Class 12 - Literature - Chapter

Class 12 - Literature - Chapter - 4: The Rattrap

Chapter: The Rattrap

Author: Selma Lagerlöf
Genre: Fiction
Theme: Compassion, Human Goodness, Redemption

Summary:

The Rattrap is the story of a poor peddler who sells rattraps made of wire. He leads a miserable life, often resorting to begging and stealing. He views the world as a giant rattrap — offering bait in the form of material comforts that eventually trap people.

One day, he steals thirty kronor from an old crofter and runs into the forest. He gets lost and ends up at the ironmaster’s estate. Mistaken for an old acquaintance, he is treated kindly and given shelter, food, and clothes. Though the truth is later revealed, the ironmaster’s daughter, Edla, insists on letting him stay. Her kindness touches the peddler’s heart and transforms him.

He leaves a note for Edla, returning the stolen money and expressing gratitude for her goodness. He signs it as "Captain von Stahle" — the identity he was once wrongly given, but which he finally earns through his redemption.

Central Idea:

The story shows that human kindness can awaken the essential goodness in even the most hardened individuals. It highlights how empathy and compassion can lead to transformation.

Character Sketches:

The Peddler (Rattrap Seller):

Poor, lonely, and cynical.
Believes the world is a rattrap full of bait.
Initially dishonest but undergoes moral transformation.
Symbol of redemption and human dignity.

Edla Willmansson:

Daughter of the ironmaster.
Gentle, kind, and empathetic.
Believes in giving people a second chance.
Catalyst for the peddler’s transformation.

The Ironmaster:

Stern, impulsive, yet well-meaning.
Mistakes the peddler for an old regimental friend.
Represents society’s judgmental attitude.

The Crofter:

Simple, trusting, and generous.
Offers the peddler food and shelter, but is later robbed.
Represents innocence and misplaced trust.

Important Word Meanings:

Word	Meaning
Vagabond	A wanderer without a home
Rattrap	A trap used to catch rats
Bait	Something used to lure
Stealthily	Secretively
Intervened	Came in between to stop or change
Redemption	Saving from sin or evil

Textual Questions:

Q1. What made the peddler think that the world was a rattrap?

Ans: The peddler saw people chasing wealth, power, and material things, only to get trapped in them like rats in a trap. His own poverty and the cold, harsh world made him believe that the world was a big rattrap meant to trap people with baits.

Q2. Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von Stahle?

Ans: The peddler signed as "Captain von Stahle" to express that Edla’s kindness had transformed him. By returning the stolen money and behaving with honour, he felt worthy of the noble identity mistakenly given to him earlier.

Q3. How did the story of the peddler bring out the importance of human values and dignity?

Ans: The story highlights that even a petty thief can be reformed through compassion and respect. Edla's kindness gave the peddler a sense of dignity and a chance to change, proving that human values can uplift even the most lost souls.

Value-Based Questions (VBQs):

Q1. “The world had never been very kind to him, so it gave him an unwonted joy to think ill of it.” What does this suggest about the peddler’s state of mind?

Ans: It shows that the peddler was deeply bitter and cynical due to the harshness of the world. He found comfort in mocking society’s greed and found it satisfying to believe that others, too, would fall into the world’s ‘trap.’

Q2. What lesson can we learn from Edla’s behaviour?

Ans: Edla teaches us the value of kindness, non-judgmental behaviour, and believing in the potential for good in every individual. Her gentle treatment brought out the peddler’s hidden humanity.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):

The peddler compared the world to a:

(a) Zoo

(b) Prison

(d) Marketplace

What did the crofter do for a living?

(a) (a) Soldier

(b) (b) Retired ironmaster

(d) (d) Forest guard

Who helped the peddler change his ways?

(a) (a) The ironmaster

(b) (b) Edla Willmansson

(d) (d) A policeman

What did the peddler leave behind for Edla?

(a) (a) His coat

(b) (b) A rattrap

(d) (d) A flower

Extract Based Questions (RTC):

Extract 1 (Context: The peddler’s philosophy):
“The world had never been very kind to him, so it gave him an unwonted joy to think ill of it.”

Q1. Who is “him” in this extract?
Ans: “Him” refers to the rattrap peddler.

Q2. Why did he find joy in thinking ill of the world?
Ans: Because he had suffered poverty and neglect, it made him feel better to believe the world was just as cruel to everyone else.

Extract 2 (Context: At the end of the story):
“Honoured and noble Miss, since you have been so nice to me all day long, as if I was a real captain, I want to be nice to you, in return…”

Q1. Who wrote this note?
Ans: The rattrap peddler wrote this note to Edla.

Q2. What does this note indicate?
Ans: It shows the peddler’s complete transformation and his gratitude towards Edla’s kindness.

Thinking-Based/Extra Practice Questions:

1. Do you think the ironmaster treated the peddler kindly? Give reasons.

The ironmaster initially treated the peddler kindly, though out of mistaken identity. When he discovered the truth, his attitude changed, and he wanted to throw the peddler out. His kindness lacked depth and was conditional. Unlike Edla, his behaviour was more about formality and social status than genuine concern for the man.

2. Why didn’t Edla want to chase the peddler away even after knowing the truth?

Edla believed in treating everyone with kindness and respect. She felt that the man must be tired and lonely, especially on Christmas Eve. She thought it was unfair to turn him away after inviting him. Her compassion and faith in humanity made her insist that he be allowed to stay as a guest.

3. What role does the setting (cold, forest, ironworks) play in shaping the story?

The cold, harsh environment reflects the peddler’s loneliness and struggle. The forest represents confusion and entrapment, much like the rattrap. The ironworks, noisy and fiery, symbolise both danger and transformation — it’s where the peddler’s identity begins to shift. The setting helps deepen the themes of isolation, temptation, and redemption in the story.

4. Compare the peddler before and after his visit to the ironmaster’s house.

Before the visit, the peddler was a bitter, suspicious man who stole and believed the world was a rattrap. After experiencing Edla’s kindness and trust, he underwent a moral transformation. He returned the stolen money and left a letter of gratitude. He left as a changed man, choosing dignity over deceit.

5. What does this story tell us about the power of empathy?

The story shows that empathy can heal and transform. Edla’s genuine concern for the peddler’s dignity inspired him to become a better person. She looked beyond his outer appearance and past mistakes, awakening his sense of self-worth. Her simple act of kindness had a powerful and lasting impact on his life.

Flow Chart:

The peddler is poor and sells rattraps
⬇
He thinks the world is a big rattrap that tempts people with riches
⬇
He is welcomed kindly by a crofter who gives him food and shelter
⬇
The peddler steals 30 kronor from the crofter and runs away
⬇
He gets lost in the forest and feels trapped like a rat in the rattrap
⬇
He reaches the ironworks and is mistaken for the Ironmaster’s old friend
⬇
The Ironmaster invites him home, but he refuses
⬇
Edla, the daughter, kindly persuades him to come home
⬇
Her kindness makes him feel guilty and want to change
⬇
He leaves a note and returns the stolen money as a gift
⬇
He signs the note as 'Captain von Stahle', showing he has transformed

1. Why did the peddler think the world was a rattrap?

(CBSE 2020 – 1 mark)
Answer:
The peddler believed the world was a rattrap because it offers wealth and comforts like bait. Once people are tempted by these things, they get trapped just like rats in a rattrap.

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

(CBSE 2019 – 2 marks)
Answer:
Edla was happy because the peddler had not stolen anything and had even returned the stolen money. His note and gift showed that her kindness had changed him, which made her Christmas truly meaningful.

3. How did the crofter earn his living? Why was he so talkative and friendly with the peddler?

(CBSE 2018 – 2 marks)
Answer:
The crofter earned his living by selling milk to the creamery. He was lonely and lived alone, so he was happy to have company. That’s why he welcomed the peddler warmly and talked freely with him.

4. Why did the ironmaster invite the peddler to his home? Why did he change his attitude later?

(CBSE 2017 – 3 marks)
Answer:
The ironmaster mistook the peddler for an old friend from the army and invited him home for Christmas. When he later saw him in daylight and realised his mistake, he was angry and asked him to leave, as he thought the peddler was a thief or a fraud.

5. What did the peddler write in his letter to Edla? What does this show about his character?

(CBSE 2020 – 5 marks)
Answer:
In the letter, the peddler thanked Edla for her kindness and returned the 30 kronor he had stolen. He asked her to give it back to the crofter. He signed it as “Captain von Stahle,” showing he had started seeing himself as a respectable man, not a thief. This shows he had changed and wanted to live with honesty and dignity.

6. How did Edla bring about a change in the peddler?

(CBSE 2016 – 5 marks)
Answer:
Edla treated the peddler with respect and kindness, even after knowing he was not a captain. Her gentle behaviour and trust touched him deeply. For the first time, someone treated him like a human being. This made him reflect on his actions and decide to change his ways.

RTCs:

RTC 1:

"The world had never been very kind to him, so it gave him unwanted joy to think ill of it in this way. It became a cherished pastime of his to think of people he knew who had let themselves be caught in the dangerous snare, and of others who were still circling around the bait."

Q1. Who is ‘he’ in the passage?
Ans. ‘He’ refers to the rattrap seller, a poor and lonely man.

Q2. What does ‘snare’ refer to?
Ans. ‘Snare’ refers to worldly temptations like money, food, and shelter that trap people like a rat in a trap.

Q3. Why did he enjoy thinking this way?
Ans. He enjoyed thinking this way because, having suffered in life, he found comfort in imagining that others were also getting trapped in life's difficulties.

Q4. What theme of the story does this passage reflect?
Ans. The passage reflects the theme that the world is like a rattrap, where materialism and greed lead people to their downfall.

RTC 2:

"She said in a voice so firm that it would be impossible not to obey her, ‘You may stay with us over Christmas Eve. I’m sure you will enjoy yourself.’"

Q1. Who is the speaker?
Ans. The speaker is Edla Willmansson, the ironmaster’s daughter.

Q2. Who is she speaking to?
Ans. She is speaking to the rattrap peddler.

Q3. What does this tell us about the speaker’s character?
Ans. This shows that Edla is firm, kind-hearted, and compassionate, treating even strangers with dignity.

Q4. How does this moment become important in the story?
Ans. This moment is a turning point because Edla’s kindness leads the peddler to change and redeem himself.

RTC 3:

"The next morning, at the Christmas tree, she found a small package that was addressed to her. ‘From the rat-trap man,’ it said."

Q1. Who is ‘she’ in the passage?
Ans. ‘She’ refers to Edla Willmansson.

Q2. What was inside the package?
Ans. The package contained the 30 kronor stolen from the crofter and a letter from the peddler.

Q3. Why is the sender called the ‘rat-trap man’?
Ans. The sender is called the ‘rat-trap man’ because he used to sell rattraps and believed that the world was one.

Q4. What is the significance of this gift?
Ans. The gift signifies the peddler’s moral transformation and his desire to make up for his wrongdoing after being touched by Edla’s kindness.

Textual Questions

Short Answer Questions..

1. From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap? Why was he amused by this idea?

Ans..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.

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.

2. Why did he show the thirty kroner to the peddler? Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?

Ans..The crofter was very proud of his cow that gave him enough milk to support him. He told the 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.

However, the peddler did not respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter. In fact, he betrayed his trust by robbing the thirty kronors from him. Later in the story, his conscience was awakened after his stay with Edla Willmanssons and he decided to return the money.

3. What doubts did Edla have about the peddler?

Ans..When Edla went to the iron mill to fetch the peddler, she noticed that he was frightened. She had doubts that the peddler had stolen something or had escaped prison. His appearance and behaviour also left her in doubts whether he was actually an educated man, as claimed by her father.

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

Ans..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.

5. Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von Stahle?

Ans..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.

Extra Questions

1. The 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?

Ans Peddler- As he peddles or sells the rattrap

Vagabond -Used to describe his nomadic lifestyle

Stranger- Used to refer to the peddler when he was at the crofter’s place, possibly to emphasise the fact that the crofter was compassionate to an unknown man

Guest- He is treated with compassion, especially at the ironmaster’s house where he was invited to spend the Christmas

Intruder -When the peddler trespasses and enters the iron mill

Tramp - When the peddler asks for lodgings at the iron mill; also when the ironmaster, mistaking him for his old regimental comrade plans to help him drop his tramp ways and begin a new vocation

Ragamuffin - When the ironmaster first notices him wrapped in rags and in the state to utter destitution

Old regimental comrade- The ironmaster mistakes him for his old friend when he first meets the peddler at his iron mill

Poor hungry wretch - Used only once when the author mentions the fact that Edla was excited about the prospect of getting a chance to help an unfortunate fellow on Christmas

Rat - The peddler calls himself a rat and thanks Edla for helping him escape the rattrap with her kindness and compassion.

The gift of the rattrap signified that the peddler was releasing himself from the trap he had very nearly gotten into.

2. How does the story rattrap highlight the importance of community?

Ans.. The story "Rattrap" highlights the importance of community by demonstrating how acts of kindness and connection can transform even the most isolated and cynical individuals. Through the experiences of the peddler, the story shows that human connection and a sense of belonging can break down the barriers of isolation and lead to positive change, while also revealing the dangers of loneliness and the potential for redemption through compassion.

The story reveals that a supportive community fosters growth, restores faith, and guides individuals towards positive change.

3. What is the significance of the letter the peddler leaves for Edla?

Ans. In the story 'The Rattrap' , the letter the peddler leaves for Edla is significant because it reveals his gratitude for her kindness and her belief in him, which led to a personal transformation. He returns the stolen money and expresses how her treatment, even after learning about his past, made him want to change his ways and escape the 'rattrap' of his life.

The letter also serves as a philosophical reflection on the story's central metaphor of the 'rattrap'.He recognizes that he was caught in the trap of greed and selfishness but was able to escape through Edla's compassion.

4. What are the instances in the story that show that the character of the ironmaster is different from that of his daughter in many ways?

Ans..The ironmaster is rash, whereas his daughter is logical, kind, and considerate. In a hazy light, he mistakes the stranger as an old regimental comrade. He invites him to his home and takes care of his feeding, clothing, and other needs. When he sees him in broad daylight, he accuses him of being dishonest, demands an explanation, and threatens to summon the sheriff. His daughter is more perceptive. She notices the stranger’s fear and suspects him of being a thief or a fugitive prisoner. Despite this, she treats him with gentleness, kindness, and friendliness. Even though she is aware of the mistake in identity, she treats him with respect.

5. The 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 endearing him to us?

Ans..The peddler does not come across as a humorous person, but there is a subtle sense of humor in the way he sees the world as a giant rattrap. He is ecstatic about this thought because it allows him to think ‘ill’ of the world that isn’t kind to him. It is clear that whenever he is caught off guard, in the web of deception spun by his cunning mind, he hides behind the thought that the world is a rattrap and he is merely prey. As a result, he lightens the mood and theme of the story and endears us to him.

Long Answer Question

1. How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter, the ironmaster and his daughter?

Ans..The peddler was a man who walked around selling small wire rat traps. He was living the lonely and monotonous life of a vagabond. He knocked at the door of the crofter’s cottage. The crofter was an old man without a wife or children. He showed him kindness and hospitality, which the peddler had not anticipated. However, the peddler took his thirty-kroner. As a result, he betrayed the crofter’s trust in him.

The ironmaster, remembering Captain Von Stahle as an old acquaintance, extended kindness to him and invited him to spend Christmas Eve with him. But the peddler reasoned that if he said he was the one in the mind of the ironmaster, he would be rewarded with more kroner.

Edla Willmansson, in a very compassionate and friendly manner, asked the peddler to come to her house. He then decided to accept the invitation. However, while riding to the manor’s house, he felt very guilty about whatever he had done. As a result, he resolved to correct his error. He accomplished this by leaving Edla a gift containing the thirty kroner he had stolen from the crofter’s house. He had written in the note that he would return the crofter’s money.

Glossary – The Rattrap

Word / Phrase	Meaning
Rattrap	A trap used to catch rats; used metaphorically in the story for worldly temptations
Peddler	A person who travels to sell small goods
Plod along	To walk slowly and steadily, often in a tired or dull manner
Monotonous	Dull, repetitive, lacking variety
Forge	A workshop where metal is heated and shaped (in the story, a blacksmith's place)
Crofter	A poor farmer who works on a small rented piece of land
Hoisted	Lifted or raised something, often with effort
Tramp	A homeless person who travels on foot, often begging
Wretched	Very poor or miserable
Eloquent	Fluent and persuasive in speaking or writing
Mighty fine fellow	(Colloquial) A very good or respectable person
Interceded	Intervened on behalf of another; tried to help or defend someone
Bait	Something used to lure or tempt someone into a trap
Turned over a new leaf	Started behaving in a better, more moral way
Unwonted	Unusual or not typical
Whipped cream	Cream that has been beaten until fluffy; symbolises comfort and generosity
Deception	The act of lying or misleading someone
Conscience	Inner sense of right and wrong that guides actions

Themes:

1. Compassion and Kindness Can Transform Lives

The story highlights how a single act of kindness (by Edla Willmansson) brings a profound change in the rattrap peddler's life.
It shows that even those considered hopeless or dishonest can be reformed with empathy and trust.

2. The World as a Rattrap

A central metaphor in the story: the world is like a rattrap, full of temptations (riches, shelter, food) that trap people.
The peddler himself realises he got caught in the trap when he stole the ironmaster’s money.

3. Redemption and Inner Goodness

The peddler transforms from a thief to a grateful man who returns the stolen money and leaves a note of thanks.
The story suggests that everyone has the potential for goodness, no matter their past.

4. Isolation and Loneliness

The peddler is a lonely, rejected man who wanders without purpose. His transformation begins when someone treats him like a real human being.

5. Judgement vs. Understanding

The ironmaster misjudges the peddler, but Edla sees beyond appearances.
The story critiques superficial judgments and praises deep moral insight.

NOTEBOOK WORK

1. Word meanings

2. Flow chart

Q/A:

1. What is the significance of the letter the peddler leaves for Edla?

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

3. From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap? Why was he amused by this idea?

Character Sketches:

The Peddler (Rattrap Seller):

Poor, lonely, and cynical.
Believes the world is a rattrap full of bait.
Initially dishonest but undergoes moral transformation.
Symbol of redemption and human dignity.

Edla Willmansson:

Daughter of the ironmaster.
Gentle, kind, and empathetic.
Believes in giving people a second chance.
Catalyst for the peddler’s transformation.

The Ironmaster:

Stern, impulsive, yet well-meaning.
Mistakes the peddler for an old regimental friend.
Represents society’s judgmental attitude.

The Crofter:

Simple, trusting, and generous.
Offers the peddler food and shelter, but is later robbed.
Represents innocence and misplaced trust.

Pranshu's English Classroom (CBSE)

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