THE

RATTRAP
By Selma Lagerlöf

PEOPLE WITH PASSION CAN CHANGE THE

WORLD FOR BETTER
 About the Author

The Swedish author, Selma Ottilia Lovisa Lagerlöf (20 November 1858 - 16
March 1940), was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. Her
first novel, Gösta Berling's Saga, appeared at the age of 33. Furthermore,
she was the first woman to be awarded membership in the Swedish
Academy in 1914.She was born on the Mårbacka estate in Värmland
County, Sweden.
Selma trained as a teacher and began her career as an author as a side job,
while working at a Landskrona school. In 1895, she moved to Falun, where
she made a living solely from her writing. There, Selma Lagerlöf
accompanied her friend Sophie Elka. Her first novel, Gösta Berling's Saga, is
marked by a vivid imagination and influenced by stories from her home
region in Värmland County, Sweden.
 Selma Lagerlöf's style is distinguished by folklore, legends, and stories from
her native region. n on many long journeys around Europe. Despite this,
Selma Lagerlöf's works provide a realistic depiction of people's
circumstances, ideas, and social lives during the 19th-century religious
revival. Her stories are characterized by a captivating descriptive power and
their language by simplicity and clarity.
 Setting of the story
This story is set in the middle of the mines of Sweden which are rich in
iron ore. The story is narrated in the manner of a fairy tale.

Theme of the story

The theme of the story is that most human beings are prone to fall
into the trap of material benefit. However, every human being has an
essential goodness that can be awakened through understanding and
love. A human being has the tendency to redeem himself in dishonest
ways. This story conveys a universal message that the essential
goodness in a human being can be awakened through love, respect,
kindness and understanding. It highlights the human predicament.

Summary
The Rattrap summary is about a man who is a peddler. He has a
pessimistic attitude towards the world. The peddler has not always
been like this and was a fine man before. However, due to misfortune,
he now resorts to selling rattraps, begging and even stealing to survive.

Moreover, he also views the world as a big rat trap. He believes that
much similar to the cheese we put for mice; the world offers us
materialistic things to lure us. So, when we fall for these things, it traps
us and takes everything away from us. In this story, a young generous
woman takes in the rattrap seller. Thus, the generosity and kindness
she shows changes his pessimistic take on life. This story teaches us
about the essential human goodness we all must possess.
 Characters

1.Rattrap Peddler

2.Crofter

3.Blacksmith

4. Apprentice

5.Ironmaster

6.Edla

7.Valet

8.Church parson

9.Church people-3

10.Rats-3
 Script

Scene-1: -
(Once upon a time, there was a man who walked around selling small
rattraps of wire. He made the rattraps by begging in the stores or on large
farms. As his business wasn’t profitable, he indulged in both begging and
robbery. One day, he started thinking about the plight he faces....)

Rattrap Peddler: In the whole world around me-the whole world with its
lands
and seas, its cities and villages are nothing but a rattrap. It had never
existed for any other purpose than to tempt the people.
It offers riches and joys, shelter and food, heat and
clothing exactly as the rattrap offers cheese and
pork and as soon as anyone let himself be tempted
to touch the bait; it closes in on him and then everything
comes to an end.

Scene -2: -
(The rattrap peddler sees a grey cottage on the roadside
. He walks to the cottage and knocks at the door)

Rattrap peddler: Sir, Can I please stay at your place for

the night? I am a petty rattrap peddler and have to
keep wandering to sell my rat traps.

Crofter: It would be my pleasure. Please come in.

(They both go inside the cottage)

Crofter: I am an old man without a wife or child. It's nice to have someone
to talk to in this lonely time.
(The crofter gives porridge pot; thick slice of tobacco rolls to the rattrap
peddler)

Crofter: Do you play mjolis ?

Rattrap peddler: - yes, I do…I am an
expert at it. (playing)

(There were two rats who used to stay

at the Crofter’s house who was sisters,
they are playing hide and seek in
the old crofter’s cottage and when
they hear a new voice, they hide
themselves to see who the guest is...)

How do you manage your time sir?

Crofter: I was working in the Ramsjo Ironworks as a crofter, but due to my

age I was unable to do the day labor. Now it is my cow that supports me. Yes,
that bossy is extraordinary. She could give milk to the creamery every day
and last month I received all of thirty kronor in payment for providing milk.

(Another rat is now entering the cottage)

[The old man gets up and withdraws the leather pouch hanging from the
iron nail in the next window frame and takes out three 10 kronor bills. He
puts the money back into the pouch and settles down to sleep....]

Rat 2: Do you think the man in rags would steal the money?

Rat 1: Well... I don’t think that he would steal the money because the old
crofter helped him. He cannot betray someone like him.

(Rat 3 interrupts them...)

Rat 3: but I don’t think the way you do. The rattrap would definitely run off
with the money.

Rat 2: I agree with you (to rat 3)

Rat 1 (annoyed): No, you’re wrong. The man would think about the crofter.

Rat 3: No, he wouldn’t...Didn’t you see the way he was looking at the
human currency? First of all, you don’t know anything about the world
outside.

Rat 2: Yes, that’s true. You have been staying in different places and you’re
currently staying in a big mansion

Rat 1: I atleast have a permanent place to live...not like you wandering

place to place in search of shelter.

Rat 3: How dare you say this! (He pounces on rat 1...and they fight with
each other)

After some time....

Rat 2: Oh, please stop fighting. If that is so, keep a bet between yourselves
and the person who loses should give away their share of cheese for a
day to the winner.

(Both the rats agree and the rat 3 leaves away)

Scene-3: -
(The next day...)

Crofter: I am sorry, but I

have to hurry to milch
my cow.

Rattrap Peddler: Oh,

that's ok. I too shall take
your leave. Thank you
for letting me stay at your
place.

Have a good day sir! Bye.

(They go their separate ways)

(The Rattrap peddler returns to the same place after ½ an hour. He walks to
the window, picks up the leather bag and takes out the three ten kronor
notes from the bag and replaces the bag at its place. The two rats jump into
the bag of the rattrap peddler. The rattrap peddler moves away from the
cottage)

Scene-4: -
(Rattrap peddler walking on highway and he is very happy about his
smartness)

Rattrap peddler: I must say that I’m really very smart. The crofter would
never have imagined that his guest for a night would take his earnings away
from him.

(Rattrap peddler thinking)

Should I go through the

highway or through the
forest? If I go through the
highway, the cops might get
hold of me so it would be
better to go through the
forest…so that no one would
be able to see me.

(Rattrap peddler enters the

jungle. The first few hours
seem smooth, but later it
gets difficult, for it is a very dense forest. He tried to walk in a definite
direction, but the paths twisted back and forth strangely.
I have been walking for hours but I have not reached the other end of the
forest (observes the forest) Ah! It seems that I have been walking around in
the same part of the forest!
(He recalls his thoughts about the world and the rattrap)
Now I realize that it is my turn. I have let myself be fooled by the bait and
got caught. The whole forest, with its trunks and branches, its groves and
fallen logs, closes in upon me like an impenetrable prison from which I can
never escape. (A dark cloud descends over the forest, increasing the danger
and further adding to the Rattrap peddler's gloom. Finally, he sees no way
out, so he sinks to the ground, tired to death. Just as he lays his head on the
ground, he hears a sound.)

Rattrap peddler: What is that

sound? It sounds like a hammer
strikes coming from iron mills.
There must be people nearby. I
must summon all my strength
and go to the mill; else I may not
be able to see the sun next
morning.

Scene 5: -
(With much difficulty the Rattrap
peddler reaches the mill.
The Ramsjo Ironworks, which are now closed down, were, not so long ago, a
large plant, with smelter, rolling mill, and forge. In the summertime long
lines of heavily loaded barges and scows slid down the canal, which led to a
large inland lake, and in the wintertime the roads near the mill were black
from all the coal dust which sifted down from the big charcoal crates.)

Blacksmith: Go and
check whether the pig
iron has melted down.

Helper (stirring the

molten iron): No, it is
not ready yet.
After a few minutes…

Blacksmith: I will check if it’s

ready

(He walks to the iron and

stirs and after a few seconds
returns back as he is unable
to bear the heat)

(All the time there is

cacophony in the forge. The
big bellows groan and
the burning coal cracks. The fire boy shovels charcoal into the maw of the
furnace with a great deal of clatter. Outside roars the waterfall, and a sharp
north wind whips the rain against the brick-tiled roof)

(It was due to these sounds that the blacksmith didn’t realize that a man
had opened the gate of the forge and had entered, till he came and stood
near the furnace.)

Rattrap peddler: Sir, may I stay here for tonight?

(The Blacksmith nods his head to consent...the Rattrap peddler doesn’t talk
anything as he has not come there to talk but only to warm himself and
sleep)

Helper: It is not unusual for the poor vagrants without shelter at night to be
attracted by the lights of the forge through the black powder of burnt coal
that coats the window panes. These people seek shelter here to warm
themselves.

Blacksmith: We have already become accustomed to them, so it doesn't

bother us. Let us now concentrate on our work. The ironmaster would be
here anytime to inspect our work.

Helper: Why does the master come here every night for inspection?
Blacksmith: The owner of the Ramsjo
Iron Mill is a very ambitious person
whose aim is to sell only the finest
iron on the market. Therefore, he
keeps a check on the workers both
during the night and the day.

(The master comes for the night

inspection and sees the tall ragamuffin
who eased his way so close to the furnace that steam rose from his wet
rags. The ironmaster walks close up to him, looks at him very carefully, then
tears off his slouch hat to get a better view of his face.)
Ironmaster: Of course, it's you,
Nils Olof! How you do look!
(The man with the rattraps had
never before seen the
ironmaster at Ramsjo and did
not even know what his name
was. But it occurs to him that if
the fine gentleman thinks that
he is an old acquaintance, he
might perhaps throw him a
couple of kronor, hence he
does not want to deceive him
at once)

Rattrap peddler: Yes. God knows things have gone downhill with me.

Ironmaster: You should not have resigned from the regiment. That was the
mistake. If only I had been in the service at the time, it never would have
happened. Well, now of course you will come home with me.

(To walk up along the manor house and be received by the owner like an old
regimental comrade–however did not please the tramp)

Rattrap peddler: no, I couldn’t think of it!

(Rattrap peddler thinking)

(Rattrap peddler’s mind

voice-To walk to the manor
would be like voluntarily
entering the lion's den.
I only want a chance to
sleep here in the forge and
then sneak away as
inconspicuously as possible.)

(The ironmaster assumes that he feels embarrassed because of his

miserable clothing)

Ironmaster: Please don’t think that I have such a fine home that you
cannot show yourself there. Elizabeth is dead, as you may have already
heard. My boys are abroad and there is no one at home except my
oldest daughter and myself. We were just saying that it was too bad as
we didn’t have any company for Christmas. Now come along with me and
help us make the Christmas food disappear a little faster.

Rattrap peddler: Please sir, let me stay here, not at your lavish manor.

(Ironmaster turning towards the blacksmith)

Ironmaster: It looks as though Captain von Stahle prefers to stay with you
tonight, Stjernstrom.

(The Ironmaster laughs to himself as he walks away and the blacksmith

understands it very well as he doesn’t say his last word.)

Scene-6: -
(A half hour later, they hear a carriage wheel outside the forge and a new
guest comes into the forge, but this time it wasn't the ironmaster.
He had sent his daughter, apparently hoping she would be more persuasive
than he was. She enters followed by a valet, carrying on his arm a thick fur
coat. She is not at all pretty but seems to be modest and quite shy.
Everything in the forge was just as it had been earlier in the evening. The
master blacksmith and his apprentice still sit on their benches and iron and
charcoal still glows in the
furnace. The stranger
stretched himself out on
the floor and lay with a
piece of pig iron under
his head and his hat
pulled down over his
eyes. The girl catches
sight of him, she walks
up and lifts his hat. He
jumps abruptly and seems to be quite frightened.)

Edla: -My name is Edla Willmansson. My father came home and said that
you wanted to sleep here in the forge tonight, and then I asked permission
to come and bring you home to us. I am so sorry, Captain, that you are
having such a hard time.

(Thinking to herself)

Edla’s mind voice: This man looks frightened. Either he has stolen
something or else he has escaped from jail.

(Looking at the man)

You may be sure, captain, that you will be allowed to leave us just as freely
as you come. Only please stay with us over Christmas eve.

(She says it in such a friendly manner that the rattrap peddler feels
confidence in her)
Rattrap Peddler: It would
never have occurred to me that
you would bother with me
yourself, miss. I will come at
once.

(He accepts the fur coat with a

deep bow, puts it over his rags and follows the lady)

(Thinks to himself while heading over to the manor)

Rattrap peddler’s mind voice: Why the devil did I take that fellow’s money?
Now I am stuck in a trap from which I cannot escape.

SCENE 7: -
(The next day is Christmas eve, and the ironmaster comes to the dining
room for breakfast and thinks about his old regimental comrade whom he
had run across so unexpectedly.)

(Looking at his daughter)

Ironmaster: First of all we must see to it that he gets a layer of flesh on his
bones. And then we must see that he gets something else to do than to run
around the country selling rattraps.

Edla: It is strange that things have gone downhill with him as badly as that.
Last night, I didn't see anything that indicated that he was once an educated
man.

Ironmaster: You must have patience, my little girl. 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 along
with the tramp clothes.

Ironmaster: - Hey mister come here.

(The valet comes there.)
Ironmaster: Take my suit from my wardrobe and take my trimmer as well
and help my friend to get ready and put his dirty clothes in the trash.

(The valet turns...)

Remember that he should look like he was when he was a captain

Valet: Look at my fate! Now these have come I have to work for a beggar.
Sometimes I really feel like quitting this job. This man makes me do all kinds
of weird things. (blabbering)

Ironmaster: Did you say something?

Valet: No sir.

Ironmaster: No I heard you say something.

Valet: There is nothing for you to know...I was just recalling all the work that I
ought to do.

(The valet takes the suit and trimmer to the guest room...And finds the
rattrap peddler roaming around the rooms and takes)

Valet: Hey! Don’t you dare touch any of these things. Do you know how
expensive they are? Even if you roam around the world selling rattraps your
whole life you won’t be able to repay its expenses

(The rattrap peddler keeps it back in its place...and the valet remembers
what his master had told him)

Valet (giving the towel and trimmer): Now go and remove all those ugly
hairs.

(The rattrap had never seen a trimmer before and he stares at it...He
hesitates to ask the valet about it.)
(The valet wonders what is he doing and he knocks the door but the rattrap
peddler just stares at him and the valet understands and helps him the
valet had baths him, cut his hair and shaves his beard. the valet removes
the things of the rattrap peddler and keeps in the storeroom. Now the
two rats come out and they move away from there)

Rat 2: See what has happened! We both were

right about the man...First he cheated the
crofter and now the master and his daughter.

(The rat 1 does not open his mouth....)

Scene: - 8
(Just then the door opens and the stranger
enters. He was now truly clean and well dressed.... He is dressed in a good-
looking suit of clothes which belongs to the ironmaster. He wears a white
shirt and a starched collar and whole shoes.)

(The ironmaster does not seem to be pleased. He looks at him with a

puckered brow and it is easy to understand that when he had seen the
strange fellow in the uncertain reflection from the furnace, he might have
made a mistake, but that now, when he is standing in broad daylight; it is
impossible for him to mistake him for an old acquaintance.)

Ironmaster: What does this mean?

(The stranger makes no attempt to dissimulate. He understands that the

splendor has come to an end)

Rattrap peddler: It is not my fault sir. I never pretended to be anything but a

poor trader and I pleaded and begged to be allowed to stay in the forge.
But no harm has been done. In the worst-case scenario, I can put on my
rags and leave.
Ironmaster: Well, it was not quite honest of you either. You must admit that,
and I should not be surprised if the sheriff would like to have something to
say in the matter.

(The tramp takes a step forward and strikes the table with his fist)

Rattrap peddler: Now

I am going to tell you,
Mr. Ironmaster, how
things are. This whole
world is nothing but a
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 this, then you, Mr. Ironmaster,
you must remember that a day may come when you yourself may want to
get a big piece of pork and then you will get caught in the trap.

(Ironmaster begins to laugh)

Ironmaster: That was not so badly said, my good fellow. Perhaps we should
leave the sheriff alone on Christmas eve. But now get out of here as soon as
you can.

(The man opens the door to leave)

Edla: I think he ought to stay with us today. I don’t want him to go. (She
closes the door)

Ironmaster: What in the world are you doing?

(The daughter stands there in a quite embarrassed way and does not open
her mouth. She had felt so happy that morning when she thought how
homelike and Christmassy, she was planning to make things for the poor
hungry wretch. She could not get away from the idea at once and that is
why she had interceded.)

Edla: I am thinking of this stranger here. He walks and walks the whole year
long and there is probably not a single place in the whole country where he
is welcome and can feel at home. Wherever he turns, he is chased away.
Afraid of being arrested and cross-examined, he is always on guard. I would
like to have him enjoy a day of peace with us here-just one in the whole
year.

(Ironmaster mumbles something in his beard. He could not bring himself

to oppose her)

It was all a mistake, of course. But anyway, I don’t think we ought to chase
away a human being whom we have asked to come here, and to whom we
have promised Christmas cheer.

Ironmaster: you do preach worse than a parson. I only hope you won’t
regret this.

(Girl takes the stranger by hand and leads him up to the table)

Edla: now sit down and eat.

(The man with rattraps does not opens his mouth, he sits down and helps
himself to the food. Time after time he looks at the young girl who had
interceded for him.)

Rattrap Peddler’s mind voice: Why had she done it? What could the crazy
idea be?

(Christmas Eve at Ramsjo passes as it always does. The stranger does not
cause any trouble because he does nothing but he just sleeps. The whole
afternoon he lies on the sofa and dozes off at one stretch. They wake him
up at noon so he can eat some of the delicious Christmas fare, but
afterwards he dozes again. It seemed as if he had not had a peaceful night's
sleep in many years.)

(In the evening the Christmas tree is lit and they wake him up again and he
stands for a while in the drawing room blinks as though the candlelight is
hurting him, but after that he disappears again. Two hours later, he is
aroused once more, to go down into the dining room and eat the Christmas
fish and porridge. As soon as they get up from the table, he walks around to
each one present and says thank you and good night.)

Rattrap peddler: Thank you and good night, miss.

Edla: Thank you and good night to you too. It is my father’s intention that
the suit which you are wearing is to be a Christmas present-you do not have
to return it. And if you want to spend the next Christmas eve in a place
where you could rest in peace and be sure that no evil would befall you, you
would be welcomed back again.

(The man with the rattraps does not answer anything to this. He only stares
at the young girl in boundless amazement)

Scene 8: -
(The rat 3 sees these two rats and starts enquiring them)
Rat 3: hey! What are you both doing here?
Rat 2: We came with the rattrap peddler; you know he took the money from
the leather bag and ran away and we jumped inside and we reached here.
What are you doing here?

Rat 3: I live here silly. Let’s leave that anyway I have won in the bet. Let me
know when I get my share of cheese.

(Rat 2 looks at rat 1 and rat 1 remains quiet)

Scene-9: -
(The next day both Edla and Ironmaster leave for the church for Christmas
service. They don’t disturb the Rattrap peddler as he is fast asleep)

(At church, they hear some people talking)

People 1: Hey! Do you know what was going on in the nearby village the day
before? There has been a robbery in the old crofter’s cottage.

People 2: Are you talking about the old crofter who worked in the Ramsjo
ironworks?

People 1: Yes. He had saved 30 kronors from his last month…He has been
robbed by a person who goes around selling rat traps.

People 3: Did the cops catch him?

People 1: no. He has not been caught yet…he knew that if he had taken the
highway path, he would get caught so he had escaped into the woods.
(The Ironmaster and Edla are left dumbstruck as they realize the stranger
who is staying in the house is a thief)

Ironmaster (angrily): Come on let’s go home as soon as possible as you have

let a fine fellow into the house…I just wonder how many silver spoons are
left in the cupboard by this time.

Scene10: -
(In the meantime, the rattrap peddler decides to move from the house he
gets ready and searches for the valet)

Rattrap Peddler: Thank you for taking care of me sir. I will be indebted to
you for my whole life. I have never met such kind people and had such a
good feast during Christmas Eve in my whole life. I would like to thank you
again sir.

Valet: I am really sorry for the way I have treated you...I have been injustice
to you.

Rattrap Peddler: No sir...I got what I deserved (And he narrates the

complete incident which happened in the crofter’s house)
Sir, if possible, could you please give this present to Ms.Willmansson?

(The 3 rats observe this from the corner and the rats leave for Storey room)
Valet: Sure, I would definitely give this to the mistress.

(The rattrap peddler gives the present and leaves)

(The rats reach the Storey room and they start arguing.)

Rat 1: As I said the rattrap peddler didn’t take the money, he realized that
he has made a mistake then it means you have lost the bet. So now it's
better to give me my share of cheese.

Rat 3: Hey What are you speaking now? We had a bet whether the Rattrap
peddler would steal the money or not. And he even stole it and now how
can you day that you have won the bet? I have won this bet.
Rat 1: How can you win this bet when he has returned the money back? I
have won this bet.

Rat 3: I have won this bet.

Rat 3(angrily): me

Rat 1: me

(These two rats fight with each other and the valet notices these three
rats...He picks them, throws them out of the house and he turns to open
the door. The chauffeur barely stops the car in front of their house and
Ironmaster rushes towards the door)

Ironmaster (angrily): Where

is that man? He is a thief.
An old crofter who had
worked in an iron mill has
been robbed by him… did
he take anything while
leaving?

Servant: He has left sir

but he didn’t take anything
with him and he has made a request to Ms. Willmansson.

Ironmaster: What request?

Servant: He has left behind a package which Ms. Willmansson would be kind
enough to accept as a Christmas present.

(The young girl opens the package which is so badly done that the contents
come into view at once. She gives a brief cry of joy. She finds a small rattrap
and in it lay three wrinkled ten kronor notes. But that is not all. In the
rattrap lay also a letter in large, jagged characters that Edla reads aloud).
Edla (reading the letter) :

Honored and noble Miss,

Since you have been so nice to me all day long,
as
If I was a captain, I would want to be nice to
you, in
return, as if I was a real captain-for I do not
want you to be embarrassed at this Christmas
season by a thief; but you can give back the
money to the old man on the roadside, who has
the money pouch hanging on the window frame
as a bait for poor wanderers. The rattrap is a
Christmas present from a rat who would have
been caught in this world’s rattrap if he had not
been raised to captain, because in that way he
got power to clear himself.
Written with friendship
And high regard,
“Captain von Stahle”
 Conclusion

Overall, we learn from The Rattrap that we can change the world through
kindness and compassion; besides, we learn that materialistic things do not
serve to bring inner joy, but love and respect do.