NCERT Solutions
for Class 12 English Flamingo
Chapter 4 The Rattrap by Selma Lagerlöf
Updated
Syllabus for 2024-2025 Exams
Q.1 From where did the peddler get the
idea of the world being a rattrap?
Answer:
The peddler got the idea of the world being a rattrap from his own thoughts and
experiences. As he wandered around, he likened the world, with its temptations
like riches, joys, food, and shelter, to a rattrap that offers bait to lure
people in. Once they are trapped by these desires, they cannot escape. This
metaphor gave him amusement as he reflected on how the world had been unkind to
him.
Q.2 Why was he amused by this idea?
Answer:
The peddler was amused by the idea of the world being a rattrap because it
allowed him to think ill of a world that had never treated him kindly. He found
a sense of satisfaction in imagining that others were also caught in the trap
of the world’s temptations, just like a rat would be lured into a rattrap with
cheese.
Q.3 Did the peddler expect the kind of
hospitality that he received from the crofter?
Answer:
No, the peddler did not expect the kind of hospitality he received from the
crofter. He was used to being treated with suspicion and hostility because of
his appearance and his status as a vagabond. However, the crofter welcomed him
warmly, gave him food, shared his tobacco, and even played cards with him.
Q.4 Why was the crofter so talkative and
friendly with the peddler?
Answer:
The crofter was talkative and friendly with the peddler because he was lonely
and had no family to talk to. He was happy to have company and shared details
about his life and work with the peddler. His friendliness came from his desire
for companionship and conversation.
Q.5 Why did he show the thirty kronor to
the peddler?
Answer:
The crofter showed the thirty kronor to the peddler to prove that his cow was
extraordinary and that she provided him with enough milk to sell to the
creamery. He wanted to impress the peddler with his modest earnings, and in his
excitement, he revealed the money he had earned.
Q.6 Did the peddler respect the confidence
reposed in him by the crofter?
Answer:
No, the peddler did not respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter.
After the crofter showed him the thirty kronor, the peddler returned to the
cottage when the crofter was away, broke into the house, and stole the money.
Q.7 What made the peddler think that he
had indeed fallen into a rattrap?
Answer:
The peddler thought he had fallen into a rattrap when he lost his way in the
forest after stealing the crofter’s money. The dense forest seemed like an
impenetrable prison, and he realized that his greed had led him into a trap.
The metaphor of the rattrap became real for him, as he felt that the forest had
closed in on him and that he would not be able to escape.
Q.8 Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to
the peddler and invite him home?
Answer:
The ironmaster spoke kindly to the peddler and invited him home because he
mistook the peddler for an old regimental comrade named Nils Olof. He believed
that the peddler was someone he had known from his past and wanted to help him
by offering him a place to stay and food to eat.
Q.9 Why did the peddler decline the
invitation?
Answer:
The peddler declined the ironmaster’s invitation because he feared that going
to the manor house would expose him as a thief. He had stolen the crofter’s money,
and he thought that accepting the invitation would be like walking into a trap,
where he might be caught and arrested.
Q.10 What made the peddler accept Edla
Willmansson’s invitation?
Answer:
The peddler accepted Edla Willmansson’s invitation because she spoke to him
with genuine kindness and compassion. She reassured him that he would be free
to leave whenever he wanted, and her gentle manner made him trust her. Unlike
the ironmaster, who was forceful, Edla treated him with dignity, which made him
feel welcome and safe.
Q.11 What doubts did Edla have about the
peddler?
Answer:
Edla had doubts that the peddler might be a thief or an escaped prisoner. When
she first saw him, his frightened reaction and rough appearance made her
suspicious. However, she still chose to show him kindness, hoping that he would
not cause any trouble.
Q.12 When did the ironmaster realise his
mistake?
Answer:
The ironmaster realized his mistake the next morning when he saw the peddler in
clean clothes, well-groomed, and in daylight. Unlike the previous night, when
he had mistaken the peddler for his old regimental comrade in the dim light of
the forge, the ironmaster now clearly saw that the man was a complete stranger.
Q.13 What did the peddler say in his
defence when it was clear that he was not the person the ironmaster had thought
he was?
Answer:
When it became clear that the peddler was not the person the ironmaster had
thought he was, the peddler defended himself by saying that he had never
pretended to be anything other than a poor trader. He explained that it was the
ironmaster who had mistaken him for someone else, and he had tried to refuse
the invitation. He also said that if the ironmaster wanted to send him to the
sheriff, he could do so, but he would not be surprised if the ironmaster
himself got caught in the world’s “rattrap” one day.
Q.14 Why did Edla still entertain the
peddler even after she knew the truth about him?
Answer:
Edla still entertained the peddler even after knowing the truth about him
because she believed in showing kindness and compassion, especially on
Christmas Eve. She felt sorry for the peddler, who had no home and was always
chased away by others. She wanted him to experience a day of peace and joy,
which he likely never had before.
Q.15 Why was Edla happy to see the gift
left by the peddler?
Answer:
Edla was happy to see the gift left by the peddler because it showed that her
kindness had touched him. He had left behind the stolen thirty kronor and a
small rattrap as a gesture of gratitude. The peddler’s note also indicated that
he had been transformed by the kindness shown to him, and this made Edla feel
that her efforts had not been in vain.
Q.16 Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain
von Stahle?
Answer:
The peddler signed himself as “Captain von Stahle” as a way of
acknowledging the honor and respect that Edla had shown him by treating him
like a captain. Her kindness had lifted him from his lowly status as a thief,
and in return, he wanted to act like a noble person, making amends for his
wrongdoings.
Understanding the Text:
Q.1 How does the peddler interpret the
acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter, the ironmaster, and his
daughter?
Answer:
The peddler initially views the kindness and hospitality shown to him by the
crofter, the ironmaster, and Edla Willmansson through the lens of his cynical
worldview. He believes that the world is a rattrap, where people are lured by
the bait of material comforts, only to be trapped later. He does not trust
these acts of kindness and is suspicious of their intentions. However, it is
Edla’s genuine compassion that transforms him. In the end, he realizes that her
kindness was sincere and without any hidden motives, which leads him to return
the stolen money and express gratitude.
Q.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?
Answer:
The ironmaster and his daughter Edla are portrayed as quite different in their
approach to the peddler:
- The ironmaster is impulsive and
quick to make decisions. He immediately invites the peddler to his home,
thinking he is an old regimental comrade, and becomes angry when he
realizes his mistake. His kindness is conditional, based on who he thinks
the peddler is. - Edla, on the other hand, is
compassionate and thoughtful. She treats the peddler with respect and
kindness, even after learning that he is not the person her father thought
him to be. Her kindness is unconditional and stems from her genuine desire
to help a fellow human being, especially during Christmas.
Q.3 The story has many instances of
unexpected reactions from the characters to others’ behaviour. Pick out
instances of these surprises.
Answer:
Some instances of unexpected reactions include:
- The crofter’s surprising trust in
the peddler, inviting him into his home, sharing his food, and showing him
the thirty kronor, despite the peddler being a stranger. - The peddler’s theft of the
crofter’s money, despite the crofter’s kindness, was an unexpected
betrayal of trust. - The ironmaster’s mistaken
assumption that the peddler is his old regimental comrade and his
subsequent anger when the truth is revealed. - Edla’s insistence on entertaining
the peddler even after learning he is not the person they thought,
demonstrating her compassion and kindness. - The peddler’s transformation after
experiencing Edla’s kindness. Instead of stealing more, he returns the
money and leaves behind a gift.
Q.4 What made the peddler finally change
his ways?
Answer:
The peddler finally changed his ways because of the kindness and compassion
shown to him by Edla Willmansson. Her unconditional hospitality made him feel
valued and respected, something he had not experienced before. She treated him
like a captain, and this treatment gave him the strength to act honorably. As a
result, he returned the stolen money and left behind a letter and a gift,
expressing his gratitude and acknowledging that her kindness had helped him
avoid being caught in the metaphorical “rattrap” of the world.
Q.5 How does the metaphor of the rattrap
serve to highlight the human predicament?
Answer:
The metaphor of the rattrap highlights the human predicament of being tempted
by material gains and getting trapped by desires. Just as a rat is lured into a
trap by cheese, humans are lured by the “bait” of wealth, fame,
power, and pleasure. Once they succumb to these temptations, they are caught in
a cycle of greed and selfishness, losing their freedom and peace of mind. The
peddler’s life exemplifies this metaphor, as he gets caught in the trap of
greed after stealing the crofter’s money, only to be freed by the kindness of
Edla, who helps him escape this moral entrapment.
Q.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?
Answer:
The peddler’s subtle sense of humour adds a lightness to the otherwise serious
theme of the story, which revolves around poverty, greed, and redemption. His
view of the world as a “rattrap” and his candid, often
self-deprecating remarks about his situation show that he is aware of the
ironies of life. This humour makes his character more relatable and endearing,
as it reveals that, despite his hardships and cynicism, he still has the
ability to laugh at himself and the world. His humorous perspective helps soften
the darker aspects of his character, making the reader sympathize with him and
root for his redemption.
Talking About the Text:
Discuss the
following in groups of four. Each group can deal with one topic. Present the
views of your group to the whole class.
- The reader’s sympathy is with the
peddler right from the beginning of the story. Why is this so? Is the
sympathy justified? - The story also focuses on human
loneliness and the need to bond with others. - 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? - The story is both entertaining and
philosophical.
Working with Words:
Q.1 The man selling rattraps is referred
to by many terms such as “peddler, stranger” etc. Pick out all such references
to him. What does each of these labels indicate about the context or the
attitude of the people around him?
Answer:
The peddler is referred to by various terms throughout the story, such as:
- Peddler: Indicates his occupation and
social status as a poor man who sells rattraps for a living. - Stranger: Highlights the fact that he is
unknown to the people he encounters, such as the crofter and the
ironmaster. - Tramp: Reflects his lifestyle of
wandering aimlessly without a permanent home or purpose. - Vagabond: Emphasizes his destitute
condition and suggests a sense of social disregard. - Captain von Stahle: Used by Edla as a mark of
respect, elevating his status from a lowly peddler to someone honorable.
Each of these
labels reflects how the peddler is viewed by different characters, either with
suspicion, pity, or respect.
Q.2 You came across the words plod,
trudge, stagger in the story. These words indicate movement
accompanied by weariness. Find five other such words with a similar meaning.
Answer:
Five other words indicating movement accompanied by weariness are:
- Lumber: To move in a slow, heavy, and
awkward way. - Shuffle: To drag one’s feet along the
ground while walking, often out of fatigue. - Waddle: To walk with short steps,
swaying from side to side, typically due to exhaustion or heaviness. - Lurch: To move suddenly and unsteadily,
as if about to fall. - Slog: To work or walk slowly and
heavily, typically over a long distance or period.
Noticing Form:
Pick out other
examples of the use of reflexive pronouns from the story and notice how they
are used.
Examples from
the text:
- He laughed to himself.
- He lost himself in the woods.
- He had told himself that he could
not be caught.
These reflexive
pronouns are used to emphasize the actions performed by the subject on
themselves, or to indicate self-reflection and internal dialogue.