The Rattrap: Complete Solution of Class 12 Flamingo

Summary of The Rattrap

The Rattrap is the story of a poor man who makes and sells rattraps. He lives a lonely life and struggles to earn a living. One day, while thinking about his troubles, he imagines the world as a giant rattrap. He believes that things like money, riches, and pleasure act as bait to trap people, just like cheese traps rats.

The peddler receives unexpected kindness from an old crofter (a small farmer) who gives him food and shelter. The crofter even shows him the thirty kroner (money) he had earned by selling milk. But instead of being grateful, the peddler steals the money after leaving the crofter’s house.

As he wanders through the forest with the stolen money, he loses his way and feels trapped. This makes him realize that he has fallen into the very “rattrap” he imagined – tempted by money and now stuck with guilt and fear.

Later, the peddler arrives at an ironworks, where the owner, the ironmaster, mistakes him for an old friend. The ironmaster invites him home, but the peddler is scared and refuses. However, the ironmaster’s daughter, Edla Willmansson, treats him kindly and convinces him to stay for Christmas.

At their home, the ironmaster realizes that the peddler is not his friend and gets angry. He wants to throw him out, but Edla insists that they let him stay and treat him as a guest, especially since it is Christmas.

The next morning, Edla finds that the peddler has left. But to her surprise, he didn’t steal anything from them. Instead, he left the thirty kroner he had stolen from the crofter along with a letter. In the letter, he thanks Edla for her kindness and signs it as “Captain von Stahle,” showing that her compassion helped him feel like a respected and dignified person.

The story teaches us that kindness can change people and that even those who seem lost can find a way to become better.

Theme of The Rattrap

The story The Rattrap explores the idea that material desires, such as money, riches, and luxuries, act as bait that traps people, just like a rattrap catches animals. Many individuals, driven by greed, lose their morals and get trapped in dishonesty and selfish behavior. The peddler in the story steals money from the crofter because he is tempted by material gain. However, he soon realizes that by stealing, he has fallen into a trap of guilt and fear, much like the metaphorical rattrap of the world.

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Sub-Theme of The Rattrap

The story shows that despite human flaws, people have the capacity to redeem themselves. The kindness and trust shown by Edla Willmansson inspire the peddler to change his ways. Though he had earlier fallen into dishonest behavior by stealing the crofter’s money, he returns it in the end, leaving it behind as a gesture of repentance. By signing the letter as “Captain von Stahle,” the peddler symbolically shows that he has regained his self-respect and embraced a better path. This demonstrates the human tendency to seek redemption and transform when given compassion and understanding.

Think as you read – I (Q&A of The Rattrap)

1. From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?
The peddler got the idea when he was wandering alone and thinking about his difficult life. He realized that just as a rattrap catches mice with bait, the world traps people with things like riches and desires.

2. Why was he amused by this idea?
He found the idea funny because people get caught in the “trap” of chasing wealth and happiness, just like rats in a rattrap.

3. Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter?
No, the peddler did not expect the crofter to be so kind and friendly.

4. Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?
The crofter was lonely and wanted someone to talk to, so he treated the peddler warmly.

5. Why did he show the thirty kroner to the peddler?
The crofter wanted to show off that he had saved some money by selling his cow’s milk.

6. Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?
No, the peddler betrayed the crofter’s trust by stealing the thirty kroner.

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Think as you read – II (Q&A of The Rattrap)

1. What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?
After stealing the money, the peddler got lost in the forest and felt trapped, just like the animals he compared with the rattrap earlier.

2. Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?
The ironmaster thought the peddler was an old friend from the army and wanted to help him.

3. Why did the peddler decline the invitation?
The peddler knew he had stolen the crofter’s money and was afraid that going to the ironmaster’s home might get him caught.

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Think as you read – III (Q&A of The Rattrap)

1. What made the peddler accept Edla Willmansson’s invitation?
The peddler accepted her invitation because she was kind and treated him with respect, unlike the ironmaster.

2. What doubts did Edla have about the peddler?
She felt that the man was not who her father thought he was and suspected something was wrong.

3. When did the ironmaster realise his mistake?
He realized his mistake when the peddler had cleaned up, and it became clear that he was not the captain from the army.

4. What did the peddler say in his defence when it was clear that he was not the person the ironmaster had thought he was?
The peddler said that he never claimed to be the captain and that it was the ironmaster who had made the wrong assumption.

5. Why did Edla still entertain the peddler even after she knew the truth about him?
Edla felt sorry for the peddler and wanted him to enjoy Christmas in peace, showing compassion.

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Think as you read – IV (Q&A of The Rattrap)

1. Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?
Edla was happy because it showed that the peddler had changed for the better and was grateful for her kindness.

2. Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von Stahle?
He signed himself as Captain von Stahle to show that he felt like a new, dignified person because of Edla’s kindness.

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Understanding the text (Q&A of The Rattrap)

1. How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter, the ironmaster, and his daughter?
The peddler initially takes advantage of the crofter’s kindness but is later touched by Edla’s care, which makes him change his ways.

2. What are the instances in the story that show that the character of the ironmaster is different from that of his daughter?
The ironmaster is quick to judge and treats the peddler harshly when he learns the truth, while Edla is kind and compassionate throughout.

3. The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to others’ behaviour. Pick out instances of these surprises.

• The crofter warmly welcomes the peddler, even though he is a stranger.
• The ironmaster rudely asks the peddler to leave after learning the truth.
• Edla shows kindness even when she knows the peddler lied.

4. What made the peddler finally change his ways?
The kindness shown by Edla made the peddler realize that people can be good, which inspired him to change.

5. How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human predicament?
The rattrap symbolizes how people get trapped by greed and desires, much like the peddler was trapped by the stolen money.

6. 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 endear him to us?
The peddler’s humorous remarks about being trapped in the “world’s rattrap” make him more relatable and add lightness to the story’s serious themes of redemption.

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Talking about the text (Q&A of The Rattrap)

1. The reader’s sympathy is with the peddler right from the beginning of the story. Why is this so? Is the sympathy justified?
The reader sympathizes with the peddler because of his poor condition and loneliness, which make his actions seem understandable.

2. The story also focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond with others.
Yes, the crofter and the peddler both feel lonely, and this loneliness drives them to seek company, even if briefly.

3. Have you known/heard of an episode where a good deed or an act of kindness has changed a person’s view of the world?
Students can share personal stories of how acts of kindness have transformed someone’s attitude toward life.

4. The story is both entertaining and philosophical.
The story entertains with its twists and surprises while making readers reflect on kindness, temptation, and redemption.

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Extract-Based MCQs from The Rattrap

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Extract 1:

“The whole world with its lands and seas, its cities and villages—was nothing but a big rattrap. It had never existed for any other purpose than to set baits for people. It offered riches and joys, shelter and food, heat and clothing, exactly as the rattrap offered cheese and pork, and as soon as anyone let himself be lured into it, it closed in on him, and then everything came to an end.”

MCQs:

1. What metaphor does the peddler use to describe the world?
   a) A web
   b) A rattrap
   c) A forest
   d) A prison
2. According to the peddler, what does the world offer to people as bait?
   a) Love and trust
   b) Heat and light
   c) Riches, food, and shelter
   d) Knowledge and wisdom
3. What happens when someone is “lured” by the world’s bait, according to the peddler?
   a) They gain happiness forever
   b) They become successful
   c) They are trapped and everything ends
   d) They become wiser
4. What does the peddler’s view of the world suggest about his state of mind?
   a) He is optimistic and hopeful
   b) He is angry and bitter
   c) He feels that life is unfair and hopeless
   d) He is curious about human behavior
5. What literary device is used in the comparison between the world and a rattrap?
   a) Simile
   b) Alliteration
   c) Personification
   d) Metaphor

Answer Key:

1. b) A rattrap
2. c) Riches, food, and shelter
3. c) They are trapped and everything ends
4. c) He feels that life is unfair and hopeless
5. d) Metaphor

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Extract 2:

“The old man was just as generous with his confidences as with his porridge and tobacco. The guest was informed at once that in his days of prosperity his host had been a crofter at Ramsjö Ironworks and had worked on the land. Now that he was no longer able to do any labour, it was his cow which supported him.”

MCQs:

1. What was the crofter’s profession during his earlier days?
   a) Blacksmith
   b) Carpenter
   c) Crofter at Ramsjö Ironworks
   d) Fisherman
2. How did the crofter support himself now?
   a) Through government aid
   b) By selling crops
   c) With the help of his cow
   d) By doing odd jobs
3. What does the crofter’s behavior towards the peddler show about his character?
   a) He is suspicious and rude
   b) He is lonely and generous
   c) He is proud and arrogant
   d) He is cunning and selfish
4. What does the crofter offer the peddler besides food?
   a) A place to sleep
   b) Tobacco
   c) A ride to the next town
   d) A pair of new shoes
5. What is the mood of this part of the story?
   a) Joyful and festive
   b) Warm and generous
   c) Cold and harsh
   d) Tense and suspicious

Answer Key:

1. c) Crofter at Ramsjö Ironworks
2. c) With the help of his cow
3. b) He is lonely and generous
4. b) Tobacco
5. b) Warm and generous

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Extract 3:

“The next morning they learned at the smithy that the man with the rattraps had been a thief. The old man had been robbed by his guest of the money which he had earned by selling his cow’s milk, and they realised that the guest was nothing but a vagabond.”

MCQs:

1. Who is being referred to as “the man with the rattraps”?
   a) The ironmaster
   b) The crofter
   c) The peddler
   d) A blacksmith
2. How did the peddler betray the crofter’s trust?
   a) He lied about his identity
   b) He stole the crofter’s money
   c) He damaged the crofter’s property
   d) He ran away without thanking him
3. How had the crofter earned the stolen money?
   a) By selling fruits
   b) By selling his crops
   c) By selling his cow’s milk
   d) By working in a factory
4. What word is used to describe the peddler after his theft is discovered?
   a) Gentleman
   b) Vagabond
   c) Soldier
   d) Friend
5. What lesson can be drawn from the peddler’s actions?
   a) Greed leads to loneliness
   b) Kindness always wins
   c) Honesty is unnecessary
   d) Trust strangers easily

Answer Key:

1. c) The peddler
2. b) He stole the crofter’s money
3. c) By selling his cow’s milk
4. b) Vagabond
5. a) Greed leads to loneliness

Working with words (The Rattrap)

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.

• Stranger: People see him as someone unfamiliar.
• Peddler: This shows his occupation.
• Tramp: It reflects people’s low opinion of him.

2. You came across the words plod, trudge, stagger in the story. Find five other such words with a similar meaning.

• Struggle
• Limp
• Shuffle
• Hobble
• Drag

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Noticing form

Pick other examples of reflexive pronouns from the story:

• “He comforted himself.”
• “She prepared herself for disappointment.”
• “He was ashamed of himself.”

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Thinking about language (The Rattrap)

1. Pick out other such phrases and words from the story that are peculiar to the terminology of ironworks.

• Forge
• Hammer blows
• Charcoal furnace

2. Name a few indoor games played in your region.

• Carrom
• Chess
• Ludo
• Snakes and Ladders

3. Think of other uncommon terms for ‘a small farmer’ including those in your language.

• Kulak (Russian)
• Ryot (India)
• Tenant farmer (English)