The Rat Trap

Value Based Questions

1. The peddler betrayed the trust of the crafter and was caught in the trap of the
world. Temptation to bait should be resisted at any cost. Write a note on „Strength
of Character‟.

2. In the forest, the peddler felt trapped. He even accepted his approaching death.
This shows that the burden of guilt of theft of money from the crafter is really heavy
upon him. Write a note on Guilt burdens you and disturbs the peace of mind.

3. The Rattrap highlights human predicament / weakness and tendency to fall prey
to temptations. In this pursuit, the real aim of life i.e. attaining spiritual heights is
lost somewhere. Comment on “Contentment – the purpose of life”.

4. Edla with her love and compassion is a true living example of humanity and brings
out the best in the rattrap peddler. Confidence, optimism and kindness may reform
weak personalities. Comment.

5. Selfless love, empathy, sympathy and compassion provide a healing touch to the
distracted souls. This is evident from the story The Rattrap. Common on the role of
human values in bringing about change in one‟s behaviour.

6. The letter of the peddler addressed to Edla is a fine example of purification of

soul through confession. He signs himself as Captain Von Stahle, achieving the self
esteem. Write an article on “Confession leads to self esteem”.

7. “But of course it is you, Nils Olof. How you do look? Now of course, you will come
home with me,” says the iron master. However he proves to be wrong later on.
“Impulsive / rash decisions are generally wrong”. Road rage is the burning example
of such behaviour. Comment.

Value Points

1. i) When character is lost – everything is lost.

ii) Develops resistance to temptations.

iii) Role model for society.

iv) Trustworthy.
2. i) Increases stress and snatches peace.

ii) Negative thoughts develop.

iii) Loses confidence.

iv) Confession purifies and provides relief.

3. i) Cut throat competition lessens.

ii) Brings peace of mind & minimizes wants.

iii) Enhances personality.

iv) Gives birth to diversity.

4. i) Love to humanity is love to God.

ii) Fellow feeling is a lifeline of humanity.

iii) Reform weak personalities and society.

iv) Bring out best in man.

5. i) Value education – need of the hour.

ii) Understanding oneself.

iii) Brings about positive changes.

iv) Achievement of self esteem.

6. i) Confession helps in releasing burden of guilt

ii) Purification of soul.

iii) Helps in regaining confidence.

iv) Understanding oneself.

7. i) Impulsive decisions are rash.

ii) Think before deciding or acting.

iii) Disastrous results.

iv) May lead to lifelong suffering.

Question & Answers

1. From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?
Answer: The peddler had been thinking of his rattraps when suddenly he was struck
by the idea that the whole world was nothing but a big rattrap. It existed only to set
baits for people. It offered riches and joys, shelter and food, heat and clothing in the
same manner as the rattrap offered cheese and pork. As soon as someone let
himself be tempted to touch the bait, it closed in on him, and then everything came
to an end.

2. What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?
Answer: The peddler realised that he must not walk on the public highway with the
stolen money in his pocket. He went into the woods. He kept walking without
coming to the end of the wood. Then he realised that he had fallen in the rattrap.
He had let himself fooled by a bait and had been caught in.

3. Why did the peddler decline the invitation?

Answer: The peddler knew that the ironmaster had mistaken him for his old
regimental comrade. Secondly, he had stolen money—thirty kronor—on him. Going
to the ironmaster’s residence would be like entering the lion’s den. So, he declined
the invitation.

4. What doubts did Edla have about the peddler?

Answer: As Edla lifted the peddler’s hat, he jumped up abruptly and seemed to be
quite frightened. Even her kind looks, disclosure of her name and purpose of visit
failed to calm him. From his fear, she thought that either he had stolen something
or he had escaped from jail.

5. How did the peddler defend himself against not having revealed his true
identity?
Answer: The peddler explained that he had not tried to pretend as his acquaintance.
He was not at fault. All along he had maintained that he was a poor trader. He had
pleaded and begged to be allowed to stay in the forge. No harm had been done by
his stay. He was willing to put on his rags again and go away.
6. Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?
Answer: As soon as Edla opened the package of the gift, the contents came into
view. She found a small rattrap with three wrinkled ten kronor notes and a letter
addressed to her. The peddler wanted to be nice in return as she had been so nice
to him all day long. He did not want her to be embarrassed at the Christmas season
by a thief.

7. How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by
the crofter, the iron master and his daughter?
Answer: The peddler interprets the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the
crofter, the iron master and his daughter differently. He cheats the crofter as he
provides his company in his loneliness and helps him pass time. He wants to get a
couple of kronor from the iron master and is surprised at the contrasting style of
behaviour of father and daughter. He is touched by the kindness, care and
intervention of Edla on his behalf.

8. What made the peddler finally change his ways?

Answer: Edla Willmansson treated the tramp in a friendly manner. She was nice
and kind to her. She interceded on his behalf when her father was about to turn him
out. She still entertained the peddler even after knowing the truth about him. She
offered him the suit as a Christmas present and invited him to spend the next
Christmas with them. Her love and understanding aroused the essential goodness in
the peddler and finally, he changed his ways.

9. How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human
predicament?
Answer: The world entices a person through the various good things of life such as
riches and joy, shelter and food, heat and clothing. These were just like the baits in
the rattrap. Once someone is tempted by the bait, the world closed on him. The
peddler was tempted by thirty kronor of the crofter. It makes him hide. He walks
through the wood. He is afraid to go to the Manor house. He gets peace only after
returning the bait (money).

10. Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von Stahle?
Answer: The ironmaster has invited the peddler to his house mistaking him for
Captain von Stahle. He was welcomed there and looked after as captain even after
the reality became known. The peddler got a chance to redeem himself from
dishonest ways by acting as an honourable Captain.
MCQ
1. What earns the sympathy of the reader towards the peddler?
a. His actions
b. His stories
c. His face
d. His sense of humour and innocent acceptance
Answer- d. His sense of humour and innocent acceptance

2. What lightens the seriousness of the lesson?

a. Peddlar’s greed
b. Peddlar’s gossip
c. Peddlar’s tricks
d. Peddlar’s sense of humour
Answer- d. Peddlar’s sense of humour

3. What made the Peddler finally change his heart?

a. Edla’s words
b. Edla’s appearance
c. Edla’s father
d. Edla’s goodness and care
Answer- d. Edla’s goodness and care

4. What is the message of the story?

a. Love and kindness are powerful reformers.
b. Kindness is powerless
c. Kindness encourages thieves
d. Thieves need reprimand
Answer- a. Love and kindness are powerful reformers.

5. What does the rattrap seller have to do to make his both ends meet?
a. Peddling
b. Selling
c. Begging
d. Thievery and begging
Answer- d. Thievery and begging
6. What does the metaphor Rattrap in the lesson signify?
a. Humans
b. Thieves
c. Attractions
d. Human greed and distractions
Answer- d. Human greed and distractions

7. What did the package left for Edla contain?

a. a small rattrap with 30 kroner on it
b. a small bangle
c. a necklace
d. a diamond ring
Answer- a. a small rattrap with 30 kroner on it

8. What did the ironmaster feel when he saw the rattrap seller after he was well
groomed by his valet?
a. Not pleased
b. Very happy
c. Suspicious
d. Angry
Answer- a. Not pleased

9. This story revolves around whom?

a. around Crofter and his daughter
b. around crofter
c. around ironman
d. around peddler- the Rattrap seller
Answer- d. around peddler- the Rattrap seller

10. The rattrap peddler spent most of his Christmas Eve

a. laughing
b. singing
c. playing
d. sleeping
Answer- d. sleeping