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Think as you read

Q1. 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 when he was thinking about his own business of selling rattraps. He realised that the world offered things like riches, joys, and food as bait, just like a rattrap offers cheese and pork.

Q2. Why was he amused by this idea?
Answer: He was amused by this idea because the world had never been kind to him. So, it gave him “unwonted joy” to think ill of it. He enjoyed thinking about people he knew who had been caught in the “snare” and others who were still circling around the bait.

Q3. Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter?
Answer: No, the peddler did not expect such hospitality. He was accustomed to being met with “sour faces” and being refused shelter. The crofter, being a lonely man, was happy to get someone to talk to, which was an unusual kindness for the peddler.

Q4. Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?
Answer: The crofter was so talkative and friendly with the peddler because he was an old man who lived alone and was happy to get someone to talk to in his loneliness. He was also proud of his prosperity from his cow and wanted to share his story and his riches.

Q5. Why did he show the thirty kronor to the peddler?
Answer: He showed the thirty kronor to the peddler because the peddler seemed “incredulous” or disbelieving when the crofter told him about the money. The crofter wanted to prove that he was telling the truth.

Q6. 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. He waited until the crofter had left and then returned to the cottage, smashed a window pane, and stole the thirty kronor from the leather pouch.

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Think as you read

Q1. What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?
Answer: The peddler realised he had fallen into a rattrap when he got lost in the big and confusing forest. He had stolen the thirty kronor, which was the bait, and now he was trapped. He saw the forest with its trunks and branches, its thickets and fallen logs, closing in upon him like an “impenetrable prison.”

Q2. 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, Captain von Stahle. He felt sympathy for his “friend,” believing he had fallen on hard times.

Q3. Why did the peddler decline the invitation?
Answer: The peddler declined the invitation because he was alarmed by it. He knew the ironmaster had made a mistake and that if he went to the manor house, it would be like “throwing himself voluntarily into the lion’s den.” He feared that the truth about the stolen money would come out and he would be in trouble.

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Think as you read

Q1. What made the peddler accept Edla Willmansson’s invitation?
Answer: The peddler accepted Edla Willmansson’s invitation because of her compassionate and friendly manner. She looked at him with sympathy and promised that he would be allowed to leave as freely as he came. Her kindness made him feel confident and safe enough to trust her.

Q2. What doubts did Edla have about the peddler?
Answer: Edla’s doubts about the peddler were that “either he has stolen something or else he has escaped from jail.” She noticed that he was afraid and seemed to have something to hide, which led her to this conclusion.

Q3. When did the ironmaster realise his mistake?
Answer: The ironmaster realised his mistake the next morning, on Christmas Eve, after the peddler had been bathed, shaved, and dressed in a suit of his clothes. In the broad daylight, he saw that it was impossible to mistake the man for his old acquaintance.

Q4. 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: The peddler said that it was not his fault and that he never pretended to be anything but a poor trader. He had “pleaded and begged to be allowed to stay in the forge.” He also argued that no harm had been done and that he would simply put on his rags and leave.

Q5. Why did Edla still entertain the peddler even after she knew the truth about him?
Answer: Edla still entertained the peddler because she believed it was a mistake to “chase away a human being whom we have asked to come here, and to whom we have promised Christmas cheer.” She also felt empathy for him, as he was a wanderer who was always “chased away” and “afraid of being arrested.” She wanted him to enjoy a day of peace with them, “just one in the whole year.”

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Think as you read

Q1. Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?
Answer: Edla was happy to see the gift because it was a sign that her kindness had worked and that the peddler had changed his ways. It was proof that the goodness in a human being can be awakened through understanding and love. The gift and the letter were a gesture of gratitude and showed his repentance.

Q2. Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von Stahle?
Answer: The peddler signed himself as Captain von Stahle because it was Edla’s kindness, believing him to be an honourable captain, that had given him the power to “clear himself” from the temptation of the “rattrap.” He wanted to thank her by assuming the identity she had given him and to show that he was no longer a thief.

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Understanding the text

Q1. How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter, the ironmaster, and his daughter?
Answer: The peddler interprets the crofter’s kindness as an opportunity to steal. He misuses the crofter’s hospitality. The ironmaster’s kindness, on the other hand, makes him afraid because he fears being exposed. But Edla’s kindness and hospitality touch his heart deeply. He sees her genuine compassion, which makes him change his ways.

Q2. 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 is impulsive and quick to act, as seen when he mistakes the peddler for his old friend and immediately invites him home. When he discovers his mistake, he becomes harsh and wants to send the peddler away. In contrast, Edla is kind, compassionate, and thoughtful. She wants to help the peddler despite knowing his true identity.

Q3. The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to others’ behaviour. Pick out instances of these surprises.
Answer:

• The crofter unexpectedly welcomes the peddler and treats him with unusual kindness.
• The ironmaster mistakes the peddler for his old friend and invites him home.
• The peddler, instead of refusing rudely, accepts Edla’s invitation because of her compassion.
• Edla decides to let the peddler stay even after learning the truth about him.
• The biggest surprise is the peddler leaving behind the stolen money and a letter of thanks, signing himself as “Captain von Stahle.”

Q4. What made the peddler finally change his ways?
Answer: The genuine kindness, compassion, and trust shown by Edla Willmansson made the peddler change his ways. She treated him with dignity and gave him the confidence to believe in his own worth.

Q5. How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human predicament?
Answer: The metaphor of the rattrap symbolises how worldly temptations—riches, power, pleasures—are like bait that traps human beings. Just as rats are lured into a trap by cheese or meat, people get trapped in the pursuit of material things and lose their freedom. The peddler himself gets caught in this trap when he steals the money but later frees himself through kindness.

Q6. The peddler comes out as a person with a capacity to change. Do you agree? Discuss with examples from the story.
Answer: Yes, the peddler shows he has the capacity to change. Initially, he is a thief and deceives the crofter. But later, the kindness and compassion shown by Edla transform him. He redeems himself by returning the stolen money and leaving behind a heartfelt letter. This shows that even those who go astray can change if treated with love and dignity.

Talking about the text

Q1. 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 reader sympathises with the peddler because he is poor, lonely, and neglected by society. Even when he steals, the story portrays his actions as a result of his circumstances. The sympathy is justified because ultimately he is shown as a human being capable of redemption.

Q2. The story also focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond with others. Explain.
Answer: The crofter’s friendliness shows how lonely he is. The peddler himself is a wanderer without family or friends. Edla’s kindness reflects the need to connect with others and treat them with compassion. The story suggests that human beings, despite their flaws, long for companionship and understanding.

Q3. The story is both entertaining and philosophical. Discuss.
Answer: The story is entertaining because it has suspense, unexpected twists, and interesting characters. At the same time, it is philosophical because it conveys a deep message about human life through the metaphor of the rattrap. It shows the dangers of greed and the power of kindness and redemption.

Working with words

Q1. The man selling rattraps is referred to by many terms such as ‘peddler’, ‘stranger’, etc. Pick out the terms that are used in the text to refer to the peddler. How do these labels emphasise the peddler’s identity in the story?
Answer: The terms used for the peddler are: rattrap peddler, stranger, vagabond, ragamuffin, tramp, and rat. These terms highlight his poverty, homelessness, and social neglect. They show that he has no fixed identity or status in society, until kindness gives him a new identity as “Captain von Stahle.”

Q2. You came across the words, ‘plods’, ‘impenetrable’, ‘hunger gleamed in his eyes’, and ‘unwonted joy’ in the text. These words have appeared in the story in a particular context. Now, look up these words in a dictionary and find out the precise meaning. Then use them in your own sentences.
Answer:

• Plods: walks slowly and heavily. Sentence: The farmer plods home after a long day’s work.
• Impenetrable: that cannot be passed through. Sentence: The soldiers found themselves before an impenetrable fortress.
• Hunger gleamed in his eyes: a look of desperate desire for food. Sentence: The beggar looked at the bread with hunger gleaming in his eyes.
• Unwonted: unusual or rare. Sentence: She showed an unwonted interest in mathematics today.

Noticing form

Q1. He dropped it (the rat trap) on the table and stood up.
Q2. Then he stooped down and took out a rattrap from his bag.
Q3. He leaned forward and struck a match.
Q4. The man raised himself.

(These sentences highlight how simple past tense is used to narrate actions in a sequence.)

Thinking about language

Q1. Notice the words in bold in the following sentence: “The fire boy shovelled charcoal into the maw of the furnace with great efficiency.” Do you think the word ‘maw’ is used appropriately here? Replace it with ‘mouth’ or ‘opening’ and see which one fits better.
Answer: Yes, ‘maw’ is appropriate here as it gives the furnace a lifelike quality, as if it were a hungry monster. ‘Mouth’ or ‘opening’ would work literally, but they would not have the same effect.