Realism with Symbolism in The Rattrap
The Rattrap is a fine example of realism blended with symbolism. Selma Lagerlöf presents realistic events and characters while using symbols to convey deeper moral and philosophical meanings.
Realism
Realism refers to the portrayal of ordinary life and believable characters.
Examples of realism in the story:
The peddler is a poor, homeless man who struggles to earn a living by selling wire rattraps.
The crofter is a lonely old man who welcomes the peddler into his simple cottage.
The theft of the thirty kronor is a realistic incident driven by poverty and temptation.
The ironmaster's manor, the ironworks, and the snowy forests of Sweden create a realistic setting.
The characters behave like ordinary people, showing both strengths and weaknesses.
Symbolism
Symbolism means using objects, places, or actions to represent deeper ideas.
Major symbols in the story:
The Rattrap: Symbolizes the world, where temptations such as money, wealth, and comfort act as bait that trap people.
Thirty Kronor: Represents greed and temptation, which lead the peddler into trouble.
The Forest: Symbolizes confusion, fear, and the feeling of being trapped by one's own mistakes.
Christmas: Represents hope, forgiveness, renewal, and a fresh beginning.
The Letter and the Returned Money: Symbolize repentance, honesty, and the peddler's moral transformation.
Captain von Stahle: Symbolizes the peddler's restored dignity and self-respect after Edla's kindness.
How Realism and Symbolism Work Together
Selma Lagerlöf uses realistic characters and everyday events to tell a believable story, while the symbols give the story a universal meaning about human life. The realistic theft and the compassionate treatment of the peddler make the story convincing, while the symbolic rattrap conveys the central idea that people are often trapped by their own desires. This combination makes The Rattrap both an engaging narrative and a profound moral lesson.
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