The Rattrap

THE RATTRAP

Q1. From where did the peddler get the idea of the world is a rat trap?

 Ans. The tramp went around selling small rattraps made of scrap wire. One day he was struck by the idea that the whole world was nothing but a big rat trap. 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. 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 did the ironmaster speak kindly to him and invite him home?

Ans. The ironmaster made a mistake in recognizing the tramp. Due to his shabby appearance and the fading light near the furnace he thought the man to be his old regimental comrade, Captain Von Stahle. Thus he addressed him warmly and invited him home.

 Q3. What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rat trap?

Ans. After having stolen thirty kroner from the crofter, the peddler realized that he could not walk on the public highway and so he turned off the road into the woods. It was a big and confusing forest and the paths twisted back and forth. He walked for a long time without coining to the end of the woods. He finally realized that he had been walking around in the same part of the forest. Recalling his thoughts about the world, and the rattrap he realized that he had let himself be fooled by a bait and had been caught.

 Q4. Why did the peddler decline the invitation of the ironmaster?

Ans. The peddler was aware of the fact that the ironmaster had extended an invitation to his comrade Captain Von Stahle. He also knew that after stealing the crofter’s money, he was at a risk of getting caught. So, he declined the invitation.

Q5. What made the peddler accept Edla Willmansson’s invitation?

Ans. Edla’s ability to persuade and convince the peddler to stay on, made him accept the invitation. She was compassionate and friendly. She asked him not to be afraid and assured him that he could go away freely after Christmas dinner. She begged him to join them for Christmas. Her sincerity and friendly nature made the peddler accept the invitation.

Q6. What doubts did Edla have about the peddler?

Ans. Just as Edla lifted the peddler’s hat he jumped up abruptly and seemed to be quite frightened. Her kind looks, her compassionate and friendly nature could not calm him. She perceived that it looked as if he had stolen something or had escaped from jail.

Q7. When did the ironmaster realize his mistake?

Ans. The ironmaster realized his mistake when he met the stranger the next morning. The valet had bathed him, cut his hair and shaved him. Moreover, he was dressed in a suit which belonged to the ironmaster. He wore a white shirt, a starched collar and whole shoes. When the ironmaster saw him in broad daylight it was impossible to mistake him for an old acquaintance. The ironmaster threatened to hand him over to the sheriff.

 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 the rattrap peddler. The crofter got up early in the morning to milk his cow. His guest also wanted to get up because the host was awake. Both left the cottage at the same time. The crofter locked the door and put the key in his pocket. Thereafter they both bade each other goodbye and went their own way.

Q9. What two plans did the ironmaster reveal to his daughter at breakfast on Christmas Eve? How did the daughter react?

 Ans. The ironmaster firstly decided that the old regimental comrade (the peddler) had to gain some flesh on his bones. Then he must choose a different profession and not run around the country selling rattraps. The daughter reacted by saying that the previous night there was no indication to show that he had once been an educated man.

LAQ’S

Q1. The peddler thinks that the whole world is a rat trap. This view of life is true only of himself and of no one else in the story. Comment. Answer in about 120-150 words.                                   

Ans. The peddler doesn’t think kindly of the world and its people. For him, the world is a big rattrap to trap the people in. The luxuries of the world are the baits that tempt the people to get trapped. The world has been very unkind to him. So it gives him great pleasure to think ill of it. Ironically, he finds himself trapped like a rat when he steals the thirty kronor of the credulous crofter. Subsequently, it leads him to Edla’s home where he receives nothing except kindness. It is true that this bitter view of the world is his own subjective one. In fact, the world has no dearth of genuinely kind people like the crofter, Edla and even the ironmaster. All treat him kindly. Edla believes in compassion and Christian values and eventually touches the goodness in him and helped him see the world in a positive light.

Q2. The Rattrap is a story where a good deed or an act of kindness changes a person’s view of the world. Discuss with reference to the theme.

Ans. ‘The Rattrap’ is an entertaining and philosophical story that reveals the theme of the human tendency to redeem oneself from dishonest ways. The tramp proves the idea that the essential goodness of human beings can be awakened through understanding and love. Circumstances had forced the peddler to indulge in petty crimes. Even though he used to sell rattraps made from scrap metal, his poverty had brought out the worst in him, making him bitter and killing his conscience.

The tramp’s view of the world was a cynical one: he envied those who were better off than him. He believed the world to be like a rat trap that offered temptations like shelter and food for entrapping victims. The peddler did not hesitate to steal money from the crofter even though he enjoyed his hospitality and warm welcome. Pangs of guilt troubled him when he lost his way in the forest. His bitter and hardened temperament received a chance for repentance when he encountered the ironmaster and his daughter.

The author brings an effective twist in the story to show that innate goodness exists in all human beings. It takes a little love, understanding and an act of friendship to bring it to the fore. The iron master’s daughter showed him sympathy, honour and respect and gave him a sense of dignity. This touched a chord in the heart of the peddler who at once felt that he was no longer the nameless tramp that he had been all his life but somebody with an identity. He redeemed himself by returning the stolen money as he had felt motivated by Edla’s kindness.