THE RATTRAP

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

One day the peddler was thinking of his rattraps.  Suddenly he was struck by an idea that the whole world with its lands and seas, its cities and villages was nothing but a big rattrap. It offered riches and joys, shelter and food as baits in the same manner as the rattrap offered cheese and pork. As soon as someone touches the bait, he finds himself in the trap.

Q.2.Why was he amused by the idea of world being a rattrap?

The peddler believed that the world with all its riches and joys, food and shelter appears as a rattrap to tempt people. The world had never been kind to him. It gave him unwonted joy to think ill of it. So he was amused to think about the people who were already caught in the trap and others circling around the bait.

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

No, the peddler did not expect the kind of hospitality he received from the crofter. Usually he used to meet sour faces without a word of kindness but he was pleasantly received by the crofter. He was served porridge as supper and tobacco for smoking. He entertained him and played “mjolis” with the host.

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

The crofter was an old man without wife and children. He was living a monotonous and dull life in solitude. He welcomed his guest very warmly. He offered him food and shelter. Naturally, he was happy to get someone to talk to in his loneliness. So he was talkative and friendly with the peddler.

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

The crofter was very proud of his cow that gave him enough milk to support him. He told peddler that he had got thirty kronor last month as payment by supplying the milk to creamery. The peddler seemed doubtful about it. So, in order to assure his guest he showed thirty kronor to the peddler.

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

No, The peddler did not respect the confidence reposed in him. The crofter had showed him honestly the thirty kronor he had earned last month. But the peddler became an easy prey to temptation. He left the cottage with the crofter but returned after half an hour. He smashed the window pane and stole the thirty kronor.

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

After stealing the crofter’s money, the peddler believed that it was not safe to walk on the public highway. So he went into the woods. But it was a big and confusing forest. He walked and walked but could not get out of it. The forest having its trunks, branches and thickets appeared to him a big rattrap. Then he realized that he had fallen into the rattrap.

Q.8.Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?

In the uncertain reflection from furnace, the ironmaster mistook the peddler as his old regimental comrade, Captain Von Stahle. His condition was very miserable. So being an old acquaintance he wanted to help him. He also wanted his company on Christmas Eve. So the ironmaster spoke kindly to the peddler and invited him home.

Q.9.Why did the peddler decline the invitation?

The peddler knew that the ironmaster had mistaken him as his old regiment comrade. The invitation by the ironmaster did not please the peddler since the he had the stolen money in his pocket. He thought that it would be like throwing himself voluntarily into the lion’s den. He was feeling guilty and frightened. So he declined the invitation.

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

Edla Willmansson had better power of persuasion. She looked at the peddler quite compassionately. She knew he was afraid. So she assured him that no harm would come to him and he would be allowed to leave just as freely as he came. Her friendly manner made the peddler feel confidence in her and accepted the invitation.

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

Edla Willmansson saw the crofter very carefully. He looked strange and fearful. Even her compassion failed to calm him. She had doubts that he had stolen something. It was also possible that he had escaped from the prison. He was having a hard time. Things had gone downhill with him. He did not look like an educated person.

Q.12.When did the ironmaster realize his mistake?

The ironmaster had seen the peddler in the uncertain reflection of the furnace. When the peddler appeared well-groomed in the broad day light, the ironmaster realized his mistake. He was not his old regimental comrade. He rebuked him and ordered to get out of the house. He even threatened to call the Sheriff.

Q.13.What did the peddler say …………….

The ironmaster came to know the reality about the peddler the next morning. The peddler in his defence explained that he never pretended to be what he was not. He showed himself as a poor trader. He only desired to sleep in the forge for the night. He had declined the ironmaster’s invitation again and again.

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

The peddler’s true identity came to light the next morning. But Edla served the peddler not as her father’s old comrade. Even after knowing the reality about the peddler she wanted him to stay with them on Christmas Eve and enjoy a day of peace. In her view it was not proper to chase away a person whom they had invited on Christmas.

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

When Edla opened the package of gift left by the peddler she felt very happy. She found a small rattrap with three wrinkled ten kronor notes and a letter addressed to her. He had left the 30 kronors for its rightful owner. He was not a thief but his circumstances made him so. She was happy to note that after all he had changed.

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

The peddler was a vagabond. When he was invited by the ironmaster, he behaved like a real captain. In this role, he raised himself above the petty temptation. Kindness and hospitality shown by Edla had transformed him completely. He wanted to behave nicely with them.So he signed himself as Captain Von Sthale.

Q.17. What is the message of the story “The Rattrap”?

Selma Lagerlof conveys a definite message in “The Rattrap”. The metaphor of the rattrap is very effectively used. The world is nothing but a big rattrap .But the essential goodness in man never dies. It can be awakened through love and understanding. Edla’s  nice behavior transforms the peddler completely.