human beings and reinforces the fact that every human being has essential goodness. It only needs to be reawakened. ‘The Rattrap’ conveys a universal message.

The author believes that the essential goodness in man can be awakened through understanding and love. The act of kindness and hospitality shown by the ironmaster’s daughter awakens basic human goodness in the peddler. The story also highlights that this world is a big rattrap. Riches and wealth only tempt and trap as in.

The Rattrap Author | The Rattrap Writer 

Selma Lagerlof (1858-1940) was a Swedish writer whose stories have been translated into many languages. A universal theme runs through all of them — a belief that the essential goodness in a human being can be awakened through understanding and love. This story is set amidst the mines of Sweden, rich in iron ore, which figure large in the history and legends of that country. The story is told somewhat in the manner of a fairy tale

Discussion of the central theme of The Rattrap

The Rattrap Theme in English

The “The Rattrap ” by Selma Lagerlof is a story about a poor man who is traveling around and makes a living by selling small rattraps. One day he is invited to stay at a manor(crofter), where he is treated kindly and given a warm meal. However, he steals a small amount of money before he leaves.

As the man continues his journey, he is much affected by Edla’s kind behavior. He begins to feel guilty about what he has done. He realizes that he has been treating himself like a rattrap, always expecting to be caught and punished. But when he returns the stolen money, the woman who gave him food and shelter forgives him and gives him a sense of belonging that he had been missing.

The theme of the story is that a person can change his life by changing his attitude toward himself and others. The man was able to break out of his negative cycle and find a sense of belonging by being honest and taking responsibility for his actions. The story suggests that forgiveness and kindness can have a powerful impact on a person’s life.

The Rattrap Theme in Hindi

सेल्मा लेगरलोफ की “द रैट्रैप” एक गरीब आदमी की कहानी है जो इधर-उधर घूमता है और छोटे-छोटे चूहेदानी बेचकर अपना जीवन यापन करता है। एक दिन उसे एक घर मालिक (क्रॉफ्टर) के यहाँ रहने के लिए आमंत्रित किया जाता है, जहाँ उसके साथ दयालुतापूर्ण व्यवहार किया जाता है और उसे गर्म भोजन दिया जाता है।  हालांकि, जाने से पहले वह थोड़ी सी धनराशि वहां से चुरा लेता है।

जैसे-जैसे आदमी अपनी यात्रा जारी रखता है, वह एडला के व्यवहार से बहुत प्रभावित होता है। वह अपने किए के बारे में दोषी महसूस करना शुरू कर देता है। उसे पता चलता है कि वह खुद को चूहेदानी की तरह ट्रीट कर रहा है, हमेशा पकड़े जाने और दंडित किए जाने की उम्मीद करता है। लेकिन जब वह चोरी किए गए पैसे लौटाता है, तो उसे भोजन और आश्रय देने वाली महिला (एडला) उसे माफ कर देती है और उसे अपनेपन का अहसास कराती है जिससे कि वह वंचित था।

कहानी का विषय यह है कि व्यक्ति अपने और दूसरों के प्रति अपने दृष्टिकोण को बदलकर अपना जीवन बदल सकता हैं। वह  घुम्मकड़ व्यक्ति अपने नकारात्मक चक्र से बाहर निकलने में सक्षम हो पाया और ईमानदार होकर और अपने कार्यों की जिम्मेदारी लेकर अपनेपन की भावना को प्राप्त कर सका । यह कहानी बताती है कि क्षमा और दया का व्यक्ति के जीवन पर शक्तिशाली प्रभाव हो सकता है।

THE RATTRAP NOTES

The Poor Vagabond and His Philosophy of the World (Paragraph 1, 2, and 3)

• The story is set in Sweden during the Industrial Revolution.
• A rattrap seller faced hunger and deprivation.
• The business did not prove to be profitable.
• He resorts to begging and stealing to make ends meet.
• He is very sad and leads a dull life, walking on the roads all day.
•  He hits upon a philosophical idea that the world is a rattrap, all greedy people are like rats, attracted by the smell of riches which is like pork or cheese.
• The rattrap attracted and proved to be a fatal temptation because the moment one succumbs to greed, he could not get out, as the rattrap door will close behind him.
• The rattrap seller developed this negative feeling because of the world’s unkindness to him.
• He felt happy to think of others as rats for they were also cruel to him.

Hospitality of the Crofter (Paragraphs 4 and 5)

• He knocks at the house of a crofter and is surprisingly welcomed by him.
•  The crofter was feeling lonely and needed company. since he had no wife or child.
• The vagabond was offered porridge, and tobacco, and the crofter even played cards with him.
• The crofter also revealed his intimate secrets by telling him that he had earned thirty kronor by selling his cow’s milk.

The Vagabond’s Greed (Paragraphs 6, 7, and 8)

• The rattrap seller pretended to disbelieve the crofter so the crofter showed him the money that was kept in a purse and hung near the window.
• The next day the crofter locked the house after bidding goodbye to the vagabond.
• The rattrap seller was greedy so he smashed the windowpane and took away the thirty kronor belonging to the crofter.

Crime and Punishment (Paragraphs 9 and 10)

• The rattrap seller felt very happy to possess thirty kronor. To avoid the main highway for fear of being caught, he decided to go through the forest.
• He got lost in the confusing forest and could not find a way out. 
• He was dead tired and felt depressed that he would die in the forest with thirty kronor.
• He realizes that the forest was a trap and thirty kronor was the bait that he succumbed to.
• He sank to the ground in despair.
• Suddenly he heard the sound of a hammer and realized that there was an iron mill nearby. 
•  He summoned all strength and went toward the direction of the sound.

Ramsjo Ironworks (Paragraphs 11 and 12)

• The vagabond finds Ramsjo Iron Works, which was small.
• A master smith and his helper were busy melting iron and working.
• A big fire was there and work was in progress. 

Scene at the Forge (Paragraphs 13, 14, and 15)

• There was great clatter and coal was being put in the furnace.
•  The blacksmith paid no attention to the tramp as he was used to strangers frequently passing the way.
•  The tramp is granted permission to spend the night
• He laid down near the fire and drifted off to sleep.

The Visit of the Ironmaster (Paragraphs 16, 17, and 18)

•  Ramsjo Iron Mill was owned by an ironmaster.
•  Ironmaster was strict and paid regular visits for inspection.
• When he saw the tramp, sleeping near the furnace, he went near him to have a better look. 
•  The ironmaster could not see clearly in the dark forge and due to the tramp’s beard and cap, he mistook him to be his old acquaintance-‘Nils Olof.’

The Ironmaster’s Offer (Paragraphs 19, 20, and 21)

• The tramp was surprised to see the familiarity expressed by the ironmaster since he had never seen the ironmaster before.
• The ironmaster felt bad to see his old comrade in such a miserable condition.
• He offered an invitation to the tramp to accept his hospitality and come home with him.

Tramp Declines the Invitation of the Ironmaster (Paragraphs 22 and 23)

• The tramp was not pleased to receive the invitation of the ironmaster for he felt it was too risky.
•  Ironmaster again asked the tramp to come with him since he understood the complexes of the tramp and reassured him that there was no reason for any embarrassment as his wife and sons were away.
•  The ironmaster was living with his daughter and he wanted the tramp to enjoy the Christmas festivities with him.

Entry of Edla (Paragraphs 24, 25, and 26)

•  The peddler was surprised to see the ironmaster’s daughter at the forge, who had come to invite him.
•  Edla was pretty, modest, and shy and she had excellent persuasion skills.
•  She introduced herself and repeated the ironmaster’s invitation assuring the peddler any kind of freedom that he wished.

Peddler Accepts the Invitation (Paragraphs 27, 28, and 29) 

•  Edla spoke so kindly that the peddler accepted the invitation.
• Edla noticed that the peddler was a little wary and he had something to hide, maybe he was a thief or had escaped from jail.
• The peddler consented to accompany Edla but inwardly he was cursing himself for stealing the money and putting himself in a risky situation.

A Shock Awaits the Ironmaster (Paragraphs 30, 31, and 32)

• Edla confided to her father that there was nothing about the peddler to suggest that he could even have been an educated man.
• Ironmaster orders the peddler to be given a bath and new clothes.
• In broad daylight, the guest appeared very nice and clean but bore no resemblance to the ironmaster’s comrade.
• He expressed his disgust and shouted at the peddler.

Ironmaster’s Threat and the Peddler’s Reaction (Paragraphs 33 and 34)

• The peddler is not intimidated. He blames the ironmaster for forcing him to come there.
• The ironmaster threatened to call the police and get the peddler arrested.
• The tramp turned defiant and told the ironmaster philosophically that even the ironmaster was in danger of being caught in the rattrap of the world and suffering similarly. 
• The ironmaster was amused to hear this and ordered the peddler to leave.

Edla’s Intervention (Paragraphs 35 and 36)

• Edla opposed her father and criticized her father for being so heartless.
• She regretted the fact that her father had behaved badly with the peddler, particularly on Christmas Eve.
• She told her father that she wished the homeless peddler to enjoy at least a day of peace with them as they had invited him.

Reprieve-Festivities for the Peddler (Paragraphs 37, 38, and 39)

• The peddler enjoyed the Christmas food.
• He slept peacefully in bed for the first time. Edla asked him to keep the new suit he was wearing, as a Christmas present. He has also extended an invitation to visit them next Christmas.

Surprises after the Christmas Eve (Paragraphs 40, 41, and 42)

•  The ironmaster and his daughter went for the Christmas service at the church.
• At the church, they learnt that an old crofter had been robbed by a rattrap seller.
• They rushed back and asked the valet about the whereabouts of the peddler.
• The valet reported that the peddler had left without taking anything with him but he had left one packet for Edla.

A Captain-like Gesture (Paragraphs 43 and 44)

•  Edla is surprised to see a small rattrap with thirty kronor inside the packet.
• A letter was found inside the rattrap which expressed the tramp’s deep gratitude for treating him with dignity.
•  He had reciprocated in a captain-like way by returning the money as Edla had shown great faith in him.
• The letter bore the signature of ‘Captain Von Stahle’.

The Rattrap Short Summary of the Plot and its key events

The Rattrap Summary

The Rattrap is a story about a rattrap seller who leads a very poor life as his earnings are very low. He has to resort to thievery and begging to make both ends meet.

 The Rattrap is a story about a poor vagabond who leads his life by selling rattraps. He himself makes these rattraps. He lives alone in this whole world and leads a miserable and pitiful life.  He is not welcome anywhere.  Being a homeless person,  he stalks along the roads of the country throughout the year. He has philosophical views towards life.  One of these thoughts is of supposing the whole world as a big rattrap. His views are that the world offers us various types of baits in the form of the comforts of life. This in return traps us into the rattrap of the world and leads us to various types of miseries.

Every night, the peddler had to search for shelter as he had no home. One evening he was offered shelter by an old crofter. The next morning he stole the crofter’s money which he had earned by selling his cow’s milk. To save himself from being caught, the peddler chose the path through the forest which was secluded but soon found himself trapped in the forest as he wasn’t able to find the way out of the dense forest.

Later, he finds a way to a forge and takes shelter there. Something unusual happens. The ironmaster mistakes him as an old friend and invites him to his house. The poor peddler rejects the offer due to the fear of being caught. Soon he is invited by the ironmaster‘s daughter. The next morning he is somehow stopped by the ironmaster’s daughter for Christmas Eve even after being caught that he was a peddler and not Captain Stahle.

The next day after Christmas, when the ironmaster and his daughter visit the church, they come to know that the man is a thief who had stolen money from the old crofter. The ironmaster and his daughter repent for sheltering a thief and wonder at what all things he would have stolen by that time. Here comes a twist as instead of stealing, the peddler gifts the ironmaster’s daughter a rattrap. She finds a letter of thanks and the stolen money inside the rattrap.

The peddler shows his gratefulness towards Edla for her kindness and requests her to return the stolen money to the crofter.  This story gives us the message that goodness in a human being can be awakened at any time with your own good deeds.

The Rattrap Summary in Hindi

“चूहेदानी” एक गरीब आवारा व्यक्ति की कहानी है जो चूहेदानी बेचकर अपना जीवन व्यतीत करता है। ये चूहेदानी वह खुद बनाता है। वह इस पूरी दुनिया में अकेला रहता है और दुखी और दयनीय जीवन व्यतीत करता है। उसका कहीं स्वागत नहीं है। एक बेघर व्यक्ति होने के नाते, वह साल भर देश की सड़कों पर डगमगाता है। जीवन के प्रति उसके विचार दार्शनिक हैं। इनमें से एक विचार यह है कि पूरी दुनिया को एक बड़ी चूहेदानी के रूप में मान लिया जाए। उनका विचार है कि संसार हमें जीवन के सुख-सुविधाओं के रूप में तरह-तरह के प्रलोभन देता है। यह बदले में हमें संसार के चूहेदानी में फँसाता है और हमें विभिन्न प्रकार के दुखों की ओर ले जाता है।

हर रात, फेरीवाले को आश्रय की तलाश करनी पड़ती थी क्योंकि उसके पास घर नहीं था। एक शाम उसे एक बूढ़े जमींदार ने शरण दी। अगली सुबह उसने जमींदार का वह धन चुरा लिया जो उसने अपनी गाय का दूध बेचकर कमाया था। फेरीवाले ने खुद को पकड़े जाने से  बचाने के लिए जंगल के बीच से रास्ता चुना, जो सुनसान था, लेकिन जल्द ही उसने खुद को जंगल में फँसा पाया क्योंकि वह घने जंगल से बाहर निकलने का रास्ता नहीं खोज पा रहा था।

बाद में, वह एक फोर्ज का रास्ता ढूंढता है और वहां शरण लेता है। कुछ असामान्य होता है। मिल मालिक आयरनमास्टर उसे एक पुराना दोस्त समझने की गलती करता है और उसे अपने घर आमंत्रित करता है। बेचारा फेरीवाला पकड़े जाने के डर से ऑफर ठुकरा देता है। जल्द ही उसे आयरनमास्टर की बेटी ने आमंत्रित किया। अगली सुबह उसे आयरनमास्टर की बेटी द्वारा क्रिसमस की पूर्व संध्या के लिए रोका गया, यह पकड़े जाने के बाद भी कि वह एक पेडलर था न कि कैप्टन स्टाहले।

क्रिसमस के अगले दिन, जब आयरनमास्टर और उसकी बेटी चर्च जाते हैं, तो उन्हें पता चलता है कि वह आदमी एक चोर है जिसने पुराने जमींदार के पैसे चुराए थे। आयरनमास्टर और उसकी बेटी एक चोर को पनाह देने के लिए पछताते हैं और आश्चर्य करते हैं कि उस समय तक उसने क्या-क्या चीजें चुरा ली होंगी। यहां एक मोड़ आता है, क्योंकि फेरीवाला चोरी करने के बजाय आयरनमास्टर की बेटी को एक चूहेदानी उपहार में देता है। उसे चूहेदानी के अंदर एक धन्यवाद पत्र और चुराया हुआ पैसा मिलता है।

फेरीवाला एडला की दयालुता के प्रति अपनी कृतज्ञता प्रदर्शित करता है और उससे चोरी किए गए धन को जमींदार को वापस करने का अनुरोध करता है। यह कहानी हमें यह संदेश देती है कि मनुष्य में अच्छाई कभी भी अपने अच्छे कर्मों से जाग्रत हो सकती है।

The rattrap summary pdf 

The Rattrap NCERT Solution

Q.1 From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?

Answer: The peddler used to sell rattraps. One day he was thinking of his rattraps. Suddenly he was struck by the idea that the whole world about him was nothing but a rattrap. It offers riches, joys, shelter, and food as bait like a rattrap’s cheese rinds.

Q.2 Why was the peddler amused by his idea?

Answer: The peddler was a poor person and led a very hard life. People were not kind to him and he was chased away wherever he went. So he also had evil thoughts about the world. That is why he was amused by the idea.

Q.3 Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter?

Answer:- No, the peddler did not expect the kind of hospitality that he got from the crofter. Ordinarily, he met sour faces. He was not welcomed anywhere. But the crofter not only welcomed him but also served him supper.

Q.4 Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?

Answer: The crofter was an old man and lived all alone. In his loneliness he wanted someone to talk to. That is why he was so talkative and friendly with the peddler. 

Q.5 Why did the crofter show the thirty kronor to the peddler?

Answer: He showed the thirty kroner to the peddler because his guest seemed incredulous when he told his guest about his earning from his bossy cow. So, in order to make his guest believe he had to show his thirty kroner.

Q.6 Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?

Answer: No, He did not show any respect to the confidence reposed in him by the crofter. Besides that, he deceived his host by stealing his thirty kronor from the leather pouch hanging on a nail in the window frame.

Q.7 What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?

Answer:  The peddler stole the crofter’s thirty kroner. In order to save himself from being caught, he entered a wood. He walked and walked but was not able to come out of it. This made him think that he had indeed gotten into a rattrap as a bait of thirty kroner had lured him like a rat.

Q.8 Why did the iron master speak kindly to the peddler and invite him to his home?

Answer: The ironmaster found the peddler lying near a furnace. He mistook the peddler for an old regimental comrade in the poor light of the furnace. He invited the peddler to go home because he wanted to serve him as an old acquaintance.

Q.9 Why did the peddler decline the invitation?

Answer:  The peddler declined the invitation because firstly, he did not like the idea of going to the manor home as an old regimental comrade. Secondly, he had stolen money with him he did not want to be suspected and caught.

Q.10 What made the peddler accept Edla Willmansson’s invitation?

Answer: Edla Willmansson, the Ironmaster’s daughter, came to the forge to persuade him. She looked at him compassionately. She requested to stay with them over Christmas Eve. She assured him that he would be allowed to leave them just as freely as he came. Her friendly manner made him accept her invitation.

Q.11 What doubts did Edla have about the peddler? 

Answer: She saw the peddler carefully. She noticed that the peddler was afraid. It seemed that he had either stolen something or he had escaped from jail. He didn’t look like an educated man from his behavior.

Q.12 When did the iron master realize his mistake? 

Answer: The iron ironmaster mistook the peddler for an old regimental comrade in the uncertain light of the furnace. But when he saw the peddler well-dressed in broad daylight, he realized that he made a mistake.

Q.13 What did the peddler say in his defense when it was clear that he was not the person the iron master had thought he was?

Answer: The peddler did not make any attempt to dissimulate. He said that it was not his fault because he never pretended to be anything but a poor trader. He only begged to be allowed to stay in the Forge. He could put on his rags again and go away.

Q.14 Why did Edla still entertain the peddler even after she knew the truth about him? 

Answer: Edla was a kind-hearted girl. She wanted to feed a poor hungry man on Christmas and make him feel homelike. He should enjoy at least a day of peace with them. They had invited and promised him Christmas cheer.

Q.15 Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?

Answer:  Edla was happy to see the gift left by the peddler because the peddler had repented over his mistake. He requested Edla to return that thirty kroner to the crofter. He was not a thief now. He showed his friendship and high regard for Edla.

Q.16 Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain Von Stahale?

Answer: Edla showed her kindness and hospitality towards the peddler. It moved him completely and changed his mind. He wanted to prove himself true self by behaving like a captain. That is why he signed himself as captain Von Stahle.

The Rattrap Textual Questions

Q.1 How does the peddler interpret the act of kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter, the iron master, and his daughter?

Answer:- The peddler thought that the act of kindness and hospitality was nothing but bait to trap him. The old crofter was kind enough with his supper and tobacco role. He gave the peddler shelter and played “majolis” with him. But the thirty kronor was bait for the peddler as he took and found himself caught.

The ironmaster mistook him for an old regimental comrade. He invited the peddler to his home to enjoy Christmas Eve. But he refused to accept the invitation. He considered going to the manor’s house just like entering a lion’s den.

Finally,  he accepted Edla’s invitation because of her kind nature. Her kindness dispelled the malice that he had for the people around him. 

Q.2 What are the instances in the story that show that the character of the iron master is different from that of his daughter in many ways?

Answer:

1. Persuasive power:-  Ironmaster’s daughter has more persuasive power than his own. When the iron master wants to invite the peddler to his home on Christmas Eve. but he doesn’t succeed. He knows that Edla has more persuasive power than him. So he sends his daughter to persuade the peddler. 

2. More kind and generous:- Edla has basic human qualities. She has sympathy for unfortunate people. She wants to give the peddler happiness and peace of Mind. Her father is a man of dry reason. He gets angry as soon as he comes to know that the peddler is not the captain. 

3. Greater observer:- She is a greater observer than her father. She noticed at once that the peddler was quite frightened. It might be that Either he had stolen something or had escaped from jail. But her father takes the peddler as his old comrade. 

Q.3 What made the peddler finally change his ways?

Answer: The peddler was a poor man who used to sell rattraps around the countryside to earn his livelihood. He was not welcomed anywhere as he was chased away. People were very unkind to him. So he had developed a kind of aversion to the people around him. But in the end, the peddler seemed to be quite transformed.  Edla awakened the essential goodness in him through her understanding and kindness. She felt sorry for the unfortunate man. She wanted to have him enjoy a day of peace with them. She thought it unethical to chase away a guest. Edla’s human behavior and kindness have changed him. He left thirty kroner to be returned to the old crofter.

Q.5 How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human predicament?

Answer:- in the story “The Rattrap” the author Salman Lagerlof uses the metaphor very effectively. It is used to highlight the human predicament. The peddler is struck by the idea that the whole world is nothing but a big rattrap. It sets baits for people. The riches and joys, shelter and food are just baits. The moment one is tempted to touch the bait, the rattrap closes in on him. Then everything comes to an end.

The peddler is lost in a big and confusing forest. Now his own turn has come. He has let himself be fooled by a bait. Those thirty kroner worked as bait for him. Again the metaphor of the rattrap comes alive. We all know about this trap, yet we voluntarily fall into it. This is our predicament.

The Rattrap Extra Questions

Short Type Extra Question

Q.1 Why didn’t the peddler tell the iron master that he was not Captain Nils Olf?

Ans: The peddler thought that if the ironmaster thought that he was an old acquaintance, he might perhaps help him with a few kroner. Therefore the peddler didn’t tell the iron master that he was not his old acquaintance.

Q.2 Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter? 

Ans: No, the peddler had never expected the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter. He generally faced sour faces wherever he went. The crofter served him porridge for supper and tobacco for his pipe. He also played a game of cards with him till bedtime.

Q.3 “I never pretended to be anything but a poor trader and I pleaded and begged to be allowed to stay in the forge. At worst I can put on my rags again and go away,” said the peddler. Do you think the ironmaster was justified in sending the peddler away?

Ans. The ironmaster had himself invited The peddler, promising him Christmas cheer. He was not justified in throwing him out because the peddler was persuaded to accept the invitation which he had declined.

Q.4 “I only hope you won’t have to regret this”, said the iron-master to his daughter. Do you think his statement proved true in the future?

Ans. This statement did not prove to be true. The peddler, though he had stolen the thirty kronors of the crofter, could not betray the trust of Edla who had been very kind and considerate to him. He stood up to the honorable name of the Captain by which he was mistaken and reformed himself.

Q.5 Why did the peddler steal money from the crofter?

Ans. The peddler is a thief and a cheat. He had been treated badly so he wished to reciprocate in the same way. He had no qualms about stealing money from such a simple and hospitable crofter.

Q.6 Why was the ironmaster annoyed at the intervention of Edla when he was turning the peddler out of his house?

Ans. The ironmaster was very moody and temperamental. He was very impatient. The moment he discovered that the peddler was not his old comrade, he ordered him to get out. He was annoyed because Edla contradicted and opposed his orders and he did not like being disobeyed. Moreover, he felt such a stranger should not be kept at home.

Q.7. What Christmas gift did Edla give to the peddler?

Ans. Edla told the peddler to keep the Christmas suit he had been given earlier to wear, as a gift. She felt that it would be mean to take off his clothes as well as treat him badly. She also told him that he was most welcome to spend the next Christmas at their house.

Long Type Extra Questions

Q.1 “The peddler was conscientious so he could be reformed.” Discuss the truth of this statement in the context of the lesson.

Ans. The peddler is deceitful, greedy, immoral but deep within him is the consciousness of wrongdoings. He has become negative due to the behaviour of the people, who insulted and abused him. When he steals money from the crofter, he feels that it is God’s punishment that he is trapped in the forest. He declines the invitation of the ironmaster for his guilt has made him fearful of all influential men. He reproaches himself for declining the Christmas invitation, since he had resorted to petty thievery. The generosity of the crofter and his hospitably is not lost on him. So the peddler was already on the road towards reformation. When one is conscious of one’s mistake, the cure automatically follows. Edla was the trigger that unleashed all the goodness that lay dormant in his heart.

Q.2. Give a character sketch of the crofter as compared to the peddler. Do you believe that the Crofter was also in any way instrumental in reforming the peddler? Give reasons.

Ans. The crofter was a generous and kind-hearted man. He welcomed a stranger, a vagabond, to his house with open arms. The crofter lived alone, without a wife or a child, but that did not make him bitter like the peddler. He offered food to the peddler and then he carved off a big slice from his tobacco roll to share it with him. He played mjolis, a game of cards, with the stranger. 

    The crofter worked at Ramsjo Ironworks in his days of prosperity. Now he could no longer do hard labour, so he lived off his cow which gave enough milk to support him. He had no one to share his joy with and therefore he shared it with the peddler. He appears to be a very warm and friendly fellow.

The crofter doesn’t seem to affect the behaviour of the peddler as he didn’t think of his hospitality when he stole his thirty kronor. However, when another act of kindness in the form of Edla’s generosity came his way, he must have thought of the crofter. That is why he left the thirty kronors at Edla’s house, with a request to return them to the crofter. So the indirect influence of the crofter’s goodness can be seen in the peddler’s reformation.

The rattrap MCQs based on the story

1. What did the man go around selling?

A) Cheese and pork

B) Small rattraps of wire

C) Clothing and heat

D) Food and shelter

Answer: B) Small rattraps of wire

2. What did the man do to keep himself alive?

A) Sold rattraps

B) Begged for material

C) Engaged in petty thievery

D) All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above

3. What did the man think about the whole world around him?

A) It was a big rattrap

B) It was a happy place

C) It was a place of joy and prosperity

D) It was a place of love and compassion

Answer: A) It was a big rattrap

4. What did the world offer to people, according to the man’s thoughts?

A) Cheese and pork

B) Riches and joys

C) Clothing and heat

D) All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above

5. What did the man think happened to people who touched the bait of the rattrap?

A) They got free cheese and pork

B) They got all the riches and joys of the world

C) They got caught in the trap and everything came to an end

D) They lived happily ever after

Answer: C) They got caught in the trap and everything came to an end

6.  What did the man think about the people he knew?

A) They were all kind and generous

B) They were all trapped in the dangerous snare

C) They were all rich and prosperous

D) They were all happy and content

Answer: B) They were all trapped in the dangerous snare

7. What did the man see one dark evening while trudging along the road?

A) A big mansion

B) A little gray cottage

C) A large farm

D) A big store

Answer: B) A little gray cottage

8. How did the owner of the little gray cottage receive the man?

A) He refused to give him shelter

B) He welcomed him happily

C) He ignored him

D) He asked him for money

Answer: B) He welcomed him happily

9. What did the old man give his guest after supper?

A) Money

B) Clothing

C) Tobacco

D) Food

Answer: C) Tobacco

10. What supported the old man since he was no longer able to do day labour?

A) His bossy

B) His pig

C) His sheep

D) His goat

Answer: A) His bossy (cow)

11. How did the man get the material for making rattraps?

A) By purchasing it from a store

B) By begging in the stores or at the big farms

C) By stealing it from other people

D) By finding it in the woods

Answer: B) By begging in the stores or at the big farms

12. Why did the man have to resort to begging and petty thievery?

A) To buy himself new clothes

B) To keep himself fed and alive

C) To pay off his debts

D) To earn extra money

Answer: B) To keep himself fed and alive

13. What was the condition of the man’s clothes?

A) New and fashionable

B) Torn and ragged

C) Clean and neat

D) Dirty and smelly

Answer: B) Torn and ragged

14. What did hunger do to the man’s eyes?

A) It made them gleam with joy

B) It made them look angry

C) It made them look sad

D) It made them bulge out

Answer: A) It made them gleam with joy

15. What did the man think of the world around him?

A) He thought it was a wonderful place

B) He thought it was a big rattrap

C) He thought it was a peaceful haven

D) He thought it was a dangerous place

Answer: B) He thought it was a big rattrap

16. What did the man think of people who let themselves be caught in the rattrap?

A) He admired them for their bravery

B) He felt sorry for them

C) He thought they were foolish

D) He thought they were lucky

Answer: C) He thought they were foolish

17. How did the owner of the cottage treat the man?

A) He refused to give him shelter

B) He greeted him with sour faces

C) He welcomed him warmly and gave him supper

D) He ignored him completely

Answer: C) He welcomed him warmly and gave him supper

18. What game did the old man and his guest play until bedtime?

a) Checkers

b) Chess

c) Mjolis

d) Poker

Answer: c) Mjolis

19. What did the old man reveal about his past?

a) He used to be a banker.

b) He used to be a farmer.

c) He used to be a teacher.

d) He used to be a lawyer.

Answer: b) He used to be a farmer.

20. What does the old man’s cow do to support him?

a) She pulls a plow on the farm.

b) She gives milk for the creamery.

c) She is sold for meat.

d) She is used for transportation.

Answer: b) She gives milk for the creamery.

21. How much money did the old man receive for the milk his cow produced last month?

a) 10 kronor

b) 20 kronor

c) 30 kronor

d) 40 kronor

Answer: c) 30 kronor

22. What did the rattrap peddler do half an hour after leaving the old man’s cottage?

a) Tried to get back inside the cottage.

b) Said goodbye to the old man again.

c) Continued walking down the road.

d) Stole the old man’s money.

Answer: d) Stole the old man’s money.

23. How did the rattrap peddler steal the money?

a) He took it from the old man’s hand.

b) He found it lying around in the cottage.

c) He smashed a window and took it from a pouch.

d) He convinced the old man to give it to him.

Answer: c) He smashed a window and took it from a pouch.

24. Why did the rattrap peddler have to turn off the road into the woods?

a) To avoid being seen by the old man.

b) To avoid getting lost.

c) To take a shortcut to his destination.

d) To enjoy the scenery.

Answer: a) To avoid being seen by the old man.

25. What did the rattrap peddler feel after stealing the money?

a) Guilty

b) Happy

c) Sad

d) Angry

Answer: b) Happy

26. What did the rattrap peddler realize later in the day?

a) That he had taken the wrong turn.

b) That he had too much money to carry.

c) That he was lost in a confusing forest.

d) That he had left his own money behind.

Answer: c) That he was lost in a confusing forest.

27. What was the leather pouch used for?

a) To carry the old man’s keys.

b) To carry the old man’s tobacco.

c) To carry the old man’s money.

d) To carry the old man’s playing cards.

Answer: c) To carry the old man’s money.

28. What did the protagonist do to try to find a way out of the forest?

A) He followed a trail

B) He tried to walk in a definite direction

C) He climbed a tree

D) He called for help

Answer: B) He tried to walk in a definite direction

29. Why did the protagonist feel trapped in the forest?

A) The forest was too dark

B) The paths were confusing

C) He had no sense of direction

D) All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above

30. What did the protagonist think when he heard the hammer strokes from the iron mill?

A) He thought there might be people nearby

B) He thought he was hallucinating

C) He thought he was lost forever

D) He thought he heard an animal

Answer: A) He thought there might be people nearby

31. What was the Ramsjo Ironworks?

A) A forest

B) A river

C) A large plant

D) A town

Answer: C) A large plant

32. What type of transportation was used to move goods during the summertime near the ironworks?

A) Trains

B) Trucks

C) Barges and scows

D) Boats

Answer: C) Barges and scows

33. What were the master smith and his helper doing in the forge?

A) Cooking dinner

B) Waiting for someone to arrive

C) Watching the pig iron

D) Sleeping

Answer: C) Watching the pig iron

34. What were the smith and his helper wearing in the forge?

A) Shirts and sandals

B) Shirts and wooden shoes

C) Overalls and boots

D) Robes and sandals

Answer: B) Shirts and wooden shoes

35. What time of year was it when the smith and his helper were in the forge?

A) Spring

B) Summer

C) Fall

D) Winter

Answer: D) Winter

36. What type of work did the protagonist do before he became lost in the forest?

A) He was a rattrap peddler

B) He was a crofter at the ironworks

C) He was a milkman

D) He was a lumberjack

Answer: A) He was a rattrap peddler

37. What happened to the Ramsjo Ironworks?

A) It was destroyed in a fire

B) It was closed down

C) It was bought by a new owner

D) It expanded into a larger plant

Answer: B) It was closed down.

38. Why did the tramp enter the forge?

A) To steal something

B) To warm himself

C) To talk to the blacksmith

D) To sell rattraps

Answer: B) To warm himself

39. What did the blacksmiths think of the tramp?

A) They were impressed by his appearance

B) They were angry at him for entering the forge

C) They barely noticed him

D) They were scared of him

Answer: C) They barely noticed him

40. What was the ironmaster’s greatest ambition?

A) To own the biggest iron mill in the world

B) To produce the best iron in the market

C) To make a lot of money

D) To retire early

Answer: B) To produce the best iron in the market

41. What did the ironmaster do when he saw the tramp?

A) He ignored him

B) He asked him to leave

C) He recognized him and greeted him

D) He called the police

Answer: C) He recognized him and greeted him

42. What was the tramp wearing?

A) A suit

B) A long beard and dirty rags

C) A hat and gloves

D) A new coat

Answer: B) A long beard and dirty rags

43. What sound could be heard outside the forge?

A) Music

B) The sound of birds

C) A waterfall

D) Silence

Answer: C) A waterfall

44. What did the fire boy do?

A) He shoveled coal into the furnace

B) He played with fire

C) He went to sleep

D) He left the forge

Answer: A) He shoveled coal into the furnace

45. Why did the ironmaster tear off his slouch hat?

A) To show off his face

B) To see the tramp’s face better

C) To fix it

D) To protect himself from the heat

Answer: B) To see the tramp’s face better

46. What did the blacksmiths wear?

A) Suits

B) T-shirts and jeans

C) Long shirts and wooden shoes

D) Overalls

Answer: C) Long shirts and wooden shoes

47. What did the ironmaster do on his nightly rounds of inspection?

A) He slept

B) He watched TV

C) He checked that the work was done well

D) He went for a walk

Answer: C) He checked that the work was done well

48. Why did the tramp not want to go to the manor house with the ironmaster?

A) He was afraid of the lion’s den

B) He wanted to sleep in the forge

C) He was embarrassed about his clothing

D) He did not want to make the Christmas food disappear

Answer: B

49. Who was the owner of the manor house?

A) The tramp

B) The ironmaster

C) Captain von Stahle

D) The blacksmith

Answer: B

50. What was the ironmaster’s greatest ambition?

A) To have guests for Christmas

B) To own a fine home

C) To ship out good iron to the market

D) To persuade the tramp to come to the manor house

Answer: C

51. What did the tramp hope to receive from the fine gentleman?

A) Company for Christmas

B) A warm place to sleep

C) An invitation to the manor house

D) A couple of Kronor

Answer: D

52. Why did the tramp not want to reveal his true identity to the Ironmaster?

A) He was afraid of being rejected

B) He wanted to receive money from him

C) He did not like the manor house

D) He was ashamed of his past

Answer: B

53. What was the name of the ironmaster’s daughter?

A) Elizabeth

B) Stjernstrom

C) Von Stahle

D) Edla Willmansson

Answer: D Edla Willmansson

54. Who enters the forge followed by a valet carrying a fur coat?

A) The master blacksmith

B) The ironmaster

C) Edla Willmansson

D) The stranger

Answer: C) Edla Willmansson

55. What is the stranger’s initial reaction when Edla lifts his hat?

A) He jumps up abruptly and seems frightened

B) He smiles and greets her warmly

C) He falls back asleep

D) He doesn’t react at all

Answer: A) He jumps up abruptly and seems frightened

56. Why does Edla feel sorry for the stranger?

A) He looks sick and frail

B) He is wearing rags

C) He appears to be afraid

D) He is sleeping on the floor

Answer: B) He is wearing rags

57. What is Edla’s suggestion to the stranger?

A) He can stay at the forge for the night

B) He can leave whenever he wants

C) He can come home with her for Christmas Eve

D) He should go to the police station

Answer: C) He can come home with her on Christmas Eve

58. How does the stranger react to Edla’s invitation?

A) He declines

B) He accepts and follows her to the carriage

C) He attacks her

D) He runs away

Answer: B) He accepts and follows her to the carriage

59. What does the valet do when he enters the forge with Edla?

A) He hands the stranger a big fur coat

B) He introduces himself to the blacksmiths

C) He starts a fire in the furnace

D) He starts cleaning up the forge

Answer: A) He hands the stranger a big fur coat

60. What does the stranger use as a pillow while he sleeps in the forge?

A) A piece of pig iron

B) The fur coat

C) His hat

D) The floor

Answer: A) A piece of pig iron

61. Why does the stranger have evil forebodings while riding up to the manor house?

A) He is afraid of Edla’s father

B) He is worried about getting caught by the police

C) He feels guilty for taking the ironmaster’s money

D) He doesn’t want to spend Christmas Eve with strangers

Answer: C) He feels guilty for taking the ironmaster’s money

62. Who suggests that the stranger should come home with them for Christmas Eve?

A) The ironmaster

B) The blacksmith

C) Edla Willmansson

D) The valet

Answer: C) Edla Willmansson

63. How does the ironmaster react when the stranger declines his invitation to come home with him?

A) He is disappointed

B) He laughs to himself

C) He gets angry

D) He doesn’t react at all

Answer: B) He laughs to himself

64. What was the occasion on the day when the ironmaster came into the dining room?

A) New Year’s Eve

B) Christmas Eve

C) Thanksgiving Day

D) Independence Day

Answer: B) Christmas Eve

65. What did the ironmaster want to do for the stranger?

A) Buy him a new car

B) Get him a job

C) Give him money

D) Help him gain weight

Answer: D) Help him gain weight

66. What did the stranger do for a living?

A) Sold rattraps

B) Was an educated man

C) Worked in a forge

D) None of the above

Answer: A) Sold rattraps

67. . Why does the ironmaster allow the vagabond to stay?

A) Because he agrees with the daughter’s request 

B) Because he thinks the vagabond is harmless

C) Because he feels sorry for the vagabond

D) It is not specified in the passage

Answer:  A) Because he agrees with the daughter’s request

68. What did the father say to his daughter about the stranger’s behavior?

A) He needs to be punished

B) He needs patience

C) He needs to be kicked out

D) None of the above

Answer: B) He needs patience

69. What did the valet do for the stranger?

A) Cut his hair and shave him

B) Gave him new clothes

C) Bathed him

D) All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above

70. How did the ironmaster react to the stranger’s appearance after shaving?

A) He was pleased

B) He was confused

C) He was angry

D) He was amused

Answer: C) He was angry

71. What does the tramp strike the table with?

A) His foot

B) His fist 

C) A stick

D) A rock

Answer: B) His fist 

72 . Who intercedes for the vagabond to stay with them on Christmas Eve?

A) The ironmaster

B) The sheriff

C) The daughter 

D) The tramp

Answer: C) The daughter 

73. What was the daughter’s plan for the vagabond before she interceded for him?

A) To turn him away

B) To feed him

C) To give him money

D) To make things homelike and Christmassy for him 

Answer: D) To make things homelike and Christmassy for him

74. How does the ironmaster respond to the daughter’s request?

A) He opposes it

B) He agrees to it 

C) He ignores it

D) He laughs it off

Answer: B) He agrees to it 

75. How does the daughter feel about the vagabond’s situation?

A) She is indifferent

B) She sympathizes with him 

C) She is afraid of him

D) She dislikes him

Answer:  B) She sympathizes with him 

76. Why did the ironmaster invite the stranger to Ramsjo?

A) To have him arrested

B) To give him a job

C) To offer him a place to stay for Christmas

D) To play a prank on him

Answer: C) To offer him a place to stay for Christmas

77. What did the ironmaster think of the stranger’s presence in Ramsjo?

A) He was happy to have him there

B) He was suspicious of him

C) He was indifferent

D) He was angry at his daughter for inviting him

Answer: B) He was suspicious of him

78. How did the young girl convince her father to let the stranger stay?

A) By threatening to leave if he didn’t

B) By pleading with him to show Christmas kindness

C) By promising to keep an eye on the stranger

D) By offering to pay for his stay

Answer: B) By pleading with him to show Christmas kindness

79. How did the stranger behave during his stay at Ramsjo?

A) He caused trouble

B) He helped with the Christmas preparations

C) He slept most of the time

D) He entertained the guests

Answer: C) He slept most of the time

80. What did the young girl learn at church the next morning?

A) The stranger was a captain in the army

B) The stranger had stolen from someone in the town

C) The stranger had a criminal past

D) The stranger was wanted by the police

Answer: B) The stranger had stolen from someone in the town

81. What did the ironmaster think of the stranger after learning he was a thief?

A) He was angry with his daughter for inviting him

B) He was sorry he had let him stay

C) He was not surprised

D) He felt compassion for him

Answer: B) He was sorry he had let him stay

82. What did the stranger leave behind as a Christmas present?

A) A book

B) A piece of jewelry

C) A rattrap

D) A painting

Answer: C) A rattrap

83. What did the young girl find in the rattrap left by the stranger?

A) A stolen item

B) Money and a letter

C) A mouse

D) Nothing

Answer: B) Money and a letter

84. What did the stranger write in his letter to the young girl?

A) That he was sorry for his actions

B) That he was a captain in the army

C) That he had found redemption

D) That he wanted to see her again

Answer: C) That he had found redemption

85. What did the stranger suggest the young girl do with the money he left behind?

A) Keep it for herself

B) Return it to the old man on the roadside

C) Donate it to charity

D) Give it to her father

Answer: B) Return it to the old man on the roadside

The Rattrap Characters Analysis

Character Sketch of Edla in the Rattrap 

Edla Willmansson is the chief character of the chapter “The Rattrap” penned by Selma Lagerlof. She is the eldest daughter of the owner of “The Ramsjo Ironworks”. She is not at all pretty but has some good human qualities.

1. Kind, considerate, and noble in nature:- Edla is very kind and noble in her nature. She has kindness and nobility for the peddler. Even after knowing the peddler’s reality, she harbors the peddler in her house. Although she goes against her father’s desire by doing so.
2. Persuasive power:- Edla has more persuasive power than her father. When the ironmaster could not persuade the peddler to take him to his house at Christmas, he assigned this work to his daughter Edla. She does this very quickly and smoothly. Her magic words full of kindness have a startling effect on the peddler. He easily agrees to go with her.
3. Good perceiving power with insightful thinking:- Edla has very good perceiving power. When she first meets the peddler, she notices that the peddler’s face shows some expression as if he had stolen something or escaped from prison. Her speculation about the peddler proves true at last.
4. Words with awakening power:- Edla’s sympathetic nature towards the peddler has a magical effect on the peddler. It awakens essential goodness in the stranger. So he rises above the evil of greed and cheating because of a young girl. He thanks her for saving him from falling into the world’s rattrap.

Character Sketch of Peddler in the Rattrap

The peddler is the protagonist of the story ‘The Rattrap’ penned by Selma Lagerlof. Being a vagabond, he faces so many challenges in his life and struggles through the adversities of life. Here are some chief characteristics of his personality:-

His personality: The rattrap peddler was a poor man who lived the life of a vagabond. He had a great imagination. He wore rags, his cheeks were sunken and hunger gleamed in his eyes.

Fearsome in nature:- He always lives in constant fear of being caught and asked questions by police. He is not welcomed anywhere. He generally faces sour faces and chases away wherever he goes.

His livelihood: He went around selling self-made small rattraps of wire. This wire, he got by begging. He had some human weaknesses like thievery and begging to fulfill his basic needs. Devoid of any sheltering place, he spent his nights wherever he found shelter.

His philosophy: He feels that the world is just like a big rat trap. It exists only for the purpose of setting bait for people. According to him, all the riches, joys, food, clothing and shelter are just baits. If and when anyone touches the bait, the rattrap closes on him. Then everything comes to an end.

His inner goodness:  He is much influenced by Edla’s good behavior. He repents over his misdeed and returns the money stolen by him.

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