The Rattrap-Notes

 

The Rattrap-Notes

1. 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 will be captured by the rattrap which completely closes in on him. 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.

2. 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 with generous hospitality. The crofter was an old and lonely man and the prospect of getting the peddler’s company overjoyed him. So he shared his porridge and tobacco, and played majolis with him.

3. 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.

4. Why did the crofter show the thirty kroner to the peddler? (All India 2016)
Answer: The crofter was so generous with his confidences with the peddler. He told that he had made thirty Kronor the previous month by selling his cow’s milk. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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 he hopes to get a couple of kronors from the ironmaster.

8. Why did Edla plead with her father not to send the vagabond away? (All India 2014)
Answer:Edla had a kind and sympathetic heart that was pained by the plight of the poor peddler. Her principles did not allow her to throw this man out of her house on the Christmas Eve whom they had promised a "Christmas cheer". Moreover, she had been in high spirits that morning thinking of the ways in which she could help the tramp. Therefore, she pleaded with her father not to send the vagabond away

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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 above the petty temptations of the world. He signed the letter as Captain von Stahle so as to underline the impact of Edla's goodness on him.

12. 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.

13. 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. The ironmaster is impulsive whereas his daughter is cool, logical, kind and thoughtful. Edla and her father had different natures. She had more convincing power than the father and was able to persuade the peddler to accept the invitation. We also find that the ironmaster's hospitability was limited to his old comrade. But, the daughter was pained by the plight of the peddler and continued to treat him well even after the truth about his identity was revealed. Again, after finding about the robbery of the crofter's money, while the ironmaster was more concerned with the possibility of the peddler robbing them as well, the daughter is more pained by the betrayal of her trust.

14. The story ‘The Rattrap’ focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond with others. Explain. (Delhi 2010)
Answer: The Rattrap deals with the issues of human loneliness and the need to bond with others. Not only the peddler but also other characters like the crofter, the ironmaster and Edla emphasise this fact.
The peddler's conscience had left him because he had been lonely in his predicament, for a long time. But Edla's kindness and hospitality changed him. The crofter, on the other hand, is a lonely fellow whose craving for company leads him to give shelter to a vagabond, and he ends up getting robbed. Even, the ironmaster and his daughter suffer from loneliness. They crave company on Christmas Eve and are excited when they get the opportunity to serve a guest.