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NCERT Solutions

The Rattrap (Selma Lagerlof)

CBSE · Class 12 · English

NCERT Solutions for The Rattrap (Selma Lagerlof) — CBSE Class 12 English.

51 questions30 flashcards5 concepts

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An illustration depicting the rattrap peddler in his initial state: ragged clothes, sunken cheeks, hunger in his eyes, carrying a bunch of wire rattraps, walking along a desolate road.
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32 Questions Solved · 9 Sections

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Think as you read

1From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?Show solution
The chapter says that while he was plodding along the road, he had fallen into a line of thought and suddenly got the idea that the whole world was like a big rattrap. So the idea came from his own thinking.

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2Why was he amused by this idea?Show solution
He was amused because the idea gave him unwonted joy to think ill of the world that had never been kind to him. He enjoyed imagining that people who chased riches and pleasures were really being trapped just like rats. It became a kind of cherished pastime for him.

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3Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter?Show solution
He did not expect such hospitality. The text says instead of the sour faces which ordinarily met him, the crofter was happy to have someone to talk to and gave him supper, tobacco, and cards.

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4Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?Show solution
The crofter was lonely because he was an old man without wife or child. Since he had no one to talk to, he was glad of company. That is why he was so talkative and friendly with the peddler.

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5Why did he show the thirty kronor to the peddler?Show solution
He showed the thirty kronor to make the peddler believe that he really had money. The stranger had seemed incredulous, so the crofter took out the pouch and displayed the three ten-kronor notes to prove his story.

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6Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?Show solution
No, he did not. Half an hour later he returned, smashed the window pane, stole the pouch with the money, and carefully hung the pouch back in its place.

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Think as you read

1What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?Show solution
When he got lost in the forest, the paths kept twisting and he went round in circles. Then he remembered his own idea that the world is a rattrap. He realised that he had let himself be fooled by a bait and had been caught. That made him feel that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap.

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2Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?Show solution
The ironmaster mistook the peddler for an old regimental comrade, Nils Olof. Thinking he knew him, he spoke kindly and invited him home out of friendliness and sympathy, also assuming that the man was embarrassed by his poor clothes.

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3Why did the peddler decline the invitation?Show solution
He declined because he feared the invitation. He had stolen the crofter’s money and felt that going to the manor house would be like throwing himself into the lion’s den. He wanted only to sleep in the forge and then slip away quietly.

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Think as you read

1What made the peddler accept Edla Willmansson's invitation?Show solution
He accepted Edla Willmansson’s invitation because she spoke to him kindly and compassionately. Unlike the ironmaster, she treated him with sympathy and assured him that he would be allowed to leave as freely as he came. Her manner gave him confidence.

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2What doubts did Edla have about the peddler?Show solution
Edla suspected that he might be a thief or someone who had escaped from jail. She noticed that he was frightened, and his strange appearance made her think so.

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3When did the ironmaster realise his mistake?Show solution
The ironmaster realised his mistake when the stranger came into the dining room after being cleaned and dressed. In broad daylight, he could see that the man was not the old acquaintance he had imagined.

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4What did the peddler say in his defence when it was clear that he was not the person the ironmaster had thought he was?Show solution
He said that it was not his fault; he had never claimed to be anything but a poor trader and had only begged to stay in the forge. He also said that if necessary he could put on his rags again and go away. Later, when the ironmaster accused him, he also explained that the world was a rattrap and warned the ironmaster that he too might one day be trapped.

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5Why did Edla still entertain the peddler even after she knew the truth about him?Show solution
Edla entertained him because she felt sympathy for him as a human being. She believed that even if the invitation had been a mistake, they should not chase away a human being whom they had asked into the house and promised Christmas cheer. She wanted him to enjoy at least one day of peace and comfort.

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Think as you read

1Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?Show solution
She was happy because the gift showed that the peddler had repaid her kindness and proved himself honest and grateful. The rattrap and the money were his way of thanking her and of returning the crofter’s money.

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2Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von Stahle?Show solution
He signed himself as Captain von Stahle because Edla had treated him as if he were a real captain, and he wanted to be nice to her in return, as if he really were one. It was a gesture of gratitude and self-respect.

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Understanding the text

1How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter, the ironmaster and his daughter?
2What are the instances in the story that show that the character of the ironmaster is different from that of his daughter in many ways?
3The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to others’ behaviour. Pick out instances of these surprises.
4What made the peddler finally change his ways?
5How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human predicament?
6The peddler comes out as a person with a subtle sense of humour. How does this serve in lightening the seriousness of the theme of the story and also endear him to us?

Talking about the text

1The reader's sympathy is with the peddler right from the beginning of the story. Why is this so? Is the sympathy justified?
2The story also focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond with others.
3Have you known/heard of an episode where a good deed or an act of kindness has changed a person's view of the world?
4The story is both entertaining and philosophical.

Working with words

1The 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.
2You 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.

Noticing form

1He 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.

Thinking about language

1Pick out other such phrases and words from the story that are peculiar to the terminology of ironworks.
2Mjolis is a card game of Sweden.

Name a few indoor games played in your region. 'Chopar' could be an example.
3A 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in The Rattrap (Selma Lagerlof) for CBSE Class 12 English?
The Rattrap (Selma Lagerlof) covers several key topics that are frequently asked in CBSE Class 12 board exams. Focus on the core concepts listed on this page and practise related questions to build confidence.
How to score full marks in The Rattrap (Selma Lagerlof) — CBSE Class 12 English?
Understand the core concepts first, then work through the 51 practice questions available for this chapter. Revise formulas and definitions regularly, and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.
Where can I get free NCERT Solutions for The Rattrap (Selma Lagerlof) Class 12 English?
This page has free step-by-step NCERT Solutions for every exercise question in The Rattrap (Selma Lagerlof) (CBSE Class 12 English) — written the way examiners award marks: given, formula, working, answer.

Sources & Official References

Content is aligned to the official syllabus. Refer to the board website for the latest curriculum.

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