The Rattrap questions and answers: Ncert Solutions for Class 12 English flamingo Chapter 4 The Rattrap
| Textbook | Ncert |
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | English flamingo |
| Chapter | Chapter 4 |
| Chapter Name | The Rattrap ncert solutions |
| Category | Ncert Solutions |
| Medium | English |
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The Rattrap 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 1: 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 him company in his loneliness and helps him pass time. He wants to get a couple of kronors 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.
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 2: The ironmaster is rash, whereas his daughter is logical, kind, and considerate. In a hazy light, he misidentifies the stranger as an old regimental comrade. He invites him to his home and takes care of his feeding, clothing, and other needs. When he sees him in broad daylight, he accuses him of being dishonest, demands an explanation, and threatens to summon the sheriff.
His daughter is more perceptive. She notices the stranger’s fear and suspects him of being a thief or a fugitive prisoner. Despite this, she treats him with gentleness, kindness, and friendliness. Even though she is aware of the mistake in identity, she treats him with respect.
Question 3: The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to others’ behaviour. Pick out instances of these surprises.
Answer 3: The peddler is surprised at the warm welcome, generous supper, cheerful company, and intimate confidence of the crofter. The ironmaster addresses the peddler as Captain von Stahle. He is surprised when the ironmaster calls him “Nils Olof. The ironmaster assumes his declining the invitation is a result of embarrassment caused by his miserable clothing. The peddler’s comparison of the world to a rattrap makes the ironmaster laugh and he drops the idea of calling in the sheriff.
The peddler looks at Edla in boundless amazement when she tells him that the suit is a Christmas present. She also invites him to spend next Christmas with them. She does all this even after knowing the mistake about his identity. The crofter is robbed by his guest, the rattrap peddler, in return for his hospitality.
Question 4: What made the peddler finally change his ways?
Answer 4: The experience of the peddler at the manor of the Willmanssons made him change his ways. Earlier, he had neither known nor come across a true sympathiser or well-wisher. He had no friend to steer him on the right path.
Though the crofter had been very hospitable to him and even the ironmaster had almost offered him help, they both 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.
Question 5: How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human predicament?
Answer 5: 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 6: The peddler does not come across as a humorous person, but there is a subtle sense of humor in the way he sees the world as a giant rattrap. He is ecstatic about this thought because it allows him to think ‘ill’ of the world that isn’t kind to him. It is clear that whenever he is caught off guard, in the web of deception spun by his cunning mind, he hides behind the thought that the world is a rattrap and he is merely prey. As a result, he lightens the mood and theme of the story and endears us to him.
The Rattrap Think As you Read:
Question 1: From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?
Answer 1: 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.
Question 2: Why was he amused by this idea?
Answer 2: The peddler believed that the world with all its riches and joys, food and shelter appears as a rattrap to tempt people. The world had never been kind to him. It gave him unwonted joy to think ill of it. So he was amused to think about the people who were already caught in the trap and others circling around the bait.
Question 3: Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter?
Answer 3: 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 4: The crofter was a lonely fellow who lived alone in a little gray cottage by the roadside. He had no wife or children, so he longed for a company or friends. So, when the peddler reached his doorstep, he was happy to find someone to talk to and felt happy to be relieved of his boredom and monotony. This is the reason he was so talkative and friendly with the peddler.
Question 5: Why did he show the thirty kroner to the peddler?
Answer 5: 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.
Question 6: Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?
Answer 6: No, the peddler did not respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter. In fact, he betrayed his trust by robbing the thirty kroner. But somehow, later in the story, his conscience was awakened by his stay with the Willmansons and their kindness and he decided to return the money.
The Rattrap Think As you Read:
Question 1: What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?
Answer 1: After stealing the money from the crofter, the peddler tried to escape through the forest but soon lost his way. He was left in despair and he recollected his own thoughts on the world being a giant rattrap. A sudden realisation came upon him and he felt as if he had finally got himself caught in the rattrap because he had 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, after coming to know about the truth of the peddler, threatened to get him arrested. The rattrap seller strongly realised that the worldly bait had, once more, tempted and trapped him.
Question 2: Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?
Answer 2: In the uncertain reflection from furnace, the ironmaster mistook the peddler as his old regimental comrade, Captain Von Stahle. His condition was very miserable. So being an old acquaintance he wanted to help him. He also wanted his company on Christmas Eve. So the ironmaster spoke kindly to the peddler and invited him home.
Question 3: Why did the peddler decline the invitation?
Answer 3: The peddler knew that the ironmaster had mistaken him for his old regimental comrade. Secondly, he had stolen money—thirty kronor—from him. Going to the ironmaster’s residence would be like entering the lion’s den. So, he declined the invitation.
The Rattrap Think As you Read:
Question 1: What made the peddler accept Edla Willmansson’s invitation?
Answer 1: 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: What doubts did Edla have about the peddler?
Answer 2: 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.
Question 3: When did the ironmaster realise his mistake?
Answer 3: The next morning, the stranger was cleaned and well-dressed. The valet had bathed him, cut his hair, and shaved him. He was led to the dining room for breakfast. The ironmaster saw him in broad daylight. It was impossible to mistake him for an old acquaintance now. Then the ironmaster realised his mistake and threatened to call the Sheriff.
Question 4: 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 4: The peddler defended himself by arguing time and again that he never said that he was a captain or the old comrade of the ironmaster. In fact, he had repeatedly declined the ironmaster’s invitation to spend the Christmas night at his manor.
Question 5: Why did Edla still entertain the peddler even after she knew the truth about him?
Answer 5: Edla was a lady with a kind and sympathetic heart and was moved by the plight of the peddler. She had requested her father to allow him to spend one day in peace as a respite from the struggle he had endured round the year. Her principles did not allow her to throw the man out of her house especially when they had promised him a Christmas cheer. Moreover, she had been in high spirits that morning, thinking of the ways to help the tramp. Therefore she entertained the peddler even after knowing the truth about him.
The Rattrap Think As you Read:
Question 1: Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?
Answer 1: When Edla opened the package of gift left by the peddler she felt very happy. She found a small rattrap with three wrinkled ten kronor notes and a letter addressed to her. He had left the 30 kronors for its rightful owner. He was not a thief but his circumstances made him so. She was happy to note that after all he had changed.
Question 2: Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von Stahle?
Answer 2: The peddler was a vagabond. When he was invited by the ironmaster, he behaved like a real captain. In this role, he raised himself above the petty temptation. Kindness and hospitality shown by Edla had transformed him completely. He wanted to behave nicely with them.So he signed himself as Captain Von Sthale.
The Rattrap 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 1:
| Labels | Contexts |
| Peddler | As he peddles or sells the rattraps. |
| Vagabond | Used to describe his nomadic lifestyle. |
| Stranger | Used to refer to the peddler when he was at the crofter’s place, possibly to emphasise the fact that the crofter was compassionate to an unknown man |
| Guest | He is treated with compassion, especially at the ironmaster’s house where he was invited to spend the Christmas. |
| Intruder | When the peddler trespasses and enters the iron mill. |
| 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. |
| Ragamuffin | When the ironmaster first notices him wrapped in rags and in the state to utter destitution |
| Old regimental comrader | The ironmaster mistakes him for his old friend when he first meets the peddler at his iron mill. |
| Rat | The peddler calls himself a rat and thanks Edla for helping him escape the rattrap with her kindness and compassion. |
| The 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. |
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 2: Other words are lurch, stumble, slog, hike, clump, traipse and stomp.