CBSE Class 12 English HOTs The Rattrap Set 02

Think as you Read 

Question. From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap? Or In what sense was the world a big rattrap, according to the peddler? Or Explain the metaphor of ‘The Rattrap’ as explained by the peddler. II Or Explain the metaphor of the rattrap. 
Answer: The peddler was a vagabond who went around selling rattraps made by him. One day, as he was just thinking about his own rattraps, he was struck by the idea that the world was a big rattrap. In this rattrap, riches, food, joys and shelter served as baits to tempt people, just like a rattrap offered cheese or meat to tempt rats. As soon as one was tempted to touch the bait, the rattrap closed and everything came to an end.

Question. Why was he amused by this idea?
Answer: Wherever the peddler went, people were hostile to him and chased him away. So, he was amused by the idea of the world being a big rattrap. He was also happy that those who chased him away would also be tempted and caught up in the rattrap one day.

Question. Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter? Or Why was the peddler surprised when he knocked on the door of the cottage?
Answer: No, the peddler did not expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter. Wherever the peddler went, people were hostile to him and chased him away. So, he was surprised when he knocked on the door of the cottage and the crofter welcomed him and also gave him food and shelter.

Question. Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?
Answer: The crofter was talkative and friendly with the peddler because he was an old man with no wife or children and lived alone in his cottage. He was happy to get someone to talk to and share his feelings with. So, he welcomed the peddler, gave him food and even played a game of cards with him.

Question. Why did he show the thirty kronor to the peddler?
Answer: The crofter showed the thirty kronor to the peddler because he felt proud that he had earned this money from selling the cow’s milk to the creamery. Further, he thought that the stranger didn’t believe him, so he showed him the money.

Question. Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?
Answer: No, the peddler didn’t respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter. The crofter had showed him the thirty kronor which he had earned and where it was kept in a pouch near a window. The next day, when the crofter had gone out to deliver the cow’s milk to the creamery, the peddler came back, broke the window pane and stole the thirty kronor from the pouch which was kept near the window.

Think as you Read 

Question. What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap? 
Answer: After stealing the crofter’s money, the peddler went into the woods because of the fear of getting identified and caught on the public highway. It was a big and confusing forest, and the peddler lost his way in it. Suddenly, he realised that he himself had fallen into a rattrap. He thought that the forest was a big rattrap and the thirty kronor were like a bait which had been set to tempt him. He had allowed himself to be fooled and so, was caught in the rattrap.

Question. Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?
Answer: The ironmaster, the owner of the Ramsjö Ironworks, spoke kindly to the peddler and invited him home because he mistook the peddler for his old regimental comrade, Nils Olof, who had fallen on evil days.

Question. Why did the peddler decline the invitation? Or Why was the peddler hesitant to accompany the ironmaster to the manor house?
Answer: The peddler declined the invitation of the ironmaster because he was carrying the crofter’s money which he had stolen. He thought that he would be handed over to the police if the ironmaster discovered the theft.

Think as you Read 

Question. What made the peddler accept Edla Willmansson’s invitation? 
Answer: Edla Willmansson’s kindness made the peddler feel that he could trust her and this made him accept her invitation. Edla talked to him compassionately assuring him that no harm would come to him and that he would be at liberty to leave whenever he wanted.

Question. What doubts did Edla have about the peddler?
Answer: When Edla met the peddler, he became afraid. This made Edla doubtful of the peddler and his identity. She thought that either he had stolen something or he had escaped from jail. Later, she even told her father that there was nothing about him which shows that he was once an educated man.

Question. When did the ironmaster realise his mistake?
Answer: The ironmaster realised his mistake the next day when he saw the peddler in broad daylight with a fine haircut and a well-shaven face. When the ironmaster had first seen the peddler in the dim light from the furnace, he had mistaken him for an old colleague. Now, he realised that this man was somebody else.

Question. What did the peddler say in his defence when it was clear that he was not the person the ironmaster had thought he was? Or The iron master accuses the peddler of not being quite honest. What does the peddler say to justify the situation? 
Answer: In his defence, the peddler told the ironmaster that he had never pretended that he was the ironmaster’s friend. He made no further efforts to deceive the ironmaster. He said that it was not his fault as he had begged to be allowed to stay on at the mill for the night. He had even declined the ironmaster’s repeated invitation. He further said that he was ready to put on his rags again and go away.

Question. Why did Edla still entertain the peddler even after she knew the truth about him? Or Why did Edla plead with her father not to send the vagabond away?
Answer: Edla still entertained the peddler even after she knew the truth about him as it was Christmas Eve and Edla wanted to keep the spirit of Christmas by providing him with a day of comfort and solace. She justified it as they had invited him against his will. So, she pleaded with her father not to send the vagabond away.

Think as you Read 

Question. Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?
Answer: Edla was happy to see the gift left by the peddler because it was unexpected. Earlier, Edla was shocked to learn that their guest was actually a thief. She had pleaded with her father to let the peddler stay. She held herself responsible for offering shelter to a thief. But when she found the stolen thirty kronor in a rattrap, she was overjoyed to understand that her kindness and compassion had changed the peddler and brought out his essential goodness.

Question. Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain Von Stahle? 
Answer: The peddler signed himself as Captain Von Stahle because he had been treated at the ironmaster’s home like a real captain despite of knowing about his real identity. He wanted to repay Edla for her kindness just as a real captain would have done. It was an indication that he wanted to retain the dignity and respect accorded to him.

Understanding the Text 

Question. How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter, the ironmaster and his daughter?
Answer: The peddler interpreted the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter, the ironmaster and his daughter in different ways. Initially, the peddler is shocked by the crofter’s hospitality but later, he heartily accepts the generosity. However, this hospitality does not change him. He robs the crofter of his hard-earned money just because it was easy to do so. With the ironmaster, the peddler is cautious. When the ironmaster mistakes him to be his old regimental comrade, the peddler does not disclose his true identity in the hope of getting a few kronor. However, when the ironmaster invites him home, he rejects it persistently. The change in the peddler comes with Edla. Upon Edla’s request, the peddler goes to the ironmaster’s home. Edla’s warmth, sympathy and hospitality transforms him in the end. She elevates him to the status of a captain, which makes him redeem himself from being a petty thief. It stirs the innate goodness of his heart. He no more feels trapped but regards her kindness as an act of nobility.

Question. 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? Or Give examples from the story, ‘The Rattrap’ to show how the ironmaster is different from his daughter. Or Edla is a contrast to her father, the ironmaster. Explain. 
Answer: The father-daughter duo, the ironmaster and Edla are different people with very different personalities. The ironmaster was a man of power and ambition. He was so hardworking, disciplined and sober that he did rounds in his mills to make sure that everything was working properly. But he was also impulsive and completely non-persuasive. He invited the peddler home without confirming his identity and even when the peddle refused, he sent his daughter to convince the latter to come to his home. The ironmaster is also a realist. He is practical and morally strict. As soon as he sees the peddler’s true identity, he orders him to leave. While he does not show any softness with the peddler, he does so with his daughter whose wishes he accepts. On the other hand, Edla, the ironmaster’s daughter, was a kind and compassionate lady who was really sympathetic and considerate towards the peddler right from the beginning. She is observant and suspicious of the peddler’s identity. She treated him with respect and dignity even after knowing that was not a captain. It was her generous attitude which finally changed the peddler, bringing out the essential goodness of his nature.

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

• The old crofter welcomes the tramp for shelter and food at night. He even reposes his trust in him by showing him the money and the place where it was kept. The peddler’s act of stealing the crofter’s hard-earned thirty kronor is unexpected.
• The peddler seeks refuge in the forge, meets the ironmaster and the latter mistakes him to be his old regimental comrade. His invitation to the tramp to come for Christmas Eve to the manor house leaves one astounded.
• The peddler’s act of accepting Edla’s invitation, in spite of his guilt about the stolen money and thoughts about entering the lion’s den, is surprising.
• When the peddler, left to himself in the manor house, has every opportunity to slip out with the valuables, he does not do so. Even the ironmaster expects something like this to happen. However, the peddler goes away, leaving behind a small rattrap as a Christmas gift and the thirty kronor he had stolen to be returned to the rightful owner. This is also unexpected.
• The peddler’s letter addressed to Edla, expressing his gratitude for elevating him to the status of captain, giving him a chance to free himself from the rattrap of the world and redeeming him, also gives us a pleasant surprise.

Thus, the story is replete with instances of unexpected reactions and surprises.

Question. What made the peddler finally change his ways?
Answer: Edla’s kindness, compassion and caring behaviour finally made the peddler change his ways. The peddler believed in giving back to the world what he received from it. He was always treated with contempt and hostility and so he never did anything good. However, as Edla had treated him with the love and respect befitting a captain when she knew that he was a poor vagabond, he decided to change his ways and live with dignity and respect.

Question. How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human predicament?
Answer: The peddler, in the course of his wandering, suddenly thinks about the whole world as a big rattrap. Just as cheese and meat are baits in the rattrap, similarly the riches, joy, shelter and food that the world offers are baits to entrap and ensnare people. Being an embittered man, shunned by everybody, these thoughts give ‘unwonted joy’ to the tramp. He thinks of all the people around him who have fallen into the trap. The musings of the tramp do have an iota of truth in them. We are tempted by temptations, desires and needs. We go all out to satisfy them. In this desire to amass and accumulate more and more, we are entrapped by the world. Just in case we do not get the things we want, we are plunged into despair and gloom. In this way, the metaphor of the rattrap highlights the human predicament.

Question. 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?
Answer: It is true to say that the peddler comes out as a person with a subtle sense of humour. His humour is derived from his circumstances and makes us realise the various serious themes of the story. The peddler, with his subtle sense of humour, equates the rattraps he makes to the world, which he believes is a huge rattrap offering baits like comfort, food, shelter and material benefits. One day the rattrap traps us and there is no way out. His humour is further revealed during his interactions with the ironmaster and his daughter after the truth about him becomes known. He is neither afraid of being turned out in cold in rags nor of being sent to prison. He makes the ironmaster laugh with his metaphor of the rattrap. This philosophy of the rattrap point us to the concept of obsession over material gains that drives human actions.

Extract Based Questions

Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.

“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 tempted to touch the bait, it closed in on him, and then everything came to an end. The world had, of course, never been very kind to him, so it gave him unwanted joy to think ill of it in this way.”

Question. How will the peddler describe the world?
Answer: The peddler described the world as unjust and hostile because it had never been kind to him.

Question. Select the correct option from those given in bracket to fill in the blank.
The peddler developed his philosophy while he was _________ (working/walking) along the road.
Answer: walking

Question. Complete the sentence with an appropriate explanation, as per the extract.
The peddler said that the world was not very kind to him because _________ .
Answer: he was a poor rattrap seller. He wore rags, had sunken cheeks and overall looked very dirty.

Question. How had the peddler come across the philosophy elucidated in the given extract?
Answer: The peddler had come up with the world being a rattrap while sitting and thinking about his own rattraps.

Question. Select the option that matches the reference to ‘riches and joys, shelter and food’.
(a) Deceit
(b) Temptation
(c) Materialism
(d) Luxury
Answer: (b) Temptation

Question. The given extract does not talk about
(a) how people treated the peddler
(b) the philosophy of the rattrap seller
(c) the characteristics of the peddler
(d) the monotony of peddler’s life
Answer: (b) the philosophy of the rattrap seller

As he walked along with the money in his pocket he felt quite pleased with his smartness. He realised, of course that at first he dared not continue on the public highway, but must turn off the road, into the woods. During the first hours this caused him no difficulty. Later in the day it became worse, for it was a big and confusing forest which he had gotten into. He tried, to be sure, to walk in a definite direction, but the paths twisted back and forth so strangely! He walked and walked without coming to the end of the wood, and finally he realised that he had only been walking around in the same part of the forest. All at once he recalled his thoughts about the world and the rattrap. Now his own turn had come.

Question. How would you judge the rattrap seller’s being pleased with his smartness?
Answer: As a reader, I feel disgusted by the fact that rattrap seller was pleased with his smartness in stealing someone’s hard earned money. Further, the fact that he had broken the trust and faith shown to him by the crofter, intensifies the feelings of disgust.

Question. Select the correct option from those given in brackets to fill in the blank.
All at once he recalled his thoughts about the world and the rattrap. This expression indicates _________ (suddenness/anxiety).
Answer: suddenness

Question. Complete the sentence appropriately.
The rattrap seller did not stay on the public highway because _________ .
Answer: he feared that he would be identified as the thief and caught by the police

Question. ‘Now his own turn had come.’ What statement reflects this?
(a) He had become confused in the forest.
(b) He had been feeling guilty of what he has done.
(c) He had fallen prey to the rattrap.
(d) He had become a criminal.
Answer: (c) He had fallen prey to the rattrap.

Question. Why did the narrator feel quite pleased?
(a) For his smartness resulting in his favour
(b) For deceiving his ownself
(c) For befooling his friends
(d) For robbery in the supermarket
Answer: (a) For his smartness resulting in his favour

Question. On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below.
I. The Peddler was scared of the police.
II. The Peddler had recently committed a theft.
(a) I can be inferred from the extract but II cannot.
(b) I cannot be inferred from the extract but II can.
(c) I is true but II is false
(d) II is the reason for I.
Answer: (d) II is the reason for I.