The Rattrap.pdf

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Selma Lagerlöf (1858-1940) was a
Swedish author and teacher. She
was the first woman writer to win
the Nobel Prize in Literature. Her
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.

ABOUT THE CHARACTERS
The Peddler: A poor man who sold rattraps for a
living and was a petty thief.
The Crofter: A simple trusting person who is
robbed by the peddler.
The Ironmaster: A stern taskmaster and law-
abiding person, he trusts the peddler due to his
daughter's persuasion.
Edla: The ironmaster's daughter who is a kind and
compassionate lady.

THEME
The story is about an old disheartened peddler who is taken in and shown generosity by a
young woman. Her generosity and kindness change his bitter attitude towards life. The
peddler is a man who has fallen upon misfortune and now resorts to selling rattraps,
begging, and thievery. He is very pessimistic about the world around him and sees the
world as merely a “rat trap”. He believes that society tempts us with riches and fine things,
and when we accept, we are caught in the trap and are left with nothing.
The story conveys a universal message that the essential goodness in a human being can be
awakened through love, respect, kindness and understanding. It highlights the human
predicament. Material benefits are the traps that most human beings are prone to fall into.
Human beings do have a tendency to redeem themselves from dishonest ways as does the
peddler at the end of the story.

THE RATTRAP PEDDLER AND HIS
THOUGHTS ABOUT THE WORLD
Once upon a time, there was a vagabond who
went around selling small rattraps. He made
them from the material he got by begging. The
business was not profitable, so he had to beg
and even steal to survive. His clothes were in
rags, his cheeks were sunken and hunger gleamed in his eyes. While he was engrossed
in his thoughts about rattraps one day, a very amusing thought came to his mind that
the world was a big rattrap. It offered comforts and joys just like the rattrap offered
cheese and pork. As soon as a rat was tempted to touch the bait, it trapped him.

THE CROFTER TREATS THE PEDDLER
NICELY BUT THE PEDDLER CHEATS HIM
One dark evening, as the peddler was trudging along the road,
he went to a small grey cottage, seeking shelter for the night.
The owner, who had once been a crofter, not only invited him
in, but was happy to get someone to talk to. The crofter, who
had no wife or children, was very talkative and shared much
about himself with the peddler. He informed the peddler that
during his days of prosperity, he worked at the Ramsjö Ironworks. Now, his cow supported him. He
even shared the fact that he had earned thirty kronor by selling the cow's milk. The guest seemed
incredulous, so the crofter showed him the money, also revealing where it was kept. Next. day, both
left the cottage at the same time. But, halt an hour later the meddler returned. He went up to the
window, smashed a pane and took out the thirty kronor from the pouch in which they were kept.

THE VAGABOND IS PLEASED WITH HIS SMARTNESS; GETS LOST
IN THE WOODS
The vagabond was quite pleased with his smartness. He avoided the public highway
and turned into the wood, as he telt he would be safer and no one would be able to
catch him. It was a big and confusing forest. He tried to walk in a definite direction,
but the paths twisted back and forth so strangely that he was confused. He walked
on and on and soon realised that he had been walking around in the same part of the
forest. All at once, he recalled his thoughts about the world being a rattrap. Now, his
own turn had come. He had let himself be fooled by the bait and had been caught in
a rattrap. The entire forest, with its trees, trunks and branches, seemed to him like a
prison that offered no escape.

THE PEDDLER MEETS THE IRONMASTER; DECLINES HIS
INVITATION
Finally, the peddler saw no way out. He was so overwhelmed with exhaustion that he sank down to
the ground, dired to death, thinking that his last moment had come. Just then, he heard the sound of
the regular thumping of a hammer. He realised that the sound was coming from an iron mill. He
summoned all his strength and walked in the direction of the sound. He reached the Ramsjö
Ironworks, which was then a large plant with smelter, rolling mill and forge. He entered the
ironworks amidst the different sounds coming from the work going on in full swing. It was quite
usual for persons like him to be attracted by the warmth and shelter of the forge, so he was ignored
by the blacksmiths. The master blacksmith rather haughtily granted him permission to stay. Soon,
the ironmaster came into the forge for his inspection and noticed the peddler. He mistook him in the
dim light for an old regimental comrade and the addressed him as Nils Olof. The peddler didn't try
to clear his doubt, as he thought the ironmaster might give him some money. The ironmaster invited
him home. The peddler thought that going to the manor house would be like 'throwing himself
voluntarily into the lion's den'. So, he declined the invitation.

IRONMASTER SENDS HIS DAUGHTER EDLA TO
PERSUADE THE PEDDLER
The ironmaster assumed that the Peddler felt embarrassed because of his
miserable clothing. He tried to comfort the peddler by informing him that
there was nothing to be ashamed about. He further told him that his wife Elizabeth was
dead, his sons were settled abroad and he lived with his daughter Edla. But the tramp
constantly refused to go with him. The ironmaster went, away but he was not deterred by the
peddler’s persistent refusal. He sent his daughter to persuade the peddler when Edla came to
the ironworks, she found the man alarmed and frightened.
She tried to comfort him. She somehow sensed that his fear conveyed that he was either a
thief on the run or an escaped prisoner. Still, she was very friendly and kind to the peddler.
The peddler felt confidence in her and cursed himself for sealing the crofter’s money

EDLA EXPRESSES HER DOUBTS ABOUT THE PEDDLER
The next day was Christmas Eve. The ironmaster was happy
that he would be spending his time with an old friend. He told
Edla that they needed to feed him well and provide him with
a better business than selling rattraps. Edla said that she was
doubtful about the peddler, as he didn't display the slightest
sign of being educated. However, the ironmaster told her to
have some patience. Just then the door opened and the
stranger entered the room. He was now well groomed. He
was wearing clothes which belonged to the ironmaster.

THE IRONMASTER GETS ANGRY; THE PEDDLER
RETALIATES
The ironmaster realised that the tramp was no friend of his. The peddler made no
attempt to delude them any longer. He explained that he never said to the
ironmaster that he was Nils Olof. He had even pleaded and begged for not coming
to the manor house. He added that no harm had been done and he could put on his
rags and go away. The ironmaster said that the peddler had not been very honest
and he would take him to the Sheriff. The peddler got agitated. He said that the
world was like a big rattrap, and some day the ironmaster would also be tempted to
touch the bait and would be doomed. The ironmaster started laughing.

EDLA ARGUES ON BEHALF OF THE PEDDLER
The ironmaster asked the peddler to leave. But Edla wanted him to stay back. She
felt that they had promised the peddler Christmas cheer, and it would be wrong to
send him away. The peddler was surprised by this gesture. Edla further added that
the peddler must have been through a bad time, as he was always chased away. He
could not even sleep unafraid. The ironmaster gave in. The peddler was allowed on
for Christmas, but the only thing he did was to sleep soundly after that. Once or
twice he was woken up to have food but besides that, he only slept. It seemed as
though he had never slept as quietly and safely. The ironmaster and Edla gifted him
the suit that he was wearing a Christmas present. She told him that he was welcome
to spend even the next Christmas with them. The peddler kept staring at her in
boundless amazement.

THE PEDDLER BECOMES A CHANGED MAN
The next morning, the ironmaster and his daughter went to the church for Christmas service,
leaving the peddler at home. They returned home and Edla was very sad. At the church, they had
learned that a rattrap peddler robbed an old crofter who once worked at their Ramsjö Ironworks.
The ironmaster was furious.
They thought that by the time they would reach home, the peddler would have escaped with all
their silver and other valuables. When they got home, the ironmaster asked the valet if if the
peddler was still there. The valet informed him that the fellow had left but he had not taken
anything with him. Instead, he had left something for Edla. Edla opened the package and found a
rattrap. In the rattrap were three wrinkled ten kronor notes and a letter.
The peddler had written that since Edla had treated him like a real captain, he also wanted to be
nice to her. He wanted the money to be returned to the crofter. He further wrote that he would not
have been able to escape the rattrap, if he had not been raised to the status of a captain. He even
signed the letter as 'Captain von Stahle'. He was a changed man.

WORD MEANINGS
• Keep body and soul together : survive, especially in difficult circumstances
• Plods along the road : walks slowly with heavy steps on the road
• Unwonted joy : unusual enjoyment
• Mjölls : a card game played in Sweden
• Crofter : small farmer
• Peddler : a person who goes from place to place selling small goods
• Scows : flat-bottomed boats for transporting cargo to and from ships in harbour
• Pig iron : crude iron first obtained from smelting furnace
• Undeceive : reveal his real identity to
• Valet : personal attendant
• Sheriff : the chief executive officer of a district having administrative and judicial powers
• Parson : priest

UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT
1. How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the
crofter, the ironmaster and his daughter?
2. 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?
3. The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to others’
behaviour. Pick out instances of these surprises.
4. What made the peddler finally change his ways?
5. How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human predicament?
6. 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?

TALKING ABOUT THE TEXT (DISCUSS)
1. The reader’s sympathy is with the peddler right from the beginning of the story.
Why is this so? Is the sympathy justified?
2. The story also focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond with others.
3. Have you known/heard of an episode where a good deed or an act of kindness has
changed a person’s view of the world?
4. The story is both entertaining and philosophical.

UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT (ANSWERS)
1. Initially, the peddler heartily accepts the crofter's hospitality and generosity but
robs him of his hard-earned money just because it is easy to do so.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 pesters him, he again feels a sense of entrapment, having stolen the
money from the crofter, and thus declines the invitation. However, on Edla’s request,
he goes to the ironmaster's home. Edla’s warmth, sympathy and hospitality
transforms him in the end.When. She elevates him to the status of a captain, it
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 kindnesses an act of nobility.

2. The ironmaster was a man of power and ambition and was rather arrogant. He
invited thepeddler home more out of his sense of pride than. Out of sympathy or
generosity.When the ironmaster realized that he had been mistaken, he called the
peddler dishonest and threatened to call the Sheriff, Later on, when he learnt that
the peddler was a thief, he was worried about his own silverware. 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 treated him with respect and dignity even after knowing that he was not a
captain. It washer generous attitude which finally changed the peddler, bringing
out the essential goodness of his nature.

3. The instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to others’ behavior are:
i. 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 actor stealing
the crofter’s hard-earned 30 kronor is unexpected.
ii. 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.
iii. The peddler’s act of accepting Edla’s invitation, in spite of his guilt feeling about the stolen
money and thoughts about entering the lion’s den, is surprising.
iv. 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.

v. 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 give us a pleasant surprise.
Thus, the story is replete with instances of unexpected reactions and surprises.
4. Edla’s kindness, compassion and caring behavior finally made the peddler change
his ways. The peddler believe 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.

5. 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 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 temptation,
desires and needs. We go all out to satisfy they, 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

6. The peddler, with his subtle sense of huniwut,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. The peddler’s insistence on
staying in the warm forge and refusal to growth the ironmaster evokes pity, We know that
somewhere he is feeling guilty of stealing the crofter's money.
When the ironmaster realizes his mistake, the tramp's ‘sermon’ about the world being a
rattrap, temptations and desires, is really humorous, as it seems out of context. The
ironmaster’s daughter's kind and sympathetic attitude changes him completely.
Even she realizes his human worth and treats him with dignity, The tramp’s final act of leaving
a token of love, the rattrap and a redesigning off as the captain, is also humorous.
Without the tramp’s philosophizing element of the rattrap and his treatment of it in humorous
way, the story would have been seeped in seriousness.

TALKING ABOUT THE TEXT (ANSWERS)
1. The peddler wins our sympathy for his way of life and how the world treats him. It is an
admitted fact that the underdog always runs away with sympathy, so does the peddler with
the rattraps. He begs the material like wire for his rattraps. His business not being specially
profitable, he resorts to begging and petty thievery to keep body and soul together.
His life is sad and monotonous. He plods along the road lost in his own meditation. The world
has never been very kind to him and he feels happy in calling it a rattrap. Whenever, he asks
shelter for the night, he meets sour faces. He is an unwelcome, unwanted and undesirable
figure. The blacksmiths at forge glance at him only casually and indifferently. The master
blacksmith nods a haughty consent without honoring him with a single word.
The old and lonely crofter finds him an enjoyable company. The ironmaster mistakes him for
an old regimental comrade. Only Edla Willmansson behaves with him in a kind, friendly
manner. Her nice treatment arouses the tramp’s goodness. He redeems himself Hy returning
the stolen money and wins our admiration. Thus, we see that the sympathy is not only well
earned but well justified too.

2. There are at least three characters in the story who suffer from loneliness and express the
need to bond with others. They represent three strata of the human society as well. The
peddler with the rattraps, the old crofter and the ironmaster all suffer from loneliness. The
peddler is called a tramp, a vagabond and stranger at various points of the story. He moves
wearily from one place to the other. He is lost in his own thoughts. He seeks shelter for night
and people look at him with sour faces. Even the blacksmiths look haughtily at him and nod
consent. The old crofter suffers from loneliness as he has neither wife nor child with him.
Hence, he feels happy when he gets the peddler to talk to in his loneliness.
The ironmaster is also lonely in his manor house. His wife Elizabeth has died and his sons
are abroad. There is no one at home except his oldest daughter and himself. His requests to
Captain von Stehle to accompany him show his need for human bonding. He admits frankly
that they didn’t have any company for Christmas. The stranger turns down the request not
because he is against bonding with others but because he fears being caught with stolen
money.

3. Yes, I know how the kindness of a Bishop transformed a hard-hearted beastly convict into a
man again with faith in God and human values. The story is presented in the form of a
famous play ‘The Bishop’s Candlesticks’
The Bishop provides food and shelter at midnight to a runaway convict who threatens him
with a knife. Long years of imprisonment and harsh treatment in the prisonship has
transformed the man into beast and he is devoid of all human feelings now. The convict runs
away with the Bishop’s silver candlesticks, but is caught by the police.
In order to save the convict from further punishment and torture, the Bishop tells the police
officer that the fellow is his friend and he had himself given him the candlesticks. This kind
act of the Bishop melts the hard heart of the convict. He sobs and weeps. He promises to be a
man again.

4. The story entertains us by providing glimpses into human nature and how people react to
various situations. The actions of the peddler after stealing thirty kronor are quite amusing.
The reactions of the blacksmiths to the tramp’s request for shelter show how casual and
indifferent human beings can be.
The U-turn in the ironmaster’s attitude towards the stranger reveal how selfish and ignorant
human beings can be. Mistaking the vagabond for his old regimental comrade, whom he
thinks he has run across unexpectedly, he asks the stranger to accompany him home and
spend Christmas with them. When the stranger refuses to go with him, the ironmaster sends
his daughter.With her better persuasive power she makes him follow her.
The ironmaster is annoyed on seeing the stranger in broad daylight. But instead of realising
his own mistake, he puts the blame on the man. He talks of handing him over to the sheriff.
The metaphor of the world being a rattrap saves the situation for the tramp, but the
ironmaster wants to turn him out. His daughter’s comments are quite entertaining and
philosophical. She wants the tramp to enjoy a day of peace. Secondly, she does not want to
chase away a person whom they had invited home and had promised Christmas cheer

The Rattrap.pdf

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