1. The story is about a beggar and petty thief who goes around selling rattraps to make a living. 2. He comes to see the world as a big rattrap that offers riches and comforts to tempt people but ultimately traps them. 3. He experiences both the temptations of riches and the kindness of strangers as he seeks food and shelter, undergoing a change of heart through his interactions.

1. By Selma Lageröf

2. Selma Lagerlöf 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 in set amidst the mines Sweden,
rich in iron ore, which figure large in history
and legends of that country. The story is
told somewhat in the manner of a fairy tale.

3. SELMA LAGERLÖF
20 November 1858 – 16 March 1940

4. The story upholds the belief that
the essential goodness of a human
being can be awakened through love
and understanding.
It brings into focus the idea that
the world is a rattrap. Riches, joys,
shelter and food are all lucrative baits
to trap mankind.

5. ‘The Rattrap’ is a metaphor to highlight the
human predicament. Just as a rat is fooled by
a bait and gets trapped, most human beings
are likely to fall into the trap of material
benefits.

7.  The story begins like a fairytale. The
central character is a beggar and a petty
thief who goes about selling rattraps of
wire to make a small living.
 He finds it difficult to make both ends
meet. It makes him reflect about his own
condition and the world at large.
 He fancies that the whole world is nothing
but a big rattrap.

8.  It offers rich and varied baits to people who
bite on them and get trapped in the rattrap.
 The storyline unfolds gradually with the
various baits being offered to the beggar.
 The old man that the tramp meets is
generous with his hospitality but the bait of
the three ten-kronor bills is enough to tempt
him.

9.  Next at the Ramsjo ironworks, while
seeking shelter for the night, the tramp
bites the bait offered to him by the
owner, the ironmaster, of mistaken
identity.
 Edla, the ironmaster’s daughter, offers
yet another bait of full-hearted
generosity, comfortable living and a
magically peaceful Christmas for the
tramp.

10.  Finally, the bitter truth dawns on the hosts. Edla is
downcast when she learns that the peddler is a
thief.
 The tramp undergoes a change of heart after
experiencing her kindness.
 He returns the stolen money and writes a letter to
her thanking her for helping him escape the
rattrap.
 He attains nobility of spirit and ‘becomes’ Captain
Von Stahle. The story ends with the victory of
human goodness.

11. 1. ‘The Rattrap’ is a story that underlies a
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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 11. The owner came on his nightly rounds
and noticed the ragged wretch near the
furnace.
12. He took him as an old acquaintance
‘Nils Olof.’
13. He invited him to stay with them for
Christmas but the stranger declined the
offer.

15. 14. His daughter Edla Willmansson
persuaded to go home with him.
15. She requested him to stay for Christmas
Eve only.
16. On his way to the Manor House the
peddler thought that he had thrown himself
into the lion’s den.17. The next day in
broad day light the iron master realized the
stranger was not captain and threatened to
call the sheriff.

16. 18. Edla pleaded for him and asked him to
stay back.
19. Christmas Eve at Ramsjo was as usual
and the stranger slept and slept.
20. 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.

17. 21. Next morning they went for early church
service leaving behind the guest who was
asleep.
22. They learnt at church that a rattrap
peddler had robbed an old crofter.
23. Edla becomes very upset.
24. 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.

18. 25. She opens the packet and finds a
rattrap, three wrinkled ten­Kronor notes
and also a letter with a request to return
the Kroners to the crofter

19.  Short Questions:
 Why is the peddler amused with the
idea that the world is a rattrap?
 Why did the peddler sign himself as
Captain Von Stahle?
 Long Questions:
 Compare and contrast the characters of
the ironmaster and his daughter.
 What is the dramatic twist in the story
and how does it come about?

20. THANK YOU…..
A Presentation by
PRANAYA TIWARI
Courtesy:
UTKARSH ISHWAR