FLAMINGO – THE RATTRAP - SELMA LAGERLOF
Characters: 1. A tramp with rattraps, 2. A crofter, 3. Master Smith in the Ramsjo Iron Mill in Sweden, 4. Helpers in the Mill – blacksmiths, 5. Iron mill owner, 6. Edla Willmansson – daughter of the Iron Mill owner.
The 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.
Main Points: 1) „The Rattrap‟ is a story that underlines the belief that essential goodness in human beings can be aroused through sympathy, understanding and love. 2) Once a man went around selling small rattraps but he took to begging and thievery to keep his body and soul together. 3) One day he was struck with the idea – the whole world is a big rattrap and it offers riches as bait. 4) People let themselves be tempted to touch the bait then it closes in on them bringing an end to everything. 5) One dark evening the rattrap peddler sought shelter in an old crofter‟s roadside cottage. 6) The old man gave him food, tobacco they enjoyed the card game too. 7) Next morning the peddler stole away his thirty kroners. 8) The rattrap peddler escaped into a big confusing forest and got lost. 9) While resting on the ground he recollected his idea that the world is a rattrap and thought his end was near. 10) Hearing a thumping sound he reached Ramsjo ironworks for a night shelter. 11) The owner came on his nightly rounds and noticed the ragged wretch near the furnace. 13) He took him as an old acquaintance „Nils O lof.‟ 14) He invited him to stay with the ir friends
for Christmas but the stranger declined the offer. 15) His daughter Edla Willmansson persuaded to go home with him. 16) She requested him to stay for Christmas Eve only. 17) On his way to the Manor House the peddler thought that he had thrown himself into the lion‟s den. 18) The next day in broad day light the iron master realized the stranger was not captain and threatened to call the sheriff. 19) Edla pleaded for him and asked him to stay back. 20) Christmas Eve at Ramsjo was as usual and the stranger slept and slept. 21) 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. 22) Next morning they went for early church service leaving behind the guest who was asleep. 23) They learnt at church that a rattrap peddler had robbed an old crofter. 24) Edla becomes very upset. 25) 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. 26) 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.
Points for the Textual Long Answer Questions:
1. How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter, the ironmaster and his daughter?
The peddler initially – no principles in life – driven by want, hunger and starvation – stoops to begging and stealing - well- received by the crofter- received hospitality and company- but betrayed the crofter‟ s confidence vested in him- stole the thirty kronors- when he loses his way in the forest- realizes that he is trapped- ironmaster‟s kindness- baits to draw him further into the trap- but Edla‟s warmth and hospitality – raises him and stirs the latent goodness in him- leaves a letter with the stolen money and a rattrap as a gifther warmth redeems him from his dishonesty and makes him turn over a new leaf.
2. What are the instances in the story that show that the character of the ironmaster is different from that of his daughter?
The father and daughter- stand in contrast- father lacks maturity and acts impulsively- jumps to conclusion without much thought- mistakes the peddler for an old regimental comrade without much thought- again on realising his mistake- wishes to defer the matter to the sheriff- Edla on the other hand- keen sense of observation- identifies him to be a tramp at first sight- has a cool and sympathetic attitude- persuades her father to let the peddler stay on for Christmas- welcomes him the next year too.
3. The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to others‟ behaviour. Pick out instances of these surprises.
Old crofter‟s reaction to the tramp‟s request to stay with him- unexpected-hospitality which hit him by surprise- peddler‟ act of stealing- breach of trust- ironmaster‟s sudden invitation to the tramp- peddler‟s refusal to go with him- later on accepting Edla‟s request- unexpected- ironmaster‟s reaction on knowing his identity- unexpected- Edla‟s intercession and the peddler‟s gift to her at the end – full of unexpected reactions.
4. What made the peddler finally change his ways?
The peddler had been living a despicable life of poverty- no one to bestow love and kindness upon him- Edla instrumental in changing him-her treatment of him as a captain- helps redeem him from dishonestyfinally is a changed man- leaves the thirty kronors and the rattrap as a gift to Edla- a present from a rat who had been caught in this worldly rattrap – transformed because of his innate goodness being kindled.
5. How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight human predicament?
Metaphor of a rattrap reveals man‟s helplessness, restlessness and powerlessness in the face of difficult situations that pursuit of joys and luxuries land him in –bait – yields to the temptations -The peddler thinks of the world to be a rattrap-setting baits for people- when he stole the crofter‟s money- loses his way in the forest- world as a rattrap had trapped him in- when ironmaster realizes his mistaken identity- the peddler tells him that the world is a rattrap- one day he would also be caught in it- none escapes- one person falls onto it one day the other another day- finally leaves a rattrap as a present- metaphor highlights the theory of crime and punishment- theft is compared to enticement by a bait- and subsequent imprisonment comparable to guilt and atonement.
Please click on below link to download CBSE Class 12 English Flamingo Rattrap Worksheet Set C
