THE RATTRAP SELMA LAGERLOF 17.07.

2018 02
FULL SUMMARY
“The Rat Trap” written by Selma Lagerlof is a short story about an old disheartened beggar and thief who is taken in and shown generosity by a
young woman, her kindness changes his bitter attitude about life. There was a poor man who sold rat-traps and earned his livelihood. His
income from the traps was not enough. So he also begged and stole petty things at times. He was not a born thief as no man is. Necessity
compelled him in the petty thieving. He used to sleep at night in the houses of people if someone allowed him or some places like factories like
Ramsjo Iron-Works. Once an idea struck him that the world is like a rat-trap full of temptations to trap men. If a man is tempted by the baits of
wealth, power, etc. he is trapped like a rat in a rat trap. The man selling rat-traps lived a poor life without enough food or shelter. So he looked
upon the world in the light of his own sufferings. Once he took shelter in the house of a man who was the crofter in Ramsjo Iron-Works. The
man was lonely without any family. He welcomed the rat-trap man as he would get rid of his loneliness at least for a night. The crofter told him
about his life and showed him the thirty kronor that the crofter had kept near the window. Initially he was happy to get the money but very soon
the rat trap began to work. He feared detection and avoided the highway. He walked through the forest and lost his way there. He then saw the
forge of the Ramsjo Iron-Works and went there to spend the night near the forge. At that time, the iron-master, the owner of the factory, came in.
The iron-master by mistake thought him to be his old friend, Nils Olof, with whom he had served in the regiment. To help his friend fallen on bad
days, he invited the peddler to his house. The rat-trap man or peddler realized that the iron-master was making a mistake but he did not correct
him in the hope that he might help him a little. But he did not like to go into his house as he feared that he might be exposed and detected. But
the kind-hearted daughter of the iron-master Edla Willmansson was too compassionate and loving to be resisted. She suspected even that the
man might have committed some crime. But she ignored that and thought that the man, always haunted by fear and security, must have lived a
miserable life. She wanted to give him at least a night’s peace and security. She assured the peddler that in her house, he would be safe from
ant interference and he would be free to leave anytime. She persuaded him to be her guest on the Christmas Eve. The genuine compassion of
Edla gave the man a sense of peace and security. He slept all the while as if he wanted to make up for the sleepless nights he had spent
throughout his life. He ate the Christmas delicacies. The daughter gave him the suit that he was given to wear and she invited him to the next
Christmas and assured him of secrecy and security. The rat-trap man was overwhelmed. The next morning, he left the manor house. But before
leaving, he left the packet containing the thirty kronor of the crofter. He wrote a letter to Edla asking her to return the money to the crofter. He
wrote that she had treated him with respect as if he was a real captain. She had treated him as a man and not as a thief. That genuine regard
had induced him to be a better man and giving up stealing. Thus, the genuine compassion and kindness of Edla changed the life of a thief and
turned him to a better man.
NOTES
 ‘The Rattrap’ is a story that underlies a belief that essential goodness in human beings can be aroused through sympathy, understanding and love.
 Once a man went around selling small rattraps but he took to begging and thievery to keep his body and soul together.
 One day he was struck with the idea – the whole world is a big rattrap and it offers riches as bait.
 People let themselves be tempted to touch the bait then it closes in on them bringing an end to everything.
 One dark evening the rattrap peddler sought shelter in an old crofter’s roadside cottage.
 The old man gave him food, tobacco they enjoyed the card game too.
 Next morning the peddler stole away his thirty kroners.
 The rattrap peddler escaped into a big confusing forest and got lost.
 While resting on the ground he recollected his idea that the world is a rattrap and thought his end was near.
 Hearing a thumping sound he reached Ramsjo ironworks for a night shelter.
 The owner came on his nightly rounds and noticed the ragged wretch near the furnace.
 He took him as an old acquaintance ‘Nils Olof.’
 He invited him to stay with them for Christmas but the stranger declined the offer.
 His daughter Edla Willmansson persuaded to go home with him.
 She requested him to stay for Christmas Eve only.
 On his way to the Manor House the peddler thought that he had thrown himself into the lion’s den.
 The next day in broad day light the iron master realized the stranger was not captain and threatened to call the sheriff.
 Edla pleaded for him and asked him to stay back.
 Christmas Eve at Ramsjo was as usual and the stranger slept and slept.
 She made him understand that if he wanted rest and peace he would be welcome next Christmas also. This had a miraculous effect on him.
 Next morning they went for early church service leaving behind the guest who was asleep.
 They learnt at church that a rattrap peddler had robbed an old crofter.
 Edla becomes very upset.
 They reach home immediately and learn that the peddler had already left but had not taken anything at all with him. Instead, he had left a small packet
for the young girl as a Christmas present.
 She opens the packet and finds a rattrap, three wrinkled ten-Krona notes and also a letter with a request to return the Kroners to the crofter.
CHARACTERS
1. A tramp with rattraps. 4. Helpers in the Mill – 6. Edla Willmansson – daughter
2. A crofter blacksmiths of the Iron Mill owner.
3. Master Smith in the Ramsjo 5. Iron mill owner
Iron Mill in Sweden
JUSTIFICATION OF TITLE
“The Rattrap” is an appropriate title as it is the story of a rattrap peddler. The author has used the metaphor of a Rattrap to highlight the human
predicament. Just as a rat is fooled by bait and gets trapped, most human beings also fall into the trap of material benefits. The story revolves
around the incident of a man getting trapped due to his greed. Hence, the title is an apt one.
 THEME
The human beings are prone to fall into the trap of material benefits. It is the human tendency to redeem oneself from dishonest ways. Hence,
the whole world is called a big rattrap which tempts the people towards its materialistic benefits, and brings about their doom and never ending
predicament. It also highlights the themes like human loneliness, status and treatment meted out to have-nots and callous attitude of society
and government towards such people. One of the themes is that man is inherently good by nature. The society and environment make them
bad. Human goodness and kindness can bring about the change in their attitude.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The Rat Trap” written by Selma Lagerlof is a short story about an old disheartened beggar and thief who is taken in and shown generosity by a
young woman, her kindness changes his bitter attitude about life. The peddler is a man who has fallen upon misfortune and now resorts to
selling rattraps, begging, and thievery. He is very pessimistic about the world around him and sees the world as merely a “rat trap”. He believes
that society tempts us with riches and fine things, and when we accept, we are caught in the trap and are left with nothing. The warmth of
compassion extends its rays around the world, engraving mankind with its characteristic. Selma Legerlof supports the theory of compassion in
her modern day short story “The Rat Trap” which depicts the powerful and positive impacts of such care. In the story, cynicism grips the
protagonist rat trap peddler until the old man and the blacksmith’s daughter infect the protagonist with their altruism. Thus, the peddler’s inner
soul experiences a rapid transformation form an ugly duckling to a dazzling swan. Legerlof’s first scene of compassion is from the old man’s
hospitality. Despite the fact that he did not know the peddler, the old man still opened his arms and acted charitable by providing food and
shelter. This action is not typical in the today’s world; a majority of us would turn a blind eye. However, although the old man showed a sign of
compassion, it was not appreciated—the protagonist stole from the old man. As the peddler ponders on the road of guilt, he soon receives a
second action of care from a little girl. Compassion is illustrated when the blacksmith’s daughter takes pity on the protagonist. Although she
knew the fact that he was not Captain von Stahle, whom he claimed to be, the girl said, ” I think he ought to stay with us today. I don’t want him
to go.” The girl’s compassionate words cracked the foundation of the protagonist’s cynical world. Throughout the story, the protagonist only
believed in the dismal side of human nature, survival of the fittest, and viewed the world as a battlefield. His whole belief system was shattered
when he received the girl’s pity and an opportunity to enjoy his first “true” Christmas. Lagerlof’s “The Rat Trap” strongly validates the concept
that compassion revolves around humankind. She provides evidence when the old man and the blacksmith’s daughter show compassion
towards the protagonist. As a result, the girl acted as the North Star, guiding the protagonist out of the trap of cynicism. Another lesson the
mendicant learns throughout the course of the story is to be considerate of others. At the end of the novel, he makes amends with the old man
by returning his money and writing Edla a thank you note. He understands what he did to the man was wrong and that was not returning the
kindness and trust given to him. He apologized for lying to the girl and her father and leaves her a present, a rat trap and the stolen
money(thirty croner bills) of the old man to be returned.
MAIN POINTS
 ‘The Rattrap’ is a story that underlines the belief that essential goodness in human beings can be aroused through sympathy, understanding
and love.
 Once a man went around selling small rattraps but he took to begging and thievery to keep his body and soul together.
 One day he was struck with the idea – the whole world is a big rattrap and it offers riches as bait.
 People let themselves be tempted to touch the bait then it closes in on them bringing an end to everything.
 One dark evening the rattrap peddler sought shelter in an old crofter’s roadside cottage.
 The old man gave him food, tobacco they enjoyed the card game too.
 Next morning the peddler stole away his thirty kroners.
 The rattrap peddler escaped into a big confusing forest and got lost.
 While resting on the ground he recollected his idea that the world is a rattrap and thought his end was near.
 Hearing a thumping sound he reached Ramsjo ironworks for a night shelter.
 The owner came on his nightly rounds and noticed the ragged wretch near the furnace.
 He took him as an old acquaintance ‘Nils Olof.’
 He invited him to stay with them for Christmas but the stranger declined the offer.
 His daughter Edla Willmansson persuaded to go home with him.
 She requested him to stay for Christmas Eve only.
 On his way to the Manor House the peddler thought that he had thrown himself into the lion’s den.
 The next day in broad day light the iron master realized the stranger was not captain and threatened to call the sheriff.
 Edla pleaded for him and asked him to stay back.
 Christmas Eve at Ramsjo was as usual and the stranger slept and slept.
 She made him understand that if he wanted rest and peace he would be welcome next Christmas also. This had a miraculous effect on him.
 Next morning they went for early church service leaving behind the guest who was asleep.
 They learnt at church that a rattrap peddler had robbed an old crofter.
 Edla becomes very upset.
 They reach home immediately and learn that the peddler had already left but had not taken anything at all with him. Instead, he had left a
small packet for the young girl as a Christmas present.
 She opens the packet and finds a rattrap, three wrinkled ten-Krona notes and also a letter with a request to return the Kroners to the crofter.
BITS-
‘The Rattrap’ is a story that underlines the belief that essential goodness in human beings can be aroused through sympathy, understanding
and love.
 Once a man went around selling small rattraps but he took to begging and thievery to keep his body and soul together.
 One day he was struck with the idea – the whole world is a big rattrap and it offers riches as bait.
 People let themselves be tempted to touch the bait then it closes in on them bringing an end to everything.
 One dark evening the rattrap peddler sought shelter in an old crofter’s roadside cottage.
 The old man gave him food, tobacco they enjoyed the card game too.
 Next morning the peddler stole away his thirty kroners.
 The rattrap peddler escaped into a big confusing forest and got lost.
 While resting on the ground he recollected his idea that the world is a rattrap and thought his end was near.
 Hearing a thumping sound he reached Ramsjo ironworks for a night shelter.
 The owner came on his nightly rounds and noticed the ragged wretch near the furnace.
 He took him as an old acquaintance ‘Nils Olof.’
 He invited him to stay with them for Christmas but the stranger declined the offer.
 His daughter Edla Willmansson persuaded to go home with him.
 She requested him to stay for Christmas Eve only.
 On his way to the Manor House the peddler thought that he had thrown himself into the lion’s den.
 The next day in broad day light the iron master realized the stranger was not captain and threatened to call the sheriff.
 Edla pleaded for him and asked him to stay back.
 Christmas Eve at Ramsjo was as usual and the stranger slept and slept.
She made him understand that if he wanted rest and peace he would be welcome next Christmas also. This had a miraculous effect on him.
 Next morning they went for early church service leaving behind the guest who was asleep.
 They learnt at church that a rattrap peddler had robbed an old crofter.
 Edla becomes very upset.
 They reach home immediately and learn that the peddler had already left but had not taken anything at all with him. Instead, he had
left a small packet for the young girl as a Christmas present.
She opens the packet and finds a rattrap, three wrinkled ten- Kroners notes and also a letter with a request to return the Kroners to the crofter.
QUESTIONS 01
1From where did the peddler get the idea of this world being a rattrap?
2 Why was he amused by this idea?
3 Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter?
4 Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?
5 Why did he show the thirty kronor notes to the peddler?
6 Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?
7 What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?
8Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?
9 Why did the peddler decline the invitation?
10 What made the peddler accept Edla’s invitation?
11What doubts did Edla have about the peddler?
12 When did the ironmaster realize his mistake?
13 What did the peddler say in his defence when it was clear that he was not the person the ironmaster had thought that he was?
14Why did Edla still entertain the peddler even after she knew the truth about him?
15Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?
16 Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain Von Stahle?
17 How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by thecrofter, the ironmaster and his daughter?
18 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?
19 The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to others’ behaviour. Pick out instances of these surprises.
20 The story “The Rattrap” focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond with others. Comment.
‘The Rattrap’ tells us the story of a lonely peddler who has nothing and no one to call his own. He wanders from place to place mistreated and
mistrusted by the world.
21 The story is both entertaining and philosophical. Discuss
22.The reader’s sympathy is with the peddler right from the beginning of the story. Why this is so? Is the sympathy justified?
23. What made the peddler finally change his ways?
24. How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human predicament?
QUESTIONS 02
1. Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain Von Stahle?
2. How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the Crofter, the ironmaster, and his daughter?
3. Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain Von Stahle?
4. How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the Crofter, the ironmaster and his daughter?
5. Why does the peddler think that the whole world is a trap?
6. Why did the crofter allow the peddler to stay with him for the night?
7. Why did the peddler decline the ironmaster’s invitation?
8. What doubts did Edla have about the peddler?
9. What made the peddler accept Edla Willmanson’s invitation?
LONG QUESTIONS
1. What is the theme of the story ‘The Rattrap’ and how has it been developed? OR,
Kind words can change a devil into a saint. Justify on the basis of the lesson.
QUESTIONS 03
1. From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?
2. Why was he amused by this idea?
3. Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter?
4. Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?
 5. Why did he show the thirty kronor to the peddler?
6. Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?
7. What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?
8. Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?
9. Why did the peddler decline the invitation?
10. What made the peddler accept Edla Willmansson’s invitation?
11. What doubts did Edla have about the peddler?
12. When did the ironmaster realize his mistake?
13. What did the peddler say in his defence when it was clear that he was not the person the ironmaster had thought he was?
14. Why did Edla still entertain the peddler even after she knew the truth about him?
15. Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?
16. Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von Stable?
17. How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter’ the ironmaster’ and his daughter?
18. 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?
19. The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to others’ behaviour. Pick out instances of these surprises.
20. What made the peddler finally change his ways?
21. How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human predicament?
22. 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?
23. Discuss the following in groups of four. Each group can deaf with one topic and present the views of your group to the whole class.
The readers sympathy with the peddler right from the beginning of the story. Why is this so? Is the sympathy justified?
24. The story also focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond with others.
25. Have you known/heard of an episode where a good deed or an act of kindness has changed a persons view of the world?
26. The story is both entertaining and philosophical. Discuss.
27. 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?
28. You came across the words, plod, trudge, stagger in the story. These words indicate movement accompanied by weariness. Write
down five other words with a similar meaning.
29. 1. He made them himself at odd moments. 2. He raised himself. 3. He had let himself be fooled by a bait and had been caught. 4. … a
day may come when you yourself may want to get a big piece of
pork. Notice the way in which these reflexive pronouns have been used (pronoun+self) • In 1 and 4 the reflexive pronouns “himself”
and “yourself” are used to convey emphasis. • In 2 and 3 the reflexive pronoun is used in place of personal pronoun to signal that it
refers to the same subject in the sentence. Pick out other examples of the use of reflexive pronouns from the story and notice how
they are used.

Short Answer Type Questions 04

Q1. What did the rattrap seller think of the world?
Q2. How did the crofter behave with the peddler? Had he expected that much of hospitality?
Q3. What other business was the peddler engaged in?
Q4. How did he respond to the hospitality shown by the crofter?
Q5. Why did the peddler choose woods instead of public highway?
Q6. What did the peddler notice after running through the woods all the day? Could he escape?
Q7. What did the ironmaster mistake while inspecting his iron mill?
Q8. Why did the peddler forbid him to go to his home?