The Rattrap (Selma Lagerlof) — NCERT Solutions

Given: Both the ironmaster and Edla interact with the peddler, but their responses differ greatly.

Answer: The following instances highlight the differences between the ironmaster and Edla:

1. Basis of invitation: The ironmaster invites the peddler home based on a mistaken identity — he thinks the peddler is his old regimental comrade. His kindness is conditional and based on self-interest (nostalgia for an old friend). Edla, on the other hand, invites the peddler knowing he is a stranger and possibly a criminal, purely out of compassion.

2. Reaction to the truth: When the ironmaster discovers the peddler is not Captain von Stahle, he immediately turns hostile and threatens to call the sheriff. Edla, however, insists that the peddler be allowed to stay, arguing that they had given their word and it would be wrong to break it.

3. Attitude at church: At church, the ironmaster is quick to believe the worst about the peddler when he hears about the robbery, and sarcastically remarks about the silver spoons. Edla is saddened and feels responsible.

4. Perception: The ironmaster is impulsive and superficial in his judgements. Edla is perceptive — she senses the peddler's fear from the very beginning and responds with empathy rather than suspicion.

In short, the ironmaster is impulsive, class-conscious, and self-serving, while Edla is compassionate, principled, and genuinely humane.

Given: The story 'The Rattrap' is full of unexpected twists in character behaviour.

Answer: The following are key instances of unexpected reactions:

1. The crofter's generosity: It is unexpected that a poor, lonely crofter would so warmly welcome a ragged stranger, share his food and tobacco, play cards with him, and even show him his savings. This level of trust from a stranger is surprising.

2. The peddler's theft: After receiving such warm hospitality, the peddler's decision to steal the thirty kronor is a shocking betrayal. The reader does not expect him to repay kindness with theft.

3. The peddler's refusal of the ironmaster's invitation: When a rich ironmaster offers a poor peddler shelter and comfort, one would expect the peddler to accept eagerly. His refusal is unexpected.

4. Edla's insistence on keeping the peddler: After the truth about the peddler is revealed, the expected reaction would be to throw him out. Edla's insistence on honouring their promise and letting him stay is a pleasant surprise.

5. The ironmaster's change of heart: The ironmaster, who was ready to call the sheriff, is persuaded by his daughter to let the peddler stay — an unexpected softening.

6. The peddler's final act of redemption: The most surprising and touching moment is when the peddler, who had stolen the money, leaves it behind in a rattrap as a Christmas gift for Edla, along with a letter. This act of honesty and gratitude is completely unexpected from a thief.

Given: The peddler is a thief who steals from the crofter, yet by the end of the story he returns the money.

Answer: It was Edla Willmansson's unconditional kindness and compassion that finally made the peddler change his ways. Several factors contributed to this transformation:

1. Genuine compassion: Edla treated the peddler with dignity and respect, addressing him as 'Captain' even though she suspected he was a criminal. She looked at him with compassion rather than suspicion or contempt.

2. Unconditional trust: She assured him that he was free to leave whenever he wished, and that no harm would come to him. This promise was kept even after the truth was revealed.

3. A sense of belonging: For the first time, the peddler experienced warmth, good food, and human company without any ulterior motive on the part of his host. He was treated as a human being with dignity.

4. The Christmas spirit: The festive atmosphere and Edla's invitation to return next Christmas if he wished gave him a sense of hope and a place in the world.

All these factors together stirred the peddler's conscience. He realised that Edla's goodness had 'raised him to captain' and given him the moral strength to resist the rattrap of the world. He returned the stolen money and redeemed himself.

Given: The central metaphor of the story is that the world is like a rattrap.

Answer: The metaphor of the rattrap is the philosophical core of the story and serves to highlight the universal human predicament in the following ways:

1. The world as a trap: Just as a rattrap uses cheese or pork as bait to lure rats to their doom, the world uses riches, joys, shelter, food, and warmth as bait to lure human beings. Once a person is tempted by these material comforts, the trap closes and he is caught — he loses his freedom, his integrity, and ultimately his happiness.

2. Universal applicability: The metaphor applies not just to the poor peddler but to all human beings. The crofter is trapped by his pride in his thirty kronor; the ironmaster is trapped by his nostalgia and class pride; even the peddler himself is trapped by the temptation of the stolen money.

3. The peddler's own entrapment: The peddler, who invented the metaphor, ironically falls into the very trap he described. He steals the thirty kronor — the bait — and finds himself lost in the forest, trapped like a rat. This is a powerful illustration of how even those who are aware of life's traps can fall into them.

4. Hope of escape: The metaphor also suggests that escape is possible — through human goodness and compassion, as demonstrated by Edla. The final image of the rattrap containing the returned money is symbolic: the trap that once imprisoned the peddler now becomes the vehicle of his redemption.

Thus, the rattrap metaphor universalises the theme and gives the story its philosophical depth.

Given: The peddler is a philosophical thinker who also displays a quiet sense of humour.

Answer: Despite the serious philosophical theme of the story, the peddler's subtle sense of humour lightens the narrative and makes him a more endearing character:

1. The rattrap philosophy itself: The peddler's idea of the world as a rattrap, while deeply philosophical, also has a wry, ironic quality. He takes a kind of malicious pleasure in thinking of all the people caught in the world's trap — this dark humour reveals a sharp, observant mind beneath his ragged exterior.

2. Irony of his own situation: When the peddler himself falls into the 'rattrap' by stealing the money and getting lost in the forest, the reader sees the irony — the man who invented the metaphor becomes its victim. This self-aware irony is a form of humour.

3. The letter to Edla: The peddler's farewell letter is written with a gentle, self-deprecating humour. He refers to himself as 'a rat who would have been caught in this world's rattrap' and signs himself grandly as 'Captain von Stahle'. The contrast between his humble reality and the grand signature is quietly amusing.

4. Endearing quality: His humour shows that despite his poverty and dishonesty, the peddler is an intelligent, self-aware, and sensitive human being. It makes the reader sympathise with him and root for his redemption.

Thus, the peddler's humour serves as a counterbalance to the story's serious themes, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Discussion Points:

Why the reader sympathises with the peddler from the beginning:

The reader's sympathy is engaged from the very first description of the peddler. He is portrayed as a man who has fallen on extremely hard times — he is poor, homeless, and leads a wretched existence. He makes rattraps from wire and sells them, but earns barely enough to survive. He is forced to beg and steal just to keep himself alive. He has no family, no friends, and no fixed abode. He is often turned away from doors and must sleep in the open or in barns. His loneliness and misery are vividly described, and the reader naturally feels compassion for him.

Furthermore, the peddler is shown to be an intelligent and philosophical man. His idea of the world as a rattrap shows a sharp, observant mind. This intellectual quality makes him more than just a stereotypical criminal — he is a complex human being who has been reduced to theft by circumstances.

Is the sympathy justified?

Yes, the sympathy is largely justified. While the peddler does steal from the crofter — which is morally wrong — his theft is born of desperation rather than malice. He is a victim of poverty and social neglect. Moreover, his ultimate act of returning the money and writing the letter to Edla shows that he has a conscience and a capacity for goodness. He is not irredeemably bad — he is a human being who, when treated with dignity and compassion, responds with honesty and gratitude. The story suggests that people are not inherently evil; circumstances and the lack of human warmth can drive them to wrongdoing.

Discussion Points:

The theme of human loneliness runs throughout 'The Rattrap' and is central to understanding the behaviour of several characters:

1. The peddler's loneliness: The peddler leads a completely isolated existence. He has no home, no family, and no friends. He walks alone on empty roads, sleeps in barns, and is often turned away. His philosophical musings about the rattrap are a product of this loneliness — he has nothing but his own thoughts for company.

2. The crofter's loneliness: The crofter lives alone in his cottage. His wife is dead and his cow is his only companion. When the peddler arrives, the crofter is so overjoyed to have company that he becomes excessively generous and trusting. His loneliness makes him vulnerable — he shows the peddler his savings, which leads to his being robbed.

3. The ironmaster's loneliness: The ironmaster too seems lonely. He lives in a large manor house and his excitement at meeting what he thinks is an old comrade suggests that he misses the bonds of friendship from his younger days.

4. The healing power of human connection: Edla's genuine warmth and companionship are what ultimately transform the peddler. When he is treated as a human being worthy of care and respect, his better nature emerges. This shows that human beings need to bond with others — isolation and rejection can lead to moral degradation, while compassion and connection can lead to redemption.

The story thus powerfully illustrates that loneliness is a trap in itself, and that human kindness is the key to breaking free from it.

Discussion Points (Sample Response):

This is an open-ended discussion question. Students are encouraged to share personal experiences or stories they have heard. Here is a sample response:

There is a well-known story of a young man who had decided to end his life and was walking to a bridge. On the way, a stranger smiled at him and asked if he needed help carrying his bag. That small act of kindness — being noticed and treated with care by a stranger — made the young man reconsider. He later said that the stranger's simple act of kindness had saved his life.

Similarly, in many real-life accounts, prisoners who were treated with respect and given opportunities for education and skill development have gone on to lead honest, productive lives after their release. The common thread in all such stories is that when a person is treated with dignity and compassion, it awakens their own sense of self-worth and their capacity for goodness.

The story of 'The Rattrap' itself is a fictional example of this truth — Edla's kindness transforms a thief into an honest man, at least for that moment.

Discussion Points:

Entertaining aspects:

1. The story has a strong narrative drive with interesting plot twists — the theft, the peddler getting lost in the forest, the case of mistaken identity, and the final surprise of the returned money.
2. The characters are vivid and memorable — the lonely crofter, the impulsive ironmaster, the compassionate Edla, and the complex peddler.
3. The irony of the peddler falling into his own 'rattrap' is both amusing and dramatic.
4. The letter at the end, signed 'Captain von Stahle', is a charming and touching conclusion.

Philosophical aspects:

1. The central metaphor of the rattrap raises deep questions about the nature of the world, human temptation, and the traps of material desire.
2. The story explores themes of loneliness, redemption, the power of compassion, and the capacity for human transformation.
3. It raises the question of whether people are inherently good or bad, and suggests that circumstances and human treatment play a crucial role in shaping behaviour.
4. The contrast between the ironmaster's conditional kindness and Edla's unconditional compassion raises philosophical questions about the true nature of goodness.

Thus, the story works on two levels simultaneously — as an engaging narrative and as a meditation on the human condition.

Given: The protagonist is referred to by various names and labels throughout the story.

Answer: The following are the various labels used for the peddler and what each indicates:

These varied labels reflect the changing perceptions of the peddler and highlight the theme of identity and social status in the story.

Given: Words like 'plod', 'trudge', and 'stagger' describe slow, weary movement.

Answer: Five other words that indicate movement accompanied by weariness or difficulty:

1. Shuffle — to walk slowly, dragging one's feet without lifting them properly; suggests exhaustion or old age.
2. Lumber — to move in a slow, heavy, awkward way; suggests great effort.
3. Totter — to walk or move in an unsteady way, as if about to fall; suggests weakness or fatigue.
4. Hobble — to walk with difficulty, typically because of pain or injury.
5. Shamble — to walk slowly and awkwardly, dragging one's feet; suggests a lack of energy or purpose.

Additional examples: limp, crawl, drag oneself, slog, wade (through difficulty).

1. himself is used for emphasis.
2. himself is used in place of a personal pronoun to show that the subject and object are the same person.
3. himself is used in place of a personal pronoun to show the same subject.
4. you yourself is used for emphasis.

Other reflexive-pronoun examples from the story include “he got up”, “he summoned himself”? No direct additional clear reflexives are printed beyond the given ones, but the chapter asks students to notice such usage in context.

Given: The story uses reflexive pronouns (himself, herself, yourself, themselves, etc.) in two ways — for emphasis and to refer back to the subject.

Answer: Here are additional examples of reflexive pronouns from the story, with an explanation of their use:

1. 'He had let himself be fooled by a bait and had been caught.'

— Himself refers back to the subject 'he' (the peddler). It signals that the action (being fooled) was done to the same person who is the subject. (Reflexive use)

2. 'He raised himself.'

— Himself refers back to 'he'. The peddler is the one raising himself — the action is performed on the subject by the subject. (Reflexive use)

3. 'He made them himself at odd moments.'

— Himself is used for emphasis — it stresses that he, and no one else, made the rattraps. (Emphatic use)

4. '...a day may come when you yourself may want to get a big piece of pork.'

— Yourself is used for emphasis — it stresses that even 'you' (the listener) might one day be in the same position. (Emphatic use)

5. 'She went up and lifted his hat herself.' (implied in context)

— If used, herself would emphasise that Edla personally performed the action. (Emphatic use)

Summary of uses:

• Reflexive use: When the subject and object of the verb are the same person (e.g., 'he raised himself').
• Emphatic use: When the reflexive pronoun is used to stress that a particular person (and no one else) performed the action (e.g., 'he made them himself').

Given: The story is set partly in an iron mill, and uses specific vocabulary related to ironworks.

Answer: The following words and phrases from the story are specific to the terminology of ironworks:

1. 'The maw of the furnace' — refers to the opening of the furnace where fuel (charcoal) is fed; 'maw' means a large, voracious opening.
2. 'Master blacksmith' — the head craftsman who works with iron and metal in the forge.
3. 'Apprentice' — a young person learning the trade of blacksmithing.
4. 'The forge' — the workshop where iron is heated and shaped.
5. 'Pig iron' — crude iron as it comes from the blast furnace, before it is refined; the peddler uses a piece of pig iron as a pillow.
6. 'Iron mill' — the factory or plant where iron is processed and manufactured.
7. 'Hammer strokes' — the sound of hammers beating on iron in the mill; the peddler hears this sound and follows it out of the forest.
8. 'Charcoal' — the fuel used in the furnace of an iron mill.
9. 'Furnace' — the large oven used to heat iron to very high temperatures.
10. 'Ironmaster' — the owner or manager of an iron mill.

Given: Mjolis is a Swedish card game mentioned in the story.

Answer: The following are some indoor games commonly played in different regions of India:

1. Chopar / Chaupar — A traditional Indian board game played with cowrie shells as dice, similar to Ludo. It is mentioned in the Mahabharata.
2. Carrom — A popular board game played across India, where players flick a striker to pocket coins into corner pockets.
3. Kabaddi (indoor version) — While usually played outdoors, a simplified version is sometimes played indoors.
4. Gilli-Danda — A traditional game played with a small stick (gilli) and a larger stick (danda); has indoor variants.
5. Pachisi — An ancient Indian cross-and-circle board game, considered the national game of India; it is the precursor to Ludo.
6. Teen Patti — A popular Indian card game, especially during festivals like Diwali.
7. Antakshari — A popular indoor singing game where participants must sing a song beginning with the last letter of the previous song.
8. Snakes and Ladders (Saanp Seedi) — A traditional Indian board game with moral lessons embedded in its design.

Given: A 'crofter' is a term specific to Scotland for a small farmer.

Answer: The following are uncommon or region-specific terms for 'a small farmer':

English terms:

1. Crofter — Scotland; a person who rents a small farm (croft).
2. Yeoman — Historical English term for a small landowner who farmed his own land.
3. Smallholder — British English term for a person who owns or rents a small piece of agricultural land.
4. Peasant farmer — A general term for a poor farmer who works a small plot of land.
5. Tenant farmer — A farmer who rents land from a landlord.
6. Husbandman — An archaic English term for a farmer, especially one who cultivates the land.

Indian/Regional terms:

1. Kisan (Hindi/Urdu) — A general term for a farmer or peasant.
2. Ryot (from Persian/Urdu 'ra'iyyat') — A term used in colonial India for a peasant farmer, especially a tenant.
3. Kunbi — A term used in Maharashtra for a farmer belonging to the cultivating community.
4. Vellalar — A term used in Tamil Nadu for a landowning farming community.
5. Halwaha — A term used in parts of Bihar and eastern UP for a landless agricultural labourer who ploughs the fields.
6. Marginal farmer — A modern administrative term in India for a farmer who owns less than one hectare of land.