ENGLISH
Grade 12 Week: 22- 26 May 2023
LESSON - 4 THE RATTRAP
Selma Lagerlof (1858-1940) was a Swedish writer whose stories have been translated into many
languages. A universal theme runs through all of them — a belief that the essential goodness in a human
being can be awakened through understanding and love. This story is set amidst the mines of Sweden,
rich in iron ore, which figure large in the history and legends of that country. The story is told somewhat
in the manner of a fairy tale.
Characters and Places :
➢ A tramp with rattraps
➢ A crofter
➢ Master Smith in the Ramsjo Iron Mill in Sweden
➢ Iron mill owner
➢ Helpers in the Mill : Blacksmiths
➢ Edla Willmansson : Daughter of the Iron Mill owner
THEME OF THE STORY :
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.
MESSAGE OF THE STORY :
The rattrap is an interesting story. It has been told somewhat in the manner of a fairy tale. The
rattrap peddler is a poor man. He robs the same who gives him shelter and food. But he is
reformed by the compassionate behaviour of a young girl Edla. This story gives the message that
the essential goodness of man can be awakened through love and understanding.
TITLE OF THE STORY :
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.
1
Answer the following questions in 30 – 40 words.
1. Why was the tramp amused by the idea of the world being a rattrap?
Ans. The world had never been kind to the peddler. So, he was full of bitterness against the
world. He had become a cynic and he enjoyed visualizing the world as a rattrap ready to enter
anybody who was tempted by the baits it had to offer. He knew that many people had been
ensnared and the others were still circling around the bait.
2. Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter?
Ans. The peddler had never been treated kindly by the world. He has meted out a cold treatment
wherever he went. He was pleasantly surprised when the crofter treated him with warmth and
hospitality. Ordinarily, he always mates “sour faces” when he knocked anyone’s door for shelter
and food.
ASSIGNMENT: ( 30-40 words)
1. What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rat trap?
2. Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?
3. Why did the peddler decline the invitation?
Answer the following questions in 100 in 120 Words.
1. 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?
Ans. The ironmaster misunderstood the peddler for an old acquaintance, whereas his daughter
could make out that the man was afraid, which was suggestive of him having stolen something.
Though the father and the daughter express compassion for the vagabond both do so for different
reasons. The ironmaster was sure to help the vagabond get over his tramp manners because he
had mistaken the latter for his old comrade. The daughter however wishes to feed him and
welcome him in spite of knowing that he was not Captain Von Stahle. The father acts
impulsively and casually and invites him without confirming the stranger’s identity. On
realizing his mistake, he recklessly wants to hand him over to the sheriff. Only when he is
threatened of ensnared by the rattrap of this world that he thinks otherwise. Edla on the other
hand, shows a strong sense of observation. She rightly judges him to be a tramp without any
education. She persuades her father to let him stay because they had promised him Christmas
cheer. When the blacksmith’s daughter infects the protagonist with her true altruism the
peddler’s inner soul experiences a rapid transformation from an ugly duckling to a dazzling
swan.
ASSIGNMENT: (100-120 words)
2. The story “The Rattrap” focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond with others.
Comment.
Prepared by: Sujatha B
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