The Rattrap Important Questions CBSE Class 12 English
The Rattrap Important Questions Short Answer Type Questions (3-4 Marks)
Question 1.
Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von Stahle? (All India 2009)
Answer:
Edla Willmansson had been rather nice to the peddler and had treated him with the honour that was due to a Captain. The peddler, through this mistaken identity, got an opportunity to raise himself and get above the petty temptations of the world. So he signed himself as Captain von Stahle.
Question 2.
Why did the peddler think that the world was a rattrap? (All India 2009)
Answer:
The peddler considered the whole world as a big rattrap, its sole purpose being to set baits for people. The joys and riches of this world are nothing but tempting baits and anyone who is tempted by them was captured by the rattrap which completely closed in on him.
Question 3.
Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler? (All India 2010)
Answer:
Edla was happy to see the gift left by the peddler as he had respected her faith in him. Edla had retained him in her house even after knowing his real identity and he, in turn, had shown her that the guest she had honoured was as honourable as the Captain. The latent goodness of his heart had been awakened and he had been able to overcome the bait of the rattrap.
Question 4.
Which act of the crofter surprised the peddler? Why? (Comptt. Delhi 2010)
Answer:
The peddler was always shunned away wherever he went. No one treated him with kindness and so he had lost all hope of being shown any kind of warmth. But when he approached the crofter’s roadside cottage he was surprised by the latter’s warm welcome and generous hospitality.
Question 5.
How was the peddler treated at the crofter’s cottage? (Comptt. All India 2010)
Answer:
At the crofter’s cottage the peddler was welcomed warmly and received generous hospitality. The crofter was an old and lonely man and the prospect of getting the peddler’s company overjoyed him. So he poured all his warmth and friendly courtesy on the peddler.
Question 6.
Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler? (Delhi 2011)
Answer:
The crofter was lonely. He lived alone in his cottage without a wife, a child or any companion. Since he suffered from acute loneliness he was extremely happy when he got the peddler’s company. That is why he was so talkative and friendly with the peddler.
Question 7.
Why was the peddler surprised when he knocked on the door of the cottage? (All India 2011)
Answer:
At the crofter’s cottage the peddler was welcomed warmly and received generous hospitality. The crofter was an old and lonely man and the prospect of getting the peddler’s company overjoyed him. So he poured all his warmth and friendly courtesy on the peddler.
Question 8.
What made the peddler finally change his ways? (All India 2011)
Answer:
The peddler was touched by Edla’s kind treatment. She treated him like a Captain in spite of knowing his real identity. This awakened the latent goodness of his heart because he wanted to show Edla he was worthy of the honour she had given him. So he finally changed his ways.
Question 9.
Why did the peddler keep to the woods after leaving the crofter’s cottage? How did he feel? (All India 2011)
Answer:
The peddler discards the public highway and keeps to the woods after leaving the crofter’s cottage because he wants to avoid being caught with the thirty kronors that he had stolen from the crofter’s house. He walks through mazes of forest paths but lands nowhere. When he realizes he has been trapped he feels extremely tired and sinks to the ground in despair.
Question 10.
Did the stranger agree to go to the ironmaster’s house? Why or why not? (Comptt. Delhi 2011)
Answer:
Initially the stranger declined the ironmaster’s invitation. He had the stolen thirty kronors on him and thought it was like going into the lion’s den. But then he accepted the ironmaster’s invitation because Edla’s sympathy and compassion allayed his fears and her friendly manner made him to have confidence in her.
Question 11.
Why did the peddler decline the invitation of the ironmaster? (Delhi 2012)
Answer:
The peddler declined the ironmaster’s invitation because he had the stolen thirty kronors on him. He feared that he would be caught there for stealing the crofter’s money. For the peddler going to the manor house of the ironmaster would be like throwing himself voluntarily into the lion’s den.
Question 12.
Why was the crofter so friendly and talkative with the peddler? (Delhi 2012)
Answer:
The crofter was lonely. He lived alone in his cottage without a wife, a child or any companion. Since he suffered from acute loneliness he was extremely happy when he got the peddler’s company. That is why he was so talkative and friendly with the peddler:
Question 13.
Who was the owner of Ramsjo iron mills?
Why did he visit the mills at night? (All India 2012)
Answer:
The ironmaster was the owner of the Ramsjo iron mills. He was very particular about the quality of his products. So he made nightly rounds of inspection to his mill to inspect the quality control.
Question 14.
How did the ironmaster react on seeing the stranger lying close to the furnace? (All India 2012)
Answer:
When the iron master saw the stranger lying close to the furnace he walked up to him and looked him over carefully. Mistaking him for an old acquaintance, a comrade from his regiment, he got very excited and invited him to come to his cottage.
Question 15.
Why didn’t the stranger tell the ironmaster that he was not Nils Olof? (All India)
Answer:
When the ironmaster mistakes the stranger for Captain Nils Olof, an old regimental comrade, the stranger decides not to correct him as hopes to get a couple of kronors from the ironmaster. So he does not want to undeceive him all at once.
Question 16.
Why was the crofter happy when the peddler knocked on his door? (Comptt. All India 2013)
Answer:
The crofter was very lonely. He lived alone in his cottage without a wife, a child or any companion. Since he was suffering from acute loneliness he felt very happy when the peddler knocked on his door. He treated the peddler in the most kind and hospitable manner.
Question 17.
How was the crofter ‘generous with his confidences’ when he spoke to the peddler? (Comptt. All India 2013)
Answer:
The crofter was generous not just with his porridge and tobacco but also with his confidences with the peddler. He informed the peddler that he had been a crofter but now his cow supported him. She would give milk for the creamery every day, and last month he had even received thirty kronors as payment.
Question 18.
What did the peddler do to keep his body and soul together? (Comptt. All India 2013)
Answer:
The peddler made and sold rattraps but his business was not really profitable so he had to resort to both begging and petty thievery to keep his body and soul together.
Question 19.
Why did the peddler derive pleasure from his idea of the world as a rattrap? (Delhi 2014)
Answer:
The world had never been kind to the peddler so it gave him unwanted joy to think ill of it by considering it as a rattrap. It became his cherished pastime to think of people he knew who had let themselves be caught in the dangerous snare and of others who were still circling around the bait in the rattrap.
Question 20.
Why did Edla plead with her father not to send the vagabond away? (All India 2014)
Answer:
Edla pleaded with her father not to send the vagabond away as it was Christmas eve and she wanted to keep the spirit of Christmas alive. She wanted to provide the vagabond with a day of comfort and solace. She justified that they had invited him against his will and since he was lonely she wanted to do something special for him on Christmas eve.
Question 21.
In what sense was the world a big rattrap according to the peddler? (Comptt. Delhi 2014)
Answer:
According to the peddler the whole world with its lands, seas, cities and villages was nothing but a big rattrap. It only existed to set baits for people. If offered riches and joys, shelter, food and clothing as the rattrap offered cheese and pork and as soon as anyone let himself be tempted to touch the bait, it closed on him and then everything came to an end.
Question 22.
Why did the peddler knock on the cottage by the roadside? How was he treated by the owner of the cottage? (Comptt. Delhi 2014)
Answer:
The peddler knocked on the cottage by the roadside to ask shelter for the night. The owner, who was an old man, without a wife or child, greeted him warmly, served him supper and played cards with him as he was happy to get someone to talk to in his loneliness.
Question 23.
What conclusion did the ironmaster reach when he heard that the crofter had been robbed by the peddler? (Comptt. All India 2014)
Answer:
When the ironmaster heard that the crofter had been robbed by a man who went around selling rat-traps, he sarcastically remarked to his daughter that she had let a fine man into the house and was wondering as to how many silver spoons were left in their cupboard by that time.
Question 24.
What were the contents of the package left by the peddler as a Christmas gift for Edla Willmansson? (Comptt. All India 2014)
Answer:
The package that the peddler left as a Christmas gift for Edla Willmansson contained a small rattrap which had a letter he had written in large, jagged characters and in it also lay three wrinkled ten kronor notes.
Question 25.
How was the peddler received by the crofter? (Comptt. Delhi 2015)
Answer:
The crofter was a lonely person who received the peddler warmly, gave him supper and tobacco to fill his pipe and played a game of cards with him. He was very friendly with the peddler. He shared the details of his life with him and showed him the thirty kronor notes he had received as payment.
Question 26.
What brought about a change in the life of the peddler? (Comptt. All India 2015)
Answer:
Edla’s warmth, sympathy and compassion brought about a change in the life of the peddler. He is touched by the kind treatment Edla gives him despite knowing his real identity. The latent goodness of his heart is awakened and he actually behaves like a true Captain.
Question 27.
At the crofter’s home, why did the peddler feel very happy? (Comptt. All India 2015)
Answer:
The peddler was received very warmly and received generous hospitality at the crofter’s home. The crofter, an old and lonely man, served him porridge, treated him kindly and the two smoked and played cards. This made the peddler feel very happy.
Question 28.
Why was the peddler amused at the idea of the world being a rattrap? (Delhi 2016)
Answer:
The world had never been very kind to the peddler. So it gave him unwanted joy to think of the world with its lands and seas, cities and villages as nothing but a big rattrap that sets baits for people in the form of riches, joys and other necessities, and as soon as one got tempted, it closed in on him.
Question 29.
What hospitality did the peddler receive from the crofter? (Delhi 2016)
Answer:
Instead of the sour faces which normally met the peddler, the crofter who was an old and lonely man received the peddler most warmly and offered him generous hospitality. He gave him porridge for supper and the two smoked tobacco and played cards. The crofter also shared his confidences with the peddler.
Question 30.
What do we learn about the crofter’s nature from the story, ‘The Rattrap’? (All India 2016)
Answer:
The crofter was an old man who was very lonely as he had no family. He was very happy when the peddler knocked on his door as he got someone to talk to in his loneliness. He treated the peddler most courteously and offered him food and tobacco. The crofter was as generous with his confidences as he was with his hospitality.
Question 31.
Why did the crofter show the thirty kroner to the peddler? (All India 2016)
Answer:
The crofter was too happy to get someone to talk to in his loneliness so he was generous with his confidences with the peddler. The stranger must have seemed doubtful, for the crofter took down a leather pouch hanging on a nail near the window and showed the thirty kroner notes to the peddler.
Question 32.
Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home? (All India 2016)
Answer:
The ironmaster mistook the peddler to be an old acquaintance Nils Olof, his old regimental comrade, so he spoke kindly to the peddler and invited him to his house. He and his daughter Edla did not have any company for Christmas so he wanted the peddler to join them for Christmas dinner.
Question 33.
Why did Edla invite the peddler? (Comptt. Delhi 2016)
Answer:
Edla invited the peddler because she wanted to celebrate Christmas in the true spirit of the festival by having a guest over for Christmas supper. Moreover, she wanted to give the peddler a day of peace.
Question 34.
Describe the crofter’s meeting with the rattrap peddler. (Comptt. All India 2016)
Answer:
The crofter gave the rattrap peddler shelter for a night. He was very hospitable with the peddler. He gave the peddler supper, tobacco to smoke, played cards with him and even shared his confidences with him.
The Rattrap Important Questions Long Answer Type Questions (5-6 MARKS)
Question 35.
Describe how the story, ‘The Rattrap’ shows that basic human goodness can be brought out by understanding and love. (Delhi 2006)
Answer:
The theme of the story ‘The Rattrap’ is that most human beings are prone to fall into the trap of material gains. However, love and understanding can transform a person and bring out his essential human goodness. The peddler had been treated very cruelly by the world. So even though the old crofter was kind and hospitable to him, he betrayed his trust and stole thirty kronors from him. He was not impressed by the ironmaster’s invitation also. But Edla Willmansson’s compassion and understanding brought about a transformation in his nature. Her human qualities helped in raising him to be a gentleman. He was easily able to overcome petty temptations. The peddler who always considered the whole world to be a rattrap finally felt released from this rattrap due to the sympathetic, kind, loving and generous treatment of Edla Willmansson that was able to bring out his basic human goodness.
Question 36.
Give examples from the story, “The Rattrap” to show how the iron master is different from his daughter. (Delhi 2006)
Answer:
The character of Edla Willmansson and that of the iron master are in stark contrast to each other. Despite being young, the daughter displays a better sense of maturity than her father who acts impulsively and behaves . casually. He jumps to conclusions without thinking. First he mistakes the peddler to be an old regimental comrade and without confirming his identity he instantly invites him to the manor house and again on realising his mistake he refers the matter to the sheriff thoughtlessly. Edla, on the other hand, displays a keen sense of observation. She rightly judges that her guest is a tramp and has a sympathetic attitude towards him. She persuades her father to allow the guest to stay, leads him courteously to the dining table and makes him eat despite her father’s protest. It is because of her compassion and generosity that the peddler undergoes a change of heart and redeems himself from dishonesty. He leaves behind thirty kronors to be given back to the old crofter and a Christmas present for Edla.
Question 37.
The story ‘The Rattrap’ focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond with others. Explain. (Delhi 2010)
Answer:
The main focus of the story ‘The Rattrap’ is on human loneliness. All the characters, whether it is the peddler, the crofter, the ironmaster or his daughter, suffer from loneliness. The peddler is a lonely man who has always been shunned by society’s cold and unkind words. When he knocks at the door of the old crofter’s cottage he does not expect hospitality but the crofter welcomes him as he is too happy to get someone to talk to after being alone for so long. By serving the peddler the crofter is in fact serving himself. He serves the peddler with supper, gives him tobacco and plays ‘mjolis’ with him. He is a very good host. The iron¬master and his daughter too miss company and this makes them all the more lonely on the occasion of Christmas. So the ironmaster, who mistakes the peddler for his old regimental comrade, invites him to his manor house for Christmas. The ironmaster’s daughter, Edla, extends this invitation again and tells the peddler he can leave any time after Christmas. Thus the need to bond is the main focus of the story ‘The Rattrap’.
Question 38.
Describe how the story, ‘The Rattrap’ shows that basic human goodness can be brought out by understanding and love. (Comptt. All India 2011)
Answer:
The theme of the story ‘The Rattrap’ is that most human beings are prone to fall into the trap of material gains. However, love and understanding can transform a person and bring out his essential human goodness. The peddler had been treated very cruelly by the world. So even though the old crofter was kind and hospitable to him, he betrayed his trust and stole thirty kronors from him. He was not impressed by the iron-master’s invitation also. But Edla Willmansson’s compassion and understanding brought about a transformation in his nature. Her human qualities helped in raising him to be a gentleman. He was easily able to overcome petty temptations. The peddler who always considered the whole world to be a rattrap finally felt released from this rattrap due to the sympathetic, kind, loving and generous treatment of Edla Willmansson that was able to bring out his basic human goodness.
Question 39.
How are the attitudes of the ironmaster and his daughter different? Support your answer from the text. (Delhi 2011)
Answer:
The character of Edla Willmansson and that of the iron master are in stark contrast to each other. Despite being young, the daughter displays a better sense of maturity than her father who acts impulsively and behaves . casually. He jumps to conclusions without thinking. First he mistakes the peddler to be an old regimental comrade and without confirming his identity he instantly invites him to the manor house and again on realising his mistake he refers the matter to the sheriff thoughtlessly. Edla, on the other hand, displays a keen sense of observation. She rightly judges that her guest is a tramp and has a sympathetic attitude towards him. She persuades her father to allow the guest to stay, leads him courteously to the dining table and makes him eat despite her father’s protest. It is because of her compassion and generosity that the peddler undergoes a change of heart and redeems himself from dishonesty. He leaves behind thirty kronors to be given back to the old crofter and a Christmas present for Edla.
Question 40.
Describe the peddler’s interaction with the ironmaster’s daughter. To what extent was he influenced by her? (Comptt. Delhi 2011)
Answer:
The peddler first meets Edla Wilmansson, the ironmaster’s daughter when, on her fathers insistence, she comes to invite him to their manor house for Christmas. He was so touched by the sincerity in her voice that he could not refuse her invitation. Later, she comes to know of the peddler’s real identity but it does not change her warmth, friendliness and hospitality towards him. She continues to treat him like a Captain and the peddler quite spontaneously, starts behaving like a real Captain. He leaves a rattrap as a Christmas gift for Edla and encloses a letter of thanks and a note of confession in it. He leaves behind the stolen money to be restored to its rightful owner, the crofter, thus redeeming himself from his dishonest ways. Edla Wilmansson’s sympathy, compassion and understanding give the peddler an opportunity to redeem and reform himself.
Question 41.
Describe the crofter’s interaction with the peddler. How did the latter get tempted? (Comptt. Delhi 2011)
Answer:
When the peddler knocked on the door of the crofter’s cottage he was greeted by the lonely old man who was just too happy to get someone to talk to. He served the peddler with extreme hospitality and even played cards with him. He also shared his confidences with the peddler telling him that he had been a crofter at Ramsjo Ironworks during his days of prosperity and now his cow supported him. Last month he had received thirty kronors in payment for the cow milk he had sold. He even showed the peddler the leather pouch on the window where he had kept the thirty kronors thus tempting the peddler. The next day the peddler after leaving the crofter’s cottage came back there again, smashed the window pane, stuck in his hand and got hold of the pouch that contained the thirty kronors. Then hanging the leather pouch back very carefully, he went away.
Question 42.
‘The Rattrap’ highlights the impact of compassion and understanding on the hidden goodness in human beings. Substantiate with evidence from the story. (Comptt. All India 2011)
Answer:
The theme of the story ‘The Rattrap’ is that most human beings are prone to fall into the trap of material gains. However, love and understanding can transform a person and bring out his essential human goodness. The peddler had been treated very cruelly by the world. So even though the old crofter was kind and hospitable to him, he betrayed his trust and stole thirty kronors from him. He was not impressed by the ironmaster’s invitation also. But Edla Willmansson’s compassion and understanding brought about a transformation in his nature. Her human qualities helped in raising him to be a gentleman. He was easily able to overcome petty temptations. The peddler who always considered the whole world to be a rattrap finally felt released from this rattrap due to the sympathetic, kind, loving and generous treatment of Edla Willmansson that was able to bring out his basic human goodness.
Question 43.
Given his temperament, Edla’s father would have failed in reforming the peddler. How did Edla succeed? (Comptt. All India 2011)
Answer:
Unlike her father Edla is a compassionate, sympathetic and understanding girl and because of these virtues she succeeded in reforming the peddler. The ironmaster, on the other hand, is impulsive and whimsical. He invites the stranger to his house without confirming the latters identity and as soon as the peddler’s true identity is revealed he decides to refer the whole matter to the sheriff. But Edla continues to be nice and hospitable to him and does not turn him out of their house on Christmas eve. She treats the peddler like a real captain and he too behaves like one. She thus awakened the potential goodness of his heart and before leaving the manor house he leaves behind a rattrap as a Christmas gift for Edla and the money he had stolen from the crofter’s cottage alongwith a letter in which he confesses his crime and requests Edla to return the thirty kronors to the old crofter.
Question 44.
How did the peddler feel after robbing the crofter? What course did he adopt and how did he react to the new situation? What does his reaction reveal? (Delhi 2013)
Answer:
After robbing the crofter the peddler felt quite pleased with his smartness. He immediately realised that he could not dare to continue with his journey on the public highway so he turned off the road, into the woods. During the first few hours his decision caused him no difficulty but later it became worse for he had gotten into a big and confusing forest. He continued to walk and when he came to the end of the forest he realized that he had been walking around in the same part of the forest. Then he recalled his thoughts about the world and the rattrap and knew his own turn had come. He had let himself be fooled by a bait of thirty kronors and had been caught. His reaction reveals his gloom and despair as he realized the forest had closed in open upon him like an impenetrable prison from which he thought he could never escape. It also reveals that he was basically a good person at heart and was repentant of his folly.
Question 45.
There is a saying, ‘Kindness pays, rudeness never’. In the story, ‘The Rattrap’ Edla’s attitude towards men and matters is different from her fathers attitude. How are the values of concern and compassion brought out in the story, ‘The Rattrap’? (All India 2013)
Answer:
Edla Willmansson displays qualities of compassion and understanding that transform the peddler and brings out his essential human goodness. Her human qualities help in raising him to the level of a gentleman and he is able to overcome petty temptations. The peddler, who always considered the whole world to be a rattrap, was finally able to release himself from this rattrap due to the sympathetic, kind and generous treatment of Edla and thus redeems himself from his dishonest ways. Despite knowing his real identity Edla continues to treat him like a Captain and the peddler quite spontaneously starts behaving like a real captain. Edla’s compassion and the peddler’s reformation arouses our optimism and belief in the essential goodness of man and other human values.
Question 46.
How does the peddler respond to the hospitality shown to him by the crofter? (Comptt. Delhi 2013)
Answer:
The peddler responds to the crofter’s hospitality by betraying him. One dark evening
when the peddler was walking along the road he knocked on the door of a cottage to seek shelter for the night. To his surprise, he was welcomed by an old man, the crofter, who lived alone in the cottage. The lonely crofter was happy to find a man whom he could talk to. He served the peddler supper, gave him tobacco and played a game of cards with him. The old crofter then went to the window and took down a leather pouch. He counted three ten kronor notes and put them into the pouch. This provided a big bait for the peddler who was tempted to steal the notes. The peddler unwillingly allowed himself to be tempted to touch the bait and was thus trapped in. He stole the money and thus committed a breach of trust. So he betrayed the confidence reposed in him by his host.
Question 47.
How did the seller of rattraps realize that he himself was caught up in a rattrap after he left the crofter’s cottage? (Comptt. Delhi 2013)
Answer:
After robbing the crofter the peddler felt quite pleased with his smartness. He immediately realised that he could not dare to continue with his journey on the public highway so he turned off the road, into the woods. During the first few hours his decision caused him no difficulty but later it became worse for he had gotten into a big and confusing forest. He continued to walk and when he came to the end of the forest he realized that he had been walking around in the same part of the forest. Then he recalled his thoughts about the world and the rattrap and knew his own turn had come. He had let himself be fooled by a bait of thirty kronors and had been caught. His reaction reveals his gloom and despair as he realized the forest had closed in open upon him like an impenetrable prison from which he thought he could never escape. It also reveals that he was basically a good person at heart and was repentant of his folly.
Question 48.
Why did the peddler accept Edla’s invitation when he had already declined the iron¬master’s to go home with him? (Comptt, Delhi 2013)
Answer:
The peddler first meets Edla Willmannson, the ironmaster’s daughter, when on her father’s insistence she comes to invite the peddler to their manor house for Christmas. The peddler who had earlier refused to accept the ironmaster’s invitation could not decline Edla’s invitation. She looked at him with compassion because she immediately noticed that he was afraid. So she spoke to him in such a friendly and warm manner that the peddler felt a kind of confidence in her. Infact the peddler even tells her that it would never have occurred to him that she would bother herself over him and he would come with her immediately. So he accepted the fur coat which Edla’s valet handed him and followed the young lady out to the carriage.
Question 49.
The peddler declined the invitation of the ironmaster but accepted the one from Edla. Why? (Delhi 2015)
Answer:
The peddler first meets Edla Willmannson, the ironmaster’s daughter, when on her father’s insistence she comes to invite the peddler to their manor house for Christmas. The peddler who had earlier refused to accept the ironmaster’s invitation could not decline Edla’s invitation. She looked at him with compassion because she immediately noticed that he was afraid. So she spoke to him in such a friendly and warm manner that the peddler felt a kind of confidence in her. Infact the peddler even tells her that it would never have occurred to him that she would bother herself over him and he would come with her immediately. So he accepted the fur coat which Edla’s valet handed him and followed the young lady out to the carriage.
Question 50.
Edla proved to be much more persuasive than her father while dealing with the peddler. Comment. (Delhi 2015)
Answer:
Edla does prove to be much more persuasive than her father while dealing with the peddler. When the ironmaster invites the peddler to his manor house the latter vehemently refuses to go. Despite trying to allay the peddlers’s fears, the ironmaster is unable to convince him to give them company for Christmas. He finally gives up after the peddler’s repeated refusals and goes away. Later Edla arrives, approaches the peddler and extends the invitation once again. She assures him he can leave after Christmas anytime. The peddler is touched by Edla’s warmth, friendly and sympathetic nature. So he agrees to accompany Edla.
Question 51.
Why did the crofter repose confidence in the peddler? How did the peddler betray that and with what consequences? (Delhi 2015)
Answer:
One dark evening when the peddler was walking along the road he knocked on the door of a cottage to seek shelter for the night. To his surprise, he was welcomed by an old man, the crofter, who lived alone in the cottage. The lonely crofter was happy to find a man whom he could talk to. He served the peddler supper, gave him tobacco and played a game of cards with him. The old crofter then went to the window and took down a leather pouch. He counted three ten kronor notes and put them into the pouch. This provided a big bait for the peddler who was tempted to steal the notes. The peddler unwillingly allowed himself to be tempted to touch the bait and was thus trapped in. He stole the money and thus committed a breach of trust. So he betrayed the confidence reposed in him by his host. After stealing the crofter’s money he turned off the road, and ventured into the woods. There he got completely lost in the big and confusing forest. Later the whole forest seemed to close in upon him like an impenetrable prison from which he could just not escape.
Question 52.
To be grateful is a great virtue of a gentleman. How did the peddler show his gratitude to Edla? (Comptt. Delhi 2015)
Answer:
Edla knew that her father was mistaken when he invited the peddler home thinking he was his long lost friend. Later it was revealed that he was a complete stranger and not a straight forward man. Despite this Edla begged her father not to send him away on Christmas eve. She invited him home and gave him food, shelter and clothes. Her kindness, compassion and sympathy brings out the goodness in the tramp. He leaves a packet for her as a Christmas gift which contains a rattrap and three ten kronor notes stolen from the crofter. It also contains a letter in which he signs himself as captain. Edla’s care and concern changes the peddler into a dignified gentleman.
Question 53.
How did Edla treat the peddler? (Comptt. Delhi 2016)
Answer:
Edla was the daughter of the ironmaster. She was a warm, sensitive and compassionate person. She understood in the first meeting that the peddler was scared of someone and he had not had a single day of peace. So she decided to let him spend Christmas with them in their house. She assured him that he could leave anytime he wanted after celebrating Christmas with them. Edla woke him up to eat food only. Otherwise, she let him sleep for two days. She showed genuine goodness which brought about a positive transformation in the peddler. She continues to treat him like a captain and the peddler, quite spontaneously, starts behaving like a real captain.
Question 54.
The peddler thinks that the whole world is a rattrap. This view of life is true only of himself and of no one else in the story. Comment. (Delhi 2017)
Answer:
The peddler had naturally been thinking of his rattraps when he was struck by the idea that the whole world was nothing but a big rattrap. It only existed to set baits for people. When someone let himself be tempted to touch the bait, it closed on him, and then everything came to an end. But this view of life is true only of the peddler himself and of no one else in the story. The three ten kronor notes of the old crofter provide a bait for the peddler and after he steals the money, he gets lost in the big and confusing forest. He then recalls his thoughts about the world and the rattrap and knew his . turn had come. He had let himself be tempted by a bait and had been caught in the rattrap. He realized the forest had closed upon him like an impenetrable prison from which he thought he could never escape. The theme of the story of ‘The Rattrap’ is that most human beings are prone to fall into the trap of material benefit. However, love and understanding can transform a person and bring out his essential human goodness. So even though the old crofter was kind and hospitable to him, he betrayed his trust and stole thirty kronors from him. He was not impressed by the iron¬master’s invitation also. But Edla Willmansson’s compassion brought out a transformation in his nature. Human qualities helped in raising him to be a gentleman.
Question 55.
The peddler believed that the whole world is a rattrap. How did he himself get caught in the same? (All India 2017)
Answer:
The peddler had naturally been thinking of his rattraps when he was struck by the idea that the whole world was nothing but a big rattrap. It only existed to set baits for people. When someone let himself be tempted to touch the bait, it closed on him, and then everything came to an end. But this view of life is true only of the peddler himself and of no one else in the story. The three ten kronor notes of the old crofter provide a bait for the peddler and after he steals the money, he gets lost in the big and confusing forest. He then recalls his thoughts about the world and the rattrap and knew his turn had come. He had let himself be tempted by a bait and had been caught in the rattrap. He realized the forest had closed upon him like an impenetrable prison from which he thought he could never escape. The theme of the story of ‘The Rattrap’ is that most human beings are prone to fall into the trap of material benefit. However, love and understanding can transform a person and bring out his essential human goodness. So even though the old crofter was kind and hospitable to him, he betrayed his trust and stole thirty kronors from him. He was not impressed by the iron master’s invitation also. But Edla Willmansson’s compassion brought out a transformation in his nature. Human qualities helped in raising him to be a gentleman.
Question 56.
The people we meet in life leave an impression on us. How is the rattrap peddler affected by meeting the crofter and Edla? (Comptt. All India 2017)
Answer:
The good people we meet sometimes leave an impression on us. Compassion and understanding can transform a person and bring out his essential human goodness. As is the case with the rattrap peddler whose meeting with the crofter and Edla bring about a positive transformation in his nature. The lonely old crofter was extremely kind to the peddler. Despite his hospitality the peddler stole his money and committed a breach of trust. Edla too treated him nicely, even after she came to know his true identity. The peddler who had always considered the world to be a rattrap that enclosed upon people finally felt released from this rattrap due to the kind, generous and sympathetic treatment of the crofter and Edla. He leaves behind a letter of thanks for Edla with a Christmas gift and the money he had stolen from the crofter, to be restored to its rightful owner.