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Lesson 4, , THE RATTRAP, -, , By Selma Lagerloff, , THEME: The trap of material benefit that most human beings are prone to fall into, SUB-THEME: The human tendency to redeem oneself from dishonest ways, IMPORTANT POINTs TO REMEMBER:, 1., , The story -set- in the mines of Sweden-rich in iron ore., , 2., , Tramp- physical appearance: had sunken cheeks; eyes gleamed with hungerled a sad &dull life, , -lived in rags., -earned his, , living by selling rattraps-business, , not, , profitable., , -resorted to-begging & thievery., , 3., , -Philosophical thought- whole world a big rattrap-attracts people with riches, joy shelter,, food, clothing just as cheese & pork attract a rat., Peddler's meeting the Crofter:, One day-dark evening-saw little gray cottage & asked for shelter, Owner old man-alone-needed company- welcomed the peddler., Old man-Crofter at Ramsjo ironworks earlier, now-had a cow-by selling milk had earned, about 30 kronor-money hung in leather bag near window frame., crofter-hospitable- offered porridge to eat, tobacco, played cards', next morning the tramp left - returned half an hour later-stole the money., , Walked on public highway -went to the forest- lost his way-realised caught in trap., Peddler's meeting the owner of the Iron mill:, Owner of the mill-rich; on night inspection-saw peddler-mistook for Nils Olof(Captain von, Stahle)- invited him to the Manor house-peddler refused the invitation., , 5., , Owner sent his daughter Edla Willmansson:, Edla not pretty, modest,, , shy, compassionate., , She sensed that either the peddler has escaped from jail or stolen something., The peddler accepted the invitation on Edla's assurance that he could go back as freely as he, 6., , would come., Christmas Eve:, Peddler-bathed, shaven, wore clean new clothes-owner realized his mistake., Peddler confessed not being acquaintance; said he had been forced to come to the house;, reacted, , angrily to threat of calling the police by the iron master

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Edla requested her father to allow the peddler to stay for Christmas Eve., Peddler was gifted a suit; treated with warmth,, 7., , Christmas Morning:, , Edla & her father went to church-heard about the theft at crofter's house by a peddler-worriedreturn home-peddler had left a package for Edla., Package contained-small rattrap, three wrinkled ten kronor notes & a leter for Edla -expressing, thanks for raising him to the level of Captain from an ordinary peddler & asking her to return the, money to the old man., , CHARACTERS:, Peddler: dishonest, thief, deceives people, ungrateful-later Edla's kindness & love, changes him to an honest, grateful person., , 2, , Edla: not pretty but kind, shy, modest., , 3., , Iron Master: helpful, kind, loses patience quickly, loving father., , 4., , Crofter: friendly, loved the company of people, talkative, hospitable, easily trusts, others., , PRACTICE QUESTIONS:, Q.1. Answer the questions in 30-40 words each:, i) What do we learn about the crofter's nature from the story, "The Rattrap"?, , Value Points:, (i), , Generous, loved company, loved to talk, hardworking, trusting, gullible, compassionate,, , lonely (any two)., (i) How did the peddler get trapped?, (i) Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von Stahle?, (iv) How did the peddler prove to be an ungrateful guest?, (v) What brought a change in the peddler'?, Q2. Answer the following question in 120-150 words:, ), , Mention in detail Edla's contribution in awakening the essential goodness in the peddler., Value Points:, Edla-a modest, kind & considerate girl., has more persuasive power than her father., h e r friendly nature & compassion-creates confidence, , in the peddler. -has better insight of human, , understanding., requests father to allow him to stay for Christmas., her, , kindness, love, sympathy have magical effect-act as trap-to awaken the, , essential goodness in the peddler., peddler rises above the evils of greed & cheating because of Edla.

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(i) Can a person really turn over a new leaf and can old habits really die? Explain in, the story "The Rattrap"., (ii) The peddler had an opportunity to steal twice in this story, but he succumbs to, context to, , -, , temptation only once. Elucidate., (iv) There is a saying." Kindness pays, rudeness never" In the story "The Rattrap" Edla's, attitude, , towards men and matters is different from her father's attitude. How are the values of, concern and compassion brought out in the story, "The Rattrap"?, (v) The story," The Rattrap" is both entertaining and philosophical. Do you think that the, form of, , philosophy of the peddler still holds good in the present day world? Express your views in, the form of an article., , QUESTIONS BASED ON EXTRACTIS, "You do preach worse than a parson," said the iron master. "I only hope you won't have to, regret this.", , 1.Who, , preaches like a parson?, , 2.Why did the iron master say that the speaker preach worse than a parson?, 3.Did the speaker regret her decision in the end?, 4. Who is, , a, , parson'?, , Answers., 1. Edla Willmansson, the Iron master's daughter preaches like a parson., , 2.The speaker insisted that they should not send the peddler away but should allow him to, , spend Christmas with them., 3.No, because her decision brought about a transformation in the character of the peddler., 4. Parson means, , priest.

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Question Bank-, , The Rattrap (Selma Lagerlof), , MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS, 1., , When did the peddler make the rattraps?, , a.) Distractive moments, b.) Odd moments, c.) Difficult moments, d.) Happy moments, 2. After following the sound of the regular thumping, where did the peddler finally land?, , a.) Manor house, b.) Forest, , c.) Ramjso Iron mills, , d.) Mjolis, 3. Why did the crofter show his money to the peddler?, a.) Because the peddler looked at him ridiculously., b.) Because he was rich, c.) Because the peddler seemed incredulous, d.) Because he wanted to flaunt, 4. What game did the peddler and the crofter play?, a.) Mehfils, , b.) Majlis, C.) Mjolis, d.) Mossacs, 5. Where did the crofter hang his pouch?, a.) Loft, b.) Door, c.) Frame, , d.) Window pane, b What gift did Edla receive from the peddler?, a.) A silver spoon, b.) A tiny rat, C.) A tiny rat tap, d.), , A tiny rattrap, , 6. According to the peddler, the world is a ..., a.) A place to live in, b.) A big rattrap, c.), , A big rat, , d.) A big bait, 7. What is the message of the story?, a.) Love and kindness are powerful reformers, b.) Kindness encourages thieves, c.) Thieves need reprimand, d.), , Kindness is powerless, , 34| P a Be

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8. What made the peddler finally change his ways?, a.) Edla's beauty, , b.) His mistaken identity, c.) His greed, d.) Kindness and care, 9., , From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a Rattrap?, a.) From crofter's behavior, b.) From his friend's situation, c.) From Edla's words, d.) From his circumstances and miserable life condition, , 10. Why id Edla bring the peddler to her house for Christmas cheer?, , a.) Because he was funny, b.) Because she Knew him, , c.) Because of his resemblance to her father's friend, d.) He was goodlooking, 11. How much money had the peddler stolen from Crofter?, a.) 20 kronors, c.) 30 kronors, b.) 10 kronors, d.) 40 kronors, ANSWER KEY, , 1. B., , 2. C, , 3.C, , 4.C 5. D. 6. B 7. A, , 8.D 9. D 10., , C, , SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS, 1. Why did the peddler think that the world was a rattrap?, Answer:- The peddler was an extremely poor man who earned his living by selling rattraps. His, mind thus was always preoccupied with rattraps. He felt that the shelter, food, clothes, riches and, joys that the world provided were all baits set to entrap man just as a rattrap offered cheese or, meat to entrap rats., , 2. Why did the peddler derive pleasure from his idea of the world as a rattrap?, Answer- The world had never been kind to the poor peddler. Wherever he went, he was greeted, with sour faces and was turned or chase away. Therefore, he derived pleasure from thinking ill of, the world in this way. Moreover, he perhaps was jealous of those whose fate was better than his, and was rather amuse to think that someday they too would be tempted by the bait and be caught, in the rattrap., , 3. Who was the owner of Ramjso iron mills? Why did he visit the mills at night?, , Answer: The owner of Ramjso Iron Mill was an ex-army man. He was very particular about the, quality of his products. That is why he visited the mills even at night to make sure that good iron, was shipped out from his mills., 4. Why did the peddler decline the invitation of the ironmaster?, Answer- The ironmaster has mistaken the peddler for an old regimental comrade and invited him, home. The peddler declined the invitation because he was carrying the money he had stolen. He, knew that if the ironmaster discovered his identity, he would hand him over to the police., 35, , P, , a ge

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5. Why was the peddler surprised when he knocked at the door of the cottage?, , Answer: The peddler was surprised as he was not only welcomed at the night but was also, provided food and shelter. He was treated like a guest not as a beggar., 6. What did the peddler sell? How did he make those rattraps?, Answer:- The peddler sold small rattraps made of wire. He made them himself. He got the material, by begging in the stores or at the big farms., 7. How did the peddler react when he saw that the ironmaster had recognized him as Nils Olof, an old, regimental comrade?, , Answer:- The peddler was mistaken by the ironmaster to be an old acquaintance from the, regiment. He assumed that the ironmaster would hand him a few kronors and therefore, made no, attempts to deny the reference being made. However, when the ironmaster said the that he should, not have, , resigned and suggested that, ", , Nils Olof" should accompany him to t h e manor,, , he flatly, , refused to do so, for fear of being recognized., 8. Why did the crofter welcome the peddler in his cottage?, Answer:- The crofter lived alone in his cottage. He was without wife and child. He welcome the, , peddler to overcome his loneliness., 9. The peddler was given to thievery and begging. Why?, Answer:-The peddler made small rattraps and sold them. But his business was not profitable. So he, had to resort to both begging and petty thievery to keep his body and soul together., 10. Describe the peddler., Answer:- The peddler was poor and wore shabby ragged clothes. His cheeks were sunken and, hunger shone in his eyes. He was tall, with a long grey beard and a bunch of rattraps dangling on his, , chest., , LONG ANsWER QUESTIONS:, 1. The story, "The Rattrap" is both entertaining and philosophical. Do you agree with this, , statement? Why/Why not?, Answer:- The story, "The Rattrap" is indeed, both entertaining an philosophical. The fast-paced, narrative in the the person, generous use of dialogue by the author and different characters, belonging to different mindsets and locales make the story interesting and entertaining., , Besides, the author has managed to keep up the suspense till the end., The incidents in the Forge, with the ironmaster coming at midnight, hold our attention. The, peddler's constant refusals to the ironmaster to accompany him, but his accepting Edla's, invitation in one go, the ironmaster's realization of his mistake, and Edla's sympathy and, generosity, all make the story quite gripping. While all the above events make the story, interesting, there is also an element of philosophy in the story., , 36 | P a Be

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Somewhere, the peddler's theory of the world being a rattrap is true. One feels caught up like a, rat in the entrappings of the world. Some people fall into this trap never to come out of it again., The story teaches us that, as human beings, we are not above temptations., , 2. Do you think the title, "The Rattrap" is appropriate? Give examples from the text in support of, your view., , Answer:- Selma Lagerlof gives a very apt an logical title to the story. The metaphor, not correct of the rattrap is very effectively used. The whole world is nothing but a big rattrap., All riches, joys, food and shelter are just baits. These baits make people restless, helpless and, powerless. The moment anyone touches the bait, the rattrap closes in on him. Then everything, comes to an end., The story revolves around the vagabond, who, though philosophises about the world being a, , rattrap, fals into its trap. Though the crofter shows him kindness by offering him food and, shelter, he robs him. His greed for money makes him fall in the rattrap. Further, when the, ironmaster mistakes him to be an old friend, he does him. He decides to cheat him of his, money. So even though the peddler tries hard not to fall into the rattrap or worldly riches and, materialistic benefits, he ultimately falls into one., 3. How did the peddler feel after robbing the crofter? What course of life did he adopt and how, did he react to the new situation?, Answer:- The peddler did not respect the confidence that the crofter had shown in him. As soon, , as the crofter went to milk his cow, the peddler smashed the window pane and took away the, crofter's thirty kronors. He was quite happy at his smartness. The peddler did not feel any prick, in his conscience due to his act of thievery. But he realized that he must not walk on the public, highway. Therefore, he turned to the woods. Initially he did not have any problem. Later in the, day it became very bad., It was a big and confusing forest. He tried to walk in a definite direction, but the paths twisted, back and forth strangely. He walked and walked without coming to the end of the forest. Finally, he realized that he had been walking around in the same part of the forest. All at once he, recalled his thoughts about the world and the rattrap. He thought now his turn had come. He, , thought, he had let himself befooled by a bait and had been caught., , 37| P a ge

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EXTRACTS FOR COMPREHENSION, Read the extracts and, 1., , answer, , the, , questions that follow:, , world had, of course, never been very kind to him, so it gave him, unwonted joy to think ill of, 4 in this way. It became a cherished, pastme of his, during many dreary ploddings, to think, of, nle he knew who had let themselves be caught in the dangerous snare, and of, others, who, were, still circling around the bait.", The, , Questions, (a) Who is being referred to here?, (b) Why had the world not been kind to him ?, , (c) What became his cherished pastime?, (d) Which word in the extract means, , 'uninteresting'?, , Answers, (a) The peddler is being referred to here., (b)The world had not been kind to him because he was, , enough by selling rattraps, , so, , he had to, , together., , beg, , alone, homeless and poor. He did not earn, and steal in order to, keep his body and soul, , c) His cherished pastime was, thinking about people who had allowed themselves, the trap of riches,, joys, shelter, food, heat and, and some, , clothing, , it., , d) The word which means, The old, , who were, , to be, , caught in, , circling around the, , 'uninteresting' is 'dreary'., , just as generous with his confidences as with his, porridge and, The guest, informed at once that in his days of, his host had been a crofter at tobacco., prosperity, and had worked on the land. Now that he was, Ramsjö Ironworks, no, able to do day, longer, it, labour, was his cow which, Supported him., man was, , was, , Questions, (a) Whom does 'he' refer to ?, , (b) What is he implying by 'In his days of prosperity his host had been a, crofter' ?, (c) Who was his guest?, (d) What does the writer mean by just as generous with his confidences' ?, Answers:, (a) "He' refers to the 'old crofter who had given shelter to the peddler., , (b) The crofter is implying when he was prosperous ne was entertained, by others but now thak he, was unable to work, hardly anyone visited nim or invited him, over. He was lonely, naua, craved for company, , had knocked at his, (c) His guest was the peddler, who, cottage for shelter for the night., kind and, was not, , (d), , It, , means, , that the old crofter, , peddler, , just, , hospitable but also freely confided in the, , about the world and the rattra., he recalled his thoughts, w nus own turm had coOm, a bait and had been caught. Tha, fooled, by, be, himself, He, had letits thickets and fallen logs, closed in upon him like a, branches,, an impenetrable, torest,prison, with trom, its trunke, which he, , 3. 'All at, , once, , could never escape.

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Questions:, (a) Whom does "he' refer to ?, (b) What, , was, , his philosophy of life ?, the, , trap?, (c) How had he been caught in, (d) What does theforest symbolise?, Answers, , (a) He' here refers to the peddler., it offered riches etc. just like cheese in, (b) His philosophy of life was that the world was big rattrap,, resist the temptation is caught in it., a rattrap to trap mice. Anyone who is unable to, 30 kroners from the crofter., (c) He, himself had been caught in the trap by stealing, because he had taken the bait and the trap, (d) The forest here symbolises the trap. He was trapped, had closed in on him. He could not find a way out from the impenetrable prison of the trap., , 4. The ironmaster did not follow the example of the blacksmiths, who had hardly deigned to look at, the stranger. He walked close up to him, looked him over very carefully, then tore off his slouch hat, to get a better view of his face., , Questions:, (a) Who is the stranger?, (b) What is the difference between the reaction of the ironmaster and the blacksmiths?, (c) Why does he look at him closely ?, Which word in the extract, , (d), , means, , the same as "condescended"?, , Answers, , (a) The stranger is the peddler., (b) The diference is that the blacksmiths had completely ignored the peddler while the ironmaster, was trying to get a closer look at him., (c) He looks at him closely because he found in him some resemblance of his friend, Nils Olof., , (d) Deigned, 5. But the stranger said no, and no, and again no, and the ironmaster saw that he must give in., "It looks as though Captain von Stahle preferred to stay with you tonight, Stjernström", he said to, , the master blacksmith, and turned on his heel.", , Questions, (a) Why did thestranger decline the invitation?, (b) Why does the ironmaster invite the stranger home?, , c)Whois Stjernström ?, (d) How do you know that the ironmaster left?, Answers, , (a) The stranger declined the invitation because he, kroners. He wanted, , morning., , to, , just sleep, , for the, , night, , was, , at, , the, , afraid of, , forge, , being caught for stealing thirty, inconspicuously, in the, , and leave, , (b) In the dim light of the forge, the ironmaster had mistaken the peddler for his old friend, and so, he invites him over to his house., , (c) Stjernström is the master blacksmith, who was working at the, forge., (d) We know that the ironmaster left because of the phrase 'turned on, , his heel'., looked at him compassionately, with her heavy, eyes, and then she noticed that the man, was, afraid. "Either he has stolen something or else he has, escaped, from,, she, and, jail",, thought,, adde, auickly, "You may be sure, Captain, that you will be allowed to, leave us just as freely as, , 6. "She, , Only please stay with us over Christmas Eve.", , you canl

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Questions, (a) Whom does 'she', , refer to ?, , (6)Whom is she inviting to spend Christmas Eve with them?, , ()What do you come to know about her from the given extract ? Give an, example., h Why do you think she said "you will be allowed to leave us, as freely as you came":, , Answers:, , (a) 'She" here refers, (b) She is, , to Edla, the, , ironmaster's daughter, , inviting the peddler over to their house, , spend Christmas Eve with them., compassionate, intelligent and is a good judge of human nature. By, looking at the, peddler she immediately understood that he was afraid because either he, had, stolen, or had, something, escaped from jail., to, , () Edla is, , (d) She says, 7., , because she wants to give him confidence that he, would be allowed to leave, whenever he wanted, without, any questions asked., "You must have, patience, my little girl," said the father. "As soon as he gets clean and dressed, up,, you will see, something different. Last night he was naturally embarrassed. The tramp manners will, fall away from him with the, tramp clothes.", so, , Questions:, (a) Who is the speaker ? Whom is he addressing ?, (b) Why does he ask her to be patient ?, (c) What does he mean by 'tramp manners will, fall away" ?, (d) What reason does he give for the, stranger's queer behaviour ?, Answers:, (a) The speaker here is the ironmaster and he is, speaking to his daughter Edla., (b) He asks her to be patient because Edla commented that the, stranger did not appear, educated man., (c) He, , to be, , an, , that his queer, uncouth behaviour would, change as soon as he puts on clean clothes., d) He thinks that his friend was embarrassed because of his, poor condition and so was behaving, means, , strangely., , 8., , "Now I am, but, , a, , going to tell you, Mr Ironmaster, how things are," he said. "This whole world is nothing, big rattrap. All the good things that are offered to you are nothing but cheese rinds and bits of, , pork, set out to drag a poor fellow into trouble. And if the sheriff comes now and locks me up for, nis, then you, Mr, O, , get, , a, , Ironmaster, must remember that a day may come when you yourself may want, then you will get caught in the trap.", , big piece of pork, and, , Questions:, , (a) Who is the speaker ? Who is being addressed ?, (b) Why does the speaker sound irritated?, , (c) What advice does he, give to the ironmaster ?, a) Why does he, say that if sheriff could come and lock him up?, Answers, a) The, , speaker is the peddler and he is addressing the, n e Speaker sounds irritated because the ironmaster blamed him for pretending to be his, , ironmaster, , friend, Captain Nils Olof., the ironmaster of, , falling into, , as, something more than what he already has., e, , a, , bigger trap when he,, , too, would want to get, , says so because the ironmaster insinuated that the sheriff would like to know about him., , Ta