CH-4 (FLAMINGO)

THE RATTRAP
Notice these expressions in the text. Infer their meanings from the context.
Ans:
 keep body and soul together - to manage to keep alive; to survive
 hunger gleamed in his eyes - feeling so hungry that the expression shows on one's face
 plods along the road - moving along the road slowly but deliberately, to walk with a heavy feet
 unwonted joy - unusual pleasure or happiness
 impenetrable prison - impassable confinement
 nodded a haughty consent - indifferent agreement
 eased his way - moved himself slowly and carefully
 fallen into a line of thought - agreement of thoughts
 things have gone downhill - to decline or grow worse and worse

1. From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?
Ans: During one of his usual plodding, the peddler thought on the subject of rattraps. It presented him with
the idea of the world being a rattrap and he grew fond of thinking this way.

2. Why was he amused by this idea?

Ans: The peddler was amused by the idea of the world being a giant rattrap because he was never treated
kindly by the world. Therefore, he harboured hard feelings for it and loved 'to think ill of it' by comparing it
with a giant rattrap.

3. Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter?
Ans: No, the peddler did not expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter. This was
because usually he was greeted by 'sour' and unfriendly faces whenever he knocked on doors and requested
for shelter.

4. Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?
Ans: The crofter was a lonely fellow who lived on his own in a little gray cottage by the roadside. He had no
wife or children, and craved company and friends. So, one day when the peddler turned up at his doorstep,
he was happy to find someone to talk to, to be relieved of his boredom and monotony. This is the reason he
was so talkative and friendly with the peddler.

5. Why did he show the thirty kroner to the peddler?

Ans: The crofter was a naive and trusting man who craved company more than anything else. He wanted to
share his
joy of earning the money with someone. He got his chance when the peddler came along. Moreover, he
thought that the peddler did not believe him, so he showed the peddler the thirty kronor bills that he kept in
a leather pouch.

6. Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?
Ans: No, the peddler did not respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter. In fact, he betrayed his
trust by robbing the thirty kronors from him. However, later in the story, his conscience was awakened by
his stay with the Willmanssons and he decided to return the money.

7. What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?
Ans: After stealing the money, the peddler tried to escape through the forest but soon got lost. Left in
despair, he recollected his own thoughts on the world being a giant rattrap. A sudden realisation came to him
that he had finally got himself caught in the rattrap because he allowed himself to be tempted by the bait, the
thirty kronor bills. Similarly, on his way to the ironmaster's home, he felt himself caught in the trap.
He was again haunted by such thoughts when the ironmaster, on realising the truth about the peddler,
threatened to get him arrested. The rattrap seller expressed himself strongly realising that the worldly bait
had, once more, tempted and trapped him.

8. Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?
Ans: The ironmaster of the Ramsjo Ironworks spoke kindly to the peddler because he had mistaken him for
an old regimental comrade, Captain von Stahle. The ironmaster wanted to help the peddler, not only in
regaining his health but also in taking up a new vocation. Moreover, the ironmaster was a lonely fellow who
lived with his oldest daughter after the death of his wife and the departure of his sons. As he longed for some
company on the Christmas Eve, he invited the peddler to his home.

9. Why did the peddler decline the invitation?

Ans: The peddler was alarmed at the idea of spending the night at the manor of the ironmaster, of the
Ramsjo Ironworks. He had not made an attempt to correct the ironmaster when he was mistaken for an old
acquaintance. Moreover, he was anxious about the fact that he had the stolen thirty kronor bills with him,
and accepting the invitation "would be like throwing himself voluntarily into the lion's den". Therefore, the
peddler thought it better to decline the invitation.

10. What made the peddler accept Edla Willmansson's invitation?

Ans: By his frightened look, Edla guessed that the peddler had either stolen something or has escaped
prison. So she hinted an assurance that he would be free to leave whenever he wanted. Being reassured, he
accepted the invitation.

11. What doubts did Edla have about the peddler?

Ans: When Edla went to the iron mill to fetch the peddler, she noticed that he was frightened. She had
doubts that the peddler had stolen something or had escaped prison. His appearance and behaviour also left
her in doubts whether he was actually an educated man, as claimed by her father.

12.When did the ironmaster realise his mistake?

Ans: The ironmaster realised his mistake the next day when the peddler turned up at breakfast. The valet
had bathed the peddler, cut his hair, shaved him and given him clothes. The ironmaster realised that he had
been deceived in recognising the person because of the reflection of the furnace, the previous night.

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?
Ans: To defend himself, the peddler argued that he had never said that he was a captain or the old comrade
of the ironmaster. In fact, he had repeatedly declined the invitation to spend the Christmas at the manor.

14. Why did Edla still entertain the peddler even after she knew the truth about him?
Ans: Edla had a kind and sympathetic heart that was pained by the plight of the poor peddler. She requested
her father to allow him to spend one day with them in peace as a respite from the struggle he had to endure
round the year. Her principles did not allow her to throw this man out of her house on the Christmas Eve
especially when they had already promised him a “Christmas cheer”. Moreover, she had been in high spirits
that morning thinking of the ways in which she could help the tramp. Therefore, even after knowing the
truth, Edla wanted to entertain the peddler.

15. Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?
Ans: Edla showed great trust in him by letting him stay at their manor on the Christmas Eve. But the news
about the robbery had left her dejected. So she was overjoyed when she reached home to find the package
and the letter left by the peddler. This gesture of appreciation from the peddler made her happy.

16. Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von Stahle?
Ans: Throughout his life, the peddler had never known respect. He was always treated coldly by the world.
For the first time in his life, he was honoured and respected as if he were a captain. Even after the truth was
exposed, the daughter continued to treat him in a similar way. The way he was treated encouraged him to
behave in a like manner. He signed the letter as Captain von Stahle so as to underline the impact of Edla's
goodness on him.

17. How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter, the
ironmaster and his daughter?
Ans: 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.

18. 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?
Ans: 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. We also find that while the father was impulsive and
reckless in nature, the daughter's behaviour was more mature and controlled.

19. What made the peddler finally change his ways?

Ans: The experience of the peddler at the manor of the Willmanssons made the peddler change his ways.
Earlier he had never known a true sympathiser or well-wisher. He had no friend to steer him on the right
path. Though the
crofter was hospitable to him and even the ironmaster had almost offered him help, they failed to leave any
impact on him. It was Edla who, through her genuine care and understanding, was finally able to change the
peddler for the better.

20.How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human predicament?
Ans: 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.

21. 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?
Ans: 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 pleased by this thought of his because it
provides him with the opportunity of thinking 'ill' 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.

22.The reader's sympathy is with the peddler right from the beginning of the story. Why is this so? Is the
sympathy justified?
Ans: From the beginning, the rattrap seller is shown as a victim of his situation and not a downright evil
character. The peddler had to resort to beggary and stealing because his business is not profitable enough to
make both ends meet. His condition of penury does not allow him to be fully righteous. Moreover, we find
that he lacks friends and guide to steer him in the right path. The sympathy is justified because in the end we
find out that the peddler is capable of appreciating genuine goodness and hospitality. When he is treated
with respect and kindness, he reciprocates the same in the best way he can.

23. The story also focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond with others.
Ans: 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.

24. The story is both entertaining and philosophical - Explain

Ans: The story is told in the form of a fairy tale with a happy ending. The narrative is interesting with many
surprises and attention-grabbing dialogues. The twists and the unexpected reactions of the characters often
astonish the reader making the story entertaining. However, the author has carefully managed to weave
philosophical elements into the storyline. The rattrap peddler's comparison of the whole world with a giant
rattrap makes this an interesting commentary on how such people end up getting trapped in the giant chasm.
The story also makes an observation on the inherent goodness of people. It also showcases how goodness
and kindness shown by some people can change others' perspective