Gujarat Board GSEB Class 12 English Textbook Solutions Flamingo Chapter 4 The Rattrap Textbook Exercise Important Questions and Answers, Notes Pdf.
Gujarat Board Textbook Solutions Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 4 The Rattrap
GSEB Class 12 English The Rattrap Text Book Questions and Answers
Think as you Read (Textbook Page No. 34)
Question 1.
From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?
Answer:
The peddler had been thinking of his raitraps 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 saine 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.
Question 2.
Why was he amused by this idea?
Answer:
His own life was sad and monotonous. He walked laboriously from place to place. The world had never been kind to him. So. during his gloomy ploddings, this idea became his favourite pastime. He was amused how people let themselves be caught In the dangerous snare and how others were still circling around the bait.
Question 3.
Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter?
Answer:
The crofter served him porridge for supper and tobacco for his pipe. He also played a game of cards with him till bedtime. This hospitality was unexpected as people usually made sour faces when the peddler asked for shelter.
Question 4.
Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?
Answer:
The crofter’s circumstances and temperament made him so talkative and friendly with the peddler. Since he had no wife or child. he was happy to get someone to talk to In his loneliness. Secondly. he was quite generous with his confidence.
Question 5.
Why did he show the thirty kronor to the peddler?
Answer:
The crofter had told (he peddler that by supplying his cow’s milk to the creamery. he had received thirty kronor in payment. The peddler seemed to doubt It. So, In order to assure his guest of the truth he showed the thirty kronor
to the peddler.
Question 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. At the very first opportunity that he got, he smashed the windowpane, took out the money and hung the leather pouch back in its place. Then he went away.
Think as you Read (Textbook Page No. 37)
Question 1.
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 be fooled by a bait and had been caught in.
Question 2.
Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?
Answer:
The ironmaster walked closely up to the peddler. In the uncertain reflection from the furnace, he mistook the man as his old regimental comrade, Captain von Stahle. He addressed the stranger as Nils Olof, spoke very kindly and –
invited him home.
Question 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.
Think as you Read (Textbook Page No. 41)
Question 1.
What made the peddler accept Edla Willmansson’s invitation?
Answer:
Miss Edla Willmansson looked at the peddler quite compassionately. She noticed that the man was afraid. She assured him that he would be allowed to leave just as freely as he came. She requested him to stay with them over Christmas Eve. Her friendly manner made the peddler feel confidence in her and accept her invitation.
Question 2.
Why was he amused by this idea?
Answer:
His own life was sad and monotonous. He walked laboriously from place to place. The world had never been kind to him. So, during his gloomy ploddings, this idea became his favourite pastime. He was amused how people let themselves be caught in the dangerous snare and how others were still circling around the bait.
Question 3.
Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter?
Answer:
The crofter served him porridge for supper and tobacco for his pipe. He also played a game of cards with him till bedtime. This hospitality was unexpected as people usually made sour faces when the peddler asked for shelter.
Question 4.
Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?
Answer:
The crofter’s circumstances and temperament made him so talkative and friendly with the peddler. Since he had no wife or child, he was happy to get someone to talk to in his loneliness. Secondly, he was quite generous with his confidence.
Question 5.
Why did he show the thirty kronor to the peddler?
Answer:
The crofter had told the peddler that by supplying his cow’s milk to the creamery, he had received thirty kronor in payment. The peddler seemed to doubt it. So, in order to assure his guest of the truth, he showed the thirty kronor to the peddler.
Understanding the Text
Question 1.
How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter, the ironmaster and his daughter?
Answer:
The different ways in which the peddler repaid the three people corresponds to the way he interpreted the kindness of the three people. The peddler realised that for the crofter it was his craving for company that led him to offer his hospitality. The ironmaster’s hospitality apparently is limited to his acquaintances.
It was only the daughter who genuinely offered warmth and goodness to the peddler. He was touched by Edla’s kindness and it made him want to act differently. He repaid her good treatment with a gesture of true gratitude.
Question 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 misunderstood the peddler for an old acquaintance, whereas his daughter could make out that the man was afraid, which was suggestive of him having stolen something. Though the father and the daughter express compassion for the vagabond both do so for different reasons. The ironmaster was sure to help the vagabond get over his tramp manners because he had mistaken the latter for his old comrade.
The daughter however wishes to feed him and welcome him in spite of knowing that he was not Captain von Stahle. The father acts impulsively and casually and invites him without confirming the stranger’s identity. On realizing his mistake, he recklessly wants to hand him over to the sheriff. Only when he is threatened to be ensnared by the rattrap of this world that he thinks otherwise.
Edla on the other hand shows a strong sense of observation. She rightly judges him to be a tramp without any education. She persuades her father to let him stay because they had promised him Christmas cheer. When the blacksmith’s daughter infects the protagonist with her true altruism the peddler’s inner soul experiences a rapid transformation from an ugly duckling to a dazzling swan.
Question 3.
The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to others’ behaviour. Pick out instances of these surprises.
Answer:
The first instance is that of the crofter’s hospitality to the peddler. The rattrap peddler, used to being shooed away, was surprised at the friendly behaviour of the crofter. The peddler was also surprised at the sudden invitation given by the ironmaster, who was himself shocked to realize his mistake in recognizing the peddler, the next day. Another unexpected reaction, for both the peddler and the ironmaster, is Edla’s intervention to seek peddler’s presence for Christmas. However, the most unexpected reaction is from the peddler when he leaves the package and the letter for Edla, showing gratitude to the girl’s hospitality and respect for him.
Question 4.
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 Christmas present and invited him to spend the next Christmas with them. Her love and understanding aroused the essential goodness of the peddler and he changed his ways.
Question 5.
How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human predicament?
Answer:
The metaphor of the rattrap signifies that the world exists only to trap people by setting baits for them. Whenever someone is tempted by the luxuries, he ends up being caught in a dangerous trap. The author, thus, makes a much deeper comment on the woeful plight of those in pursuit of the worldly pleasures, which often lead them to unfortunate situations.
The story helps in realising the importance of general goodness and kindness. The peddler is saved from the snare of the huge rattrap called world only when he appreciates the kindness to him by Edla.
Question 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 doesn’t come across as a humorous person, although one can locate a subtle sense of humour in the way he thinks about the world as being a giant rattrap. He is singularly pleased by this thought of his because it provides him with the opportunity of thinking ‘iir of the world that is not kind to him.
It is clearly visible that whenever he gets caught unaware, in the web of deceit spun by his scheming mind, he hides behind the thought that the world is a rattrap and he merely a prey. Thus, he lightens the mood and theme of the story and makes us endear him.
Talking about the Text
Discuss the following in groups of four. Each group can deal with one topic and present the views of your group to the whole class.
Question 1.
The reader’s sympathy is with the peddler right from the beginning of the story. Why is this so ? Is the sympathy justified?
Answer:
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 honouring 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 by returning the stolen money and wins our admiration. Thus, we see that the sympathy is not only well earned but well justified too.
Question 2.
The story also focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond with others.
Answer:
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 casually and indifferently at him and nod a haughly 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 Stahle 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.
Question 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?
Answer:
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 prison 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.
Question 4.
The story is both entertaining and philosophical.
Answer:
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 for 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.
Working with Words
Question 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 of the context or the attitude of the people around him.
Answer:
| Labels | Contexts |
| 1. Peddler | As he peddles or sells the rattraps |
| 2. Vagabond | Used to describe his nomadic lifestyle |
| 3. Stranger | Used to refer to the peddler when he was at the crofter’s place, possibly to emphasize the fact that the crofter was compassionate to an unknown man |
| 4. Guest | He is treated with compassion, especially at the ironmaster’s house where he was invited to spend the Christmas |
| 5. Intruder | When the peddler trespasses and enters the iron mill |
| 6. Tramp | When the peddler asks for lodgings at the iron mill; also when the ironmaster, mistaking him for his old regimental comrade plans of helping him drop his tramp ways and begin a new vocation |
| 7. Ragamuffin | When the ironmaster first notices him wrapped in rags and in the state of utter destitution |
| 8. Old regimental comrade | The ironmaster mistakes him for his old friend when he first meets the peddler at his iron mill |
| 9. Poor hungry wretch | Used only once when the author mentions the fact that Edla was excited about the prospect of getting a chance to help an unfortunate fellow on Christmas |
| 10. Rat | The peddler calls himself a rat and thanks Edla for helping him escape the rattrap with her kindness and compassion |
Question 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 with a similar meaning are clomp, lumber, lurch, reel, stumble.
Noticing Form
1. He made them himself at odd moments.
2. He raised himself.
3. He had let himself be fooled by a bait and had been caught.
4. A day may come when you yourself may want to get a big piece of pork.
Notice the way in which these reflexive pronouns have been used (pronoun + self)
- In 1 and 4 the reflexive pronouns ‘himself’ and ‘yourself’ are used to convey emphasis.
- In 2 and 3 the reflexive pronoun is used in place of personal pronoun to signal that it refers to the same subject in the sentence.
Pick out other examples of the use of reflexive pronouns from the story and notice how they are used.
Answer:
| Examples | Usages |
| “…would be like throwing himself voluntarily into the lion’s den” | Used in place of personal pronoun to signal that it refers to the same subject in the sentence. |
| “… except my oldest daughter and myself” | Used in place of personal pronoun to signal that it refers to the same subject in the sentence. |
| ”… he laughed to himself.” | Used in place of personal pronoun to signal that it refers to the same subject in the sentence. |
| “… better powers of persuasion them he himself” | Used to convey emphasis. |
| “stretched himself out on the floor” | Used in place of personal pronoun to signal that it refers to the same subject in the sentence. |
| “He could not bring himself to oppose her.” | Used to convey emphasis. |
Thinking about Language
Question 1.
Notice the words in bold in the following sentence: “The fire boy shovelled charcoal into the maw of the furnace with a great deal of clatter.” This is a phrase that is used in the specific context of an iron plant. Pick out other such phrases and words from the story that are peculiar to the terminology of ironworks.
Answer:
Words and phrases that are peculiar to the terminology of ironworks are given below: hammer strokes, smelter, forge, rolling mill, coal dust, furnace, pig iron, anvil, iron bar, big bellows, coal, charcoal, shovel and sooty panes.
Question 2.
‘Mjolis’ is a card game of Sweden. Name a few indoor games played in your region. ‘Chopar’ could be an example.
Answer:
Some indoor games are chess, ludo, table tennis, playing cards, billiards, etc.
Question 3.
A ‘Crofter’ is a person who rents or owns a small farm, especially in Scotland. Think of other uncommon terms for ‘a small farmer’ including those in your language.
Answer:
The uncommon terms for ‘a small farmer’ are: peasant, plower, cultivator, tiller, ploughman, husbandman, rancher
Some other terms in our language are: Krishan, Kisan
GSEB Class 12 English The Rattrap Additional Important Questions and Answers
Answer the following questions in three to four sentences each:
Question 1.
What idea did the peddler get about the world? What were its implication?
Answer:
The peddler got the idea that the whole world was only a big rattrap. It sets baits for people exactly as the rattrap offered cheese and pork. It offered riches and joys, shelter and food, heat and clothing as baits. It closed on the person who let himself be tempted to touch the bait. Then everything came to an end.
Question 2.
“The old man was just as generous with his confidences as with his porridge and tobacco.” What personal information did he impart to his guest?
Answer:
The old man told his guest that in his days of prosperity he had been a crofter at Ramsjo Ironworks. Then he worked on the land. Now he was unable to do physical labour. His cow supported him now. He supplied her milk to the creamery every day. Last month he had received thirty kronor in payment.
Question 3.
“The next day both men got up in good season.” Why? Who are the men and what did they do after getting up?
Answer:
The two men are the old crofter and his guest-the peddler with, the rattraps. The crofter was in a hurry to milk his cow. His guest did not want to stay in bed when the host had risen. They left the cottage at the same time. The crofter locked the door and put the key in his pocket. The peddler bade him goodbye and thanked him. Then each went his own way.
Question 4.
How did the peddler feel while walking through the wood? What did he realise?
Answer:
During the first hours, the woods caused him no difficulty. Later in the day, .it became worse as it was a big and confusing forest. The paths twisted back and forth. He kept on walking but did not come to the end of the wood. He realised that he had been walking around in the same part of the forest.
Question 5.
Why did the blacksmith fail to notice the entry of the peddler in the forge?
Answer:
The forge was full of many sounds. The big bellows groaned and the burning coal cracked. The fire boy shovelled charcoal into the maw of the furnace with a great deal of clatter. A water¬fall roared outside. Sharp north wind made the rain strike the brick-tiled roof. Due to all this noise, the blacksmith failed to notice the peddler’s entry in the forge.
Question 6.
What did the ironmaster notice in the forge? How did he react then?
Answer:
The ironmaster noticed a person in dirty rags lying quite close to the furnace. Steam rose from his wet rags. The ironmaster went near him and looked at him very carefully. Then he removed his slouch hat to get a better view of his face. He thought that he was an old acquaintance of his and said: “But of course it is you, Nils Olof!”
Question 7.
What observation did the ironmaster make about the stranger? What did he ask him to do?
Answer:
The ironmaster saw the stranger in the uncertain light of the furnace and mistook him for his old regimental comrade. He said that it was a mistake on his part to have resigned from the regiment. If he had been in service at that time, it would never have happened. He asked the stranger to go home with him.
Question 8.
What did the peddler think about going up to the manor house? How did he react to the ironmaster’s invitation?
Answer:
The peddler looked quite alarmed. He still had the stolen thirty kronor on him. Going up to the manor house would be like throwing himself voluntarily into the lion’s den. He did not feel pleased to go there and be received by the owner like an old regimental comrade. So he declined the invitation.
Question 9.
“The ironmaster saw that he must give in.” What made him give in? What did he say? What did the blacksmith think about the ironmaster?
Answer:
The stranger declined the ironmaster’s invitation thrice. The ironmaster then told Stjemstrom, the blacksmith that Captain von Stahle preferred to stay with him that night. He laughed to himself as he went away. The blacksmith, who knew the ironmaster, understood very well that he had not said his last word.
Question 10.
What did the young girl notice about the stranger? What did she conclude? How did she make him feel confidence in her?
Answer:
The stranger jumped up abruptly and seemed to be quite frightened. She looked at him sympathetically, but the man still looked afraid. She concluded that either he had stolen something or else he had escaped from jail. She spoke to him in a very friendly manner to make him feel confidence in her.
Question 11.
How did the ironmaster try to convince his daughter about the stranger?
Answer:
The ironmaster asked his daughter to have some patience. She would see something different as soon as the stranger got clean and dressed up. Last night he was naturally embarrassed. He asserted that tramp manners would fall away from him with tramp clothes.
Question 12.
“The daughter stood there quite embarrassed and hardly knew what to answer.” What embarrassed her? Why did she intercede for the vagabond?
Answer:
The daughter had drawn plans to make things homelike and typical of Christmas, for the poor hungry wretch. She could not get away from this idea at once. She felt embarrassed when her father asked the man to get out. She interceded for the vagabond to persuade her father to let him stay for Christmas.
Question 13.
What arguments did the young girl give in favour of the stranger’s stay there?
Answer:
The young girl said that the whole year long, the stranger walked around. He was probably not welcome or made to feel at home even at a single place. He was chased away wherever he turned. He was always afraid of being arrested and cross-examined. She wanted him to enjoy a day of peace with them-just one in the whole year.
Question 14.
“He only stared at the young girl in boundless amazement.” What made the man with the rattraps react in this manner?
Answer:
The young girl told him after the Christmas dinner that the suit he wore was to be a Christmas present from her father. He did not have to return it. If he wanted to spend next Christmas Eve peacefully, without any evil befalling him, he would be welcomed back again. This amazed him.
Question 15.
Sum up the contents of the letter addressed to Miss Willmansson.
Answer:
The stranger did not want her to be embarrassed at the Christmas season with a thief. As she had been nice to him as if he were a captain, he would be nice to her as if he were a real captain. He asked her to returii the money to the old crofter. The rattrap was a present from a rat who would have been caught in the world’s rattrap if he had not been raised to captain. It was as captain that he got power to clear himself.
Answer the following questions in six to seven sentences each:
Question 1.
What is the theme of the story ’The Rattrap’? How has this theme been developed?
Answer:
The theme of the story is that most human beings are prone to fall into the trap of material benefit. However, every human being has an essential goodness that can be awakened through understanding and love. A human being has the tendency to redeem himself from dishonest ways.
The theme is developed with the help of the metaphor of the rattrap. The peddler of rattraps calls the world a big rattrap. The material benefits like riches and joys, shelter and food, heat and clothing are temptations that allure a person to fall into the rattrap of the world exactly as the bait of cheese and pork attract a rat to fall into the rattrap. Once someone takes the bait, the world closes in on him and then everything is lost.
The peddler is tempted by the thirty kronors of the old crofter. He steals the money. Now he is afraid of being caught and moves through the woods. It is the kind, sympathetic, loving and generous treatment given by Edla Willmansson that helps him get himself free from the rattrap of the world.
Question 2.
Give an account of the peddler’s meeting with the old crofter. How does the peddler conduct himself? What light does this episode throw on human nature?
Answer:
One dark evening the peddler reached a little gray cottage by the roadside. He knocked on the door to ask shelter for the night. The owner, an old man without wife or child, welcomed him. He was happy to get someone to talk to in his loneliness. He served him hot porridge for supper and gave him tobacco for his pipe. Then he played cards with him till bedtime.
The host told the peddler that in his days of prosperity, he worked on land at Ramsjo Ironworks. Now his cow supported him. He sold her milk at the creamery every day. He showed the peddler the thirty kronor notes he got as payment that month. Then he hung the leather pouch on a nail in the window frame. Next morning the crofter went to milk the cow, and the peddler went away.
However, he returned after half an hour, broke the windowpane, took the money out of the leather pouch and hung it back on the nail. This episode shows that in loneliness, human beings crave for company, for social bonding. Secondly, temptations can overpower the greatest philosopher. The peddler who calls the world a rattrap is himself tempted by thirty kronor.
Question 3.
How did the peddler feel after robbing the crofter? What course did he adopt and how did he react to the new situation? What does his reaction highlight?
Answer:
Having robbed his generous host, the peddler felt quite pleased with his smartness. He did not feel any qualms of conscience that he had abused the confidence reposed in him by the crofter. The selfish wretch thought only of his own safety. He realised the danger of being caught by the police with the stolen thirty kronor on his person. Hence, he decided to discontinue walking on the public highway and turn off the road, into the woods.
During the first few hours, the woods caused him no difficulty. Later on, it became worse as it was a big and confusing forest. The paths twisted back and forth. He kept on walking but did not come to the end of the wood. He realised that he had only been walking around in the same part of the forest. The forest closed in upon him like an impenetrable prison from which he could never escape.
The reaction of the peddler highlights the predicament of human nature. Temptations lead to evil. The fruits- of evil seem pleasant at first, but they deprive man of his goodness and push him into the maze of the world which holds a vice-like grip on him.
Question 4.
(i) ‘The blacksmiths glanced only casually and indifferently at the intruder.’
(ii) ‘The ironmaster did not follow the example of the blacksmiths who had hardly deigned to look at the stranger.’ What do these attitudes reveal? How does the forge-episode help to develop the story? What is its implication?
Answer:
The blacksmiths display the typical attitude of manual workers and labourers for whom work is the first priority and parasites on human society are drags on the fruit of their labour. The master blacksmith nods a haughty consent without honouring the intruder with a single word.
Evidently, he regards the tramp as insignificant. The ironmaster, who is on his nightly round of inspection, behaves differently. He walks closely up to him and looks him over carefully. Then he removes his slouch hat to get a better view of his face. In the uncertain light of the furnace, he mistakes the stranger for his old regimental comrade and requests him to go home with him. When the stranger declines the invitation, the ironmaster sends his daughter to persuade him to spend Christmas Eve with them.
Thus the forge episode helps to develop the story. The episode highlights the difference in the reactions of various persons to the same set of circumstances. This reveals the shades of human nature. It shows that even the person with best discernment may commit an error of judgement.
Question 5.
Bring out the contrast in the ironmaster’s attitude and behaviour towards the stranger before and after he realises his mistake.
Answer:
The ironmaster is moved to see his old regimental comrade in a pitiable state. He considers it a mistake on his part to have resigned from the regiment. He insists that his old comrade will go home with him. As the stranger declines the invitation, he thinks that the man feels embarrassed because of his miserable clothing. He explains that he does not have such a fine home that he cannot show himself there.
He requests the stranger to provide company to him and his daughter for Christmas. When the stranger refuses thrice, he sends his daughter, with a big fur coat to persuade him. Just before breakfast on Christmas Eve, he thinks of feeding him well and providing him some honourable piece of work. His behaviour undergoes a U-turn when he looks at the well-groomed stranger and realises his mistake.
He expresses his displeasure with a wrinkled brow and demands an explanation from the man. Though the peddler defends himself well saying he never pretended to be someone else, the ironmaster calls him dishonest and threatens to hand him over to the sheriff. When the metaphor of world being a rattrap softens him a bit, he asks the peddler to quit at once.
Question 6.
What impression do you form of Edla on reading the story ‘The Rattrap’?
Answer:
Miss Edla Willmansson is the eldest daughter of the owner of the Ramsjo Ironworks. She is not pretty, but modest and quite shy. She is quite obedient and visits the forge at the behest of her father. She has a wonderful power of observation and takes quick judgement. From the stranger’s frightened looks, she concludes that he is either a thief or a runaway convict. She uses her skills of persuasion to make the stranger agree to accompany her home.
Her compassionate looks, friendly manner and polite way of address help her. She tells her father that nothing about the man shows that once he was an educated man. She believes in the spirit of Christmas and intercedes on behalf of the stranger to persuade her father to let him stay and be happy.
She first makes a passionate plea and then argues that they should not chase away a person they had invited themselves and promised him Christmas cheer. Her dejection on learning that the peddler with rattraps was a thief reflects her sensitiveness. The gift of the captain makes her happy. It is her noble action that helps a thief redeem himself. In short, she is an intelligent, affectionate and kind, young girl.
Question 7.
Comment on the ending of the story ‘The Rattrap’.
Answer:
The story ‘The Rattrap’ has a very beautiful ending. It helps us to realise that all is not lost .for human beings who are prone to fall into the trap of material benefits. It is the protagonist of the story – the peddler with the rattraps – who coins the metaphor of the rattrap, falls himself in it on being tempted and ultimately redeems himself by renouncing the temptation.
His admission that he had been the thief, and the treatment he got as a captain, show how love and understanding can transform even a deprived soul. The story thus comes a full circle with the ending. All questions are answered, and no loose tags remain hanging.
The ending also pays tribute to the goodness of humanity here exhibited through Miss Edla Willmansson. The happy ending also arouses our optimism and belief in the essential goodness of man and other human virtues. Thus, it serves to inspire the readers to do noble acts.
Question 8.
Do you think the title of the story ‘The Rattrap’ is appropriate? Give reasons to support your answer.
Answer:
The story has an appropriate and suggestive title. It at once draws our attention to the central theme – the whole world is a big rattrap. This metaphor helps us to understand the human predicament. All the good things of the world are nothing but baits to tempt a person to fall into the rattrap. Through the character of the peddler, the writer drives home the idea that most human beings are prone to fall into the trap of material benefits.
The story begins with rattraps and ends with a rattrap as a present for someone who has helped a rat to get free from the rattrap. Even the middle of the story revolves round the rattrap. The actions of the peddler after he steals thirty kronor of the old crofter reveal the inner conflicts, tensions and lack of peace of a person who touches the bait of temptation. Renunciation of the temptation helps in redemption. Thus, we conclude that the title is apt and significant.
Reading Comprehension (Textual)
Read the following passages and select the most appropriate options as answers to the questions given below them:
Question 1.
The world had, of course, never been very kind to him, so it gave him unwonted joy to think ill of it in this way. It became a cherished pastime of his, during many dreary ploddings, to think of people he knew who had let themselves be caught in the dangerous snare, and of others who were still circling around the bait.
One dark evening as he was trudging along the road he caught sight of a little grey cottage by the roadside, and he knocked on the door to ask shelter for the night. Nor was he refused. Instead of the sour faces which ordinarily met him, the owner, who was an old man without wife or child, was happy to get someone to talk to in his loneliness. Immediately he put the porridge pot on the fire and gave him supper; then he carved off such a big slice from his tobacco roll that it was enough both for the stranger’s pipe and his own. Finally, he got out an old pack of cards and played ‘mjolis’ with his guest until bedtime.
Questions :
1. The writer thought ill of the world because ……………………… .
A. it had become a cherished pastime for him.
B. it had never been kind to him.
C. people had been caught in a dangerous snare.
D. None of these three
Answer:
C. people had been caught in a dangerous snare.
2. The meaning of the word ‘unwonted’ is ……………………. .
A. ‘unusual’.
B. ‘unexpected’.
C. ‘not needed’.
D. ‘unnecessary’.
Answer:
B. ‘unexpected’.
3. Here the words ‘sour faces’ suggest …………………….. .
A. ‘tasteless’.
B. ‘not sweet ones’.
C. ‘hateful’.
D. ‘ungenerous’.
Answer:
D. ‘ungenerous’.
4. One of the following things was not done by the host in the hospitality of his guest:
A. A card game was played.
B. A dinner was served.
C. Wine was served.
D. Tobacco was served.
Answer:
B. A dinner was served.
Question 2.
In those days the Ramsjo iron mill was owned by a very prominent ironmaster, whose greatest ambition was to ship out good iron to the market. He watched both night and day to see that the work was done as well as possible, and at this very moment, he came into the forge on one of his nightly rounds of inspection.
Naturally, the first thing he saw was the tall ragamuffin who had eased his way so close to the furnace that steam rose from his wet rags. The ironmaster did not follow the example of the blacksmiths, who had hardly deigned to look at the stranger. He walked close up to him, looked him over very carefully, then tore off his slouch hat to get a better view of his face.
“But of course it is you, Nils Olof!” he said. “How you do look!” The man with the rattraps had never before seen the ironmaster at Ramsjo and did not even know what his name was. But it occurred to him that if the fine gentleman thought he was an old acquaintance, he might perhaps throw him a couple of kronor. Therefore he did not want to undeceive him all at once.
Questions:
1. The ambition of the ironmaster was to …
A. start an iron mill on a large scale.
B. work out huge production.
C. send good iron to the market.
D. All of these three
Answer:
B. work out huge production.
2. Other blacksmiths usually did not pay attention to strangers because…
A. they kept very busy with their work.
B. they considered it below their status.
C. they thought that strangers are not reliable people.
D. they did not want to promote strangers.
Answer:
A. they kept very busy with their work.
3. The rattrap man did not want to reveal his identity because ……………………. .
A. he wanted shelter for that night at someplace where nobody knew him.
B. he did not want to be caught as he had stolen money.
C. he did not want to disclose his occupation as a rattrap maker.
D. Both A’ and ‘B’.
Answer:
D. Both A’ and ‘B’.
4. The meaning of the word ‘ragamuffin’ is ……………………….. .
A. ‘a rogue’.
B.‘a vagabond’.
C. ‘a rascal’.
D. ‘a ruffian’.
Answer:
B.‘a vagabond’.
Question 3.
One dark evening as he was trudging along the road he caught sight of a little grey cottage by the roadside, and he knocked on the door to ask shelter for the night. Nor was he refused. Instead of the sour faces which ordinarily met him, the owner, who was an old man without wife or child, was happy to get someone to talk to in his loneliness.
Immediately he put the porridge pot on the lire and gave him supper; then he carved off such a big slice from his tobacco roll that it was enough both for the stranger’s pipe and his own. Finally, he got out an old pack of cards and played ‘mjolis’ with his guest until bedtime.
The old man was just as generous with his confidences as with his porridge and tobacco. The guest was informed at once that in his days of prosperity his host had been a crofter at Ramsjo Ironworks and had worked on the land. Now that he was no longer able to do day labour, it was his cow which supported him. Yes, that bossy was extraordinary. She could give milk for the creamery every day, and last month he had received all of thirty kronor in payment. Questions:
1. The writer saw ……………………….. while trudging along the road.
A. an old man
B. a little grey cottage
C. a cave
D. a huge house
Answer:
B. a little grey cottage
2. In this passage ‘sour faces’ means ………………… .
A. Unlikable faces.
B. Faces with warm feelings.
C. Fearful faces.
D. Unhappy faces.
Answer:
A. Unlikable faces.
3. The old man showed his hospitability by ………………….. .
A. offering him wine.
B. serving him supper of porridge.
C. offering him tobacco and pipe to smoke.
D. Both ‘B’ and ‘C’
Answer:
D. Both ‘B’ and ‘C’
4. The old man earned his livelihood by…
A. doing day labour.
B. selling cow-milk.
C. working in the ironworks.
D. working on the land.
Answer:
B. selling cow-milk.
Grammar
Vocabulary
Fill in the blanks choosing the correct words given in the brackets and write the answers only:
Question 1.
(leather, wrinkled, window, hung, incredulous, bills, frame, picked out)
The stranger must have seemed … 1…., for the old man got up and went to the …2….. took down a …..3…… pouch which ….4…. on an in the very window …5…., and …6… three …7.. ten-kronor …8…
Answer:
1. incredulous
2. window
3. leather
4. hung
5. frame
6. picked out
7. wrinkled
8. bills
Question 2.
(glow, unusual, vagabonds, surely, sooty, shelter, forge, attracted)
…1… it was nothing …2... for poor …..3….. without any better …4… for the night to be …5… to the …6.. by the …7… of light which escaped through the …8… panes.
Answer:
1. Surely
2. unusual
3. vagabonds
4. shelter
5. attracted
6. forge
7. glow
8. sooty
Choose the correct meanings of the phrases/ idioms and rewrite the sentences:
(1) I don’t earn enough money to keep body and soul together, (to maintain fitness, to survive, to recover from illness)
(2) Several high-profile sponsors have turned on their heels following the athlete’s controversial statements.
(rejected, approved, left suddenly)
(3) Now that Mahesh is famous, I doubt he’ll deign to call his own mother, (condescend to, feel happy to, ignore to)
(4) I snuck away from the party when things started getting rowdy, (enjoyed, went away quietly and secretly, indulged myself in)
(5) You need to put flesh on the bones of this project, (add more details to, postpone for some time, lead to a great success)
Answer:
(1) I don’t earn enough money to survive.
(2) Several high-profile sponsors have left suddenly following the athlete’s controversial statements.
( 3 ) Now that Mahesh is famous, I doubt he’ll condescend to call his own mother.
(4) I went away quietly and secretly from the party when things started getting rowdy.
(5) You need to add more details to this project.
Rectification of Errors:
Question 1.
But half an hour later, the rattrap peddler stood again behind the door. He did not try getting in, however. He only went up to the window, smashed a pane, sticking in his hand, got hold of the pouch.
Answer:
| Errors | Corrections |
| latter | later |
| behind | before |
| getting | to get |
| sucking | stuck |
Question 2.
It was probably in spite of all this noise that the blacksmith did not notice as a man had opened the gate yet entered the forge unless he stood close up to the furnace.
Answer:
| In spite of | on account of |
| as | that |
| yet | and |
| unless | until |
Punctuation
Punctuate the following passage:
Why the devil did I take that fellow’s money he thought now I am sitting in the trap and will never get out of it
Answer:
“Why the devil did I take that fellow’s money?” he thought. “Now I am sitting in the trap and will never get out of it.”
Indirect Speech
Convert the following into Indirect Speech:
The daughter said, “I think he ought to stay with us today. I don’t want him to go.” And with that she went and closed the door. “What in the world are you doing?” said the father.
Answer:
The daughter told that she thought he ought to stay with them that day. Then she expressed her desire that she did not want him to go. And with that, she went and closed the door. The father asked irritably what in the world she was doing.
Transformation of Sentences
Rewrite as directed:
1. The business was not especially profitable, so he had to resort to both begging and petty thievery to survive. (Use ‘because’.)
2. The world had, of course, never been very kind to him. (Turn into Affirmative.)
3. The old man was just as generous with his confidences as with his porridge and tobacco. (Change the Degree.)
4. The crofter locked the door and put the key in his pocket. (Turn into Simple.)
5. In those days the Ramsjo iron mill was owned by a very prominent ironmaster. (Change the Voice.)
6. As soon as the young girl caught sight of him, she went up and lifted his hat. (‘No sooner… than’)
7. Either he has stolen something or else he has escaped from jail. (Use ‘if’.)
Answer:
1. He had to resort to both begging and petty thievery to survive because the business was not especially profitable.
2. The world had, of course, been very unkind to him.
3. The old man was not just more generous with his porridge and tobacco than with his confidences.
4. Locking the door, the crofter put the key in his pocket.
5. In those days a very prominent ironmaster owned the Ramsjo iron mill.
6. No sooner did the young girl catch sight of him than she went up and lifted his hat.
7. If he has not stolen something, he has escaped from jail.
The Rattrap Summary in English
The Rattrap Introduction:
Selma Ottilia Lovisa Lagerlof (20 November 1858-16 March 1940) was a Swedish author and teacher. She published her first novel, Gosta Berling’s Saga, at the age of 33. She was the first female writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, which she was awarded in 1909. Additionally, she was the first female to be granted membership in The Swedish Academy in 1914.
The Rattrap Summary:
A rattrap peddler went around selling small rattraps. His clothes were in rags. His cheeks were hollow. He had the look of a starved man. He made wire traps. He begged the material from stores and big farms. Sometimes he resorted to begging and a little stealing to survive. The world had never been kind to him. He had no home, no shelter.
The peddler led a lonely life. One day while he was thinking about his rattraps, an idea struck him. He thought that the world itself was a rattrap. As soon as anybody touched it, the trap closed on them. He was amused to think of some people who were already trapped, and some others who were trying to reach the bait in the trap. It was a cold evening in December.
He reached a cottage on the roadside. He knocked at the door and asked for a night’s shelter. The owner of the cottage was a lonely old crofter. He wanted someone to talk to. He welcomed the peddler. He gave the peddler hot porridge to eat, and tobacco to smoke. Then they played cards. The crofter was generous as well as trustful. He told the peddler that he had a cow and sold her milk to a creamery. He also told him that he received thirty kronor as payment the previous month. Then he took down a pouch and showed him the money. Then he put the money back in the pouch and hung it on a nail in the window frame.
Next morning the peddler left. The crofter locked his cottage and went away. The peddler came back to the cottage. He had been tempted to steal the money that hung like a bait in the window frame. He smashed the pane and stole the money. Now he thought it was -not safe to walk along the public highway. So he went into the woods. There he walked and walked but could not get out. He moved in circles. He was tired. He looked upon the forest as a rattrap in which he was caught. He thought his end was near. He lay down to die.
After a while, he heard regular thumping of a hammer’s strokes. He knew the sound was coming from Ramsjo Ironworks. He stood up and walked in the direction of the sound. He opened the gate of the ironworks and went into the forge. The owner came on his nightly rounds and noticed the ragged wretch near the furnace. The ironmaster looked intently at the peddler’s face.
He felt sure that the peddler was one of his old regimental comrades, Captain von Stahle who had fallen on evil days. He invited the peddler to go home with him for Christmas. But the peddler was alarmed. He thought it was risky for him to accept the offer. He firmly declined it. The ironmaster went home. The ironmaster sent his daughter Edla to persuade the peddler to come home. She spoke gently to him. The peddler felt confidence in her and agreed to go with her. On the way he was sorry to have stolen the crofter’s money that had put him in a trap.
The ironmaster was happy to have his old regimental comrade under his roof. He planned to feed him well and give him some respectable work. The servant cut the peddler’s hair, shaved him and bathed him. The peddler appeared wearing one of the ironmaster’s fine suits.
But when the ironmaster looked at him in daylight, he felt that he had made a mistake. The peddler was not Captain von Stahle. He thought that the man had deceived him. He even thought of handing him to the sheriff. The peddler said that he had not pretended to be what he was not. He had not been willing to go to the ironmaster’s house. Even then he was willing to put on his rags and leave.
He also told the ironmaster that the world was a rattrap, and he himself might one day be tempted by a big bait’ and get caught in the trap. The ironmaster told him to leave at once. Edla did not like her father’s asking the poor peddler to leave. She thought it was unfair to turn away the man whom they had invited. She wanted to have the joy of entertaining a homeless wanderer on Christmas Eve. She stopped the peddler and her father agreed to it.
Edla served food to the peddler. He was given Christmas presents which he thankfully received.