The Rattrap

By Selma Lagerlof

Selma Lagerlof (1858-1940) was a Swedish author and the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1909. She is celebrated for her imaginative storytelling and ability to weave folklore and realism, often set against the backdrop of rural Sweden.

“The Rattrap” is a short story that follows a poor peddler who sells rattraps. He believes life is like a giant rattrap, where people get caught by material temptations. After being taken in by a kind stranger, he faces a moral dilemma that ultimately leads to his transformation. The story explores themes of kindness, redemption, and the power of compassion to change lives.

Q: From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?

Ans. The peddler got the idea of the world being a rattrap from his own musings. As he wandered through the countryside, he thought about how the world, with all its riches, joys, and temptations, could be compared to a giant rattrap. It lures people with baits like wealth and pleasures, only to trap them when they fall for these temptations.

Q: Why was he amused by this idea?

Ans. He was amused by this idea because it gave him a sense of satisfaction to think of the world as a deceptive trap for others. It was ironic to him that while people strive for material wealth and pleasures, they are unknowingly getting trapped just like rats in a rattrap.

Q: 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 he received from the crofter. Being used to be treated with suspicion and hostility, he was pleasantly surprised when the crofter welcomed him warmly, offered him food, and engaged in friendly conversation.

Q: Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?

Ans. The crofter was lonely and needed someone to talk to. Living alone without any family, he found the peddler’s company a rare opportunity to enjoy some conversation and companionship. This was the reason why he was so friendly with the peddler without feeling any aversion.

Q: Why did he show the thirty kroner to the peddler?

Ans. The crofter showed the thirty kroner to the peddler to prove that he was not as poor as people might think. He wanted to boast about his good fortune of having made that money by selling the milk of his cow.

Q: Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?

Ans. No, the peddler did not respect the trust the crofter had placed in him. Instead, he betrayed it by stealing the thirty kroner from the crofter’s pouch when got the chance.

Q: What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?

Ans. After stealing the crofter’s money, the peddler realized he could not take the public highway as it might lead to his capture. While he tried to escape through the forest, he lost his way and found himself trapped in the confusing maze of the forest. This made him feel as if he had indeed fallen into the metaphorical rattrap of the world.

Q: Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?

Ans. The ironmaster mistook the peddler for an old regimental comrade, Captain von Stahle. Out of a sense of camaraderie and possibly pity, he spoke kindly to him and invited him home, thinking he needed help.

Q: Why did the peddler decline the invitation?

Ans. The peddler declined the ironmaster’s invitation because he feared that once he was in the ironmaster’s house, his real identity would be exposed, and he could be handed over to the police for his theft.

Q: What made the peddler accept Elda Willmansson’s invitation?

Ans. The peddler accepted Elda Willmansson’s invitation because she was compassionate and treated him with respect and dignity. Her kindness and sincere manner made him feel safe and reassured, unlike the ironmaster’s approach.

Q: What doubts did Elda have about the peddler?

Ans. Elda doubted that the man her father invited was actually his old comrade. She noticed the peddler’s hesitance and discomfort and suspected that he might not be who he claimed to be.

Q: When did the ironmaster realize his mistake?

Ans. The ironmaster realized his mistake when the peddler had been cleaned up and was dressed in one of his old uniforms. It became clear from the peddler’s appearance that he was not his comrade, Captain von Stahle.

Q: What did the peddler say in his defense when it was clear that he was not the person the ironmaster had thought he was?

Ans. When the ironmaster realized his mistake, the peddler defended himself by saying that he had never pretended to be anyone other than a poor trader. He argued that it was the ironmaster who had made the assumption and extended the invitation.

Q: Why did Elda still entertain the peddler even after she knew the truth about him?

Ans. Elda continued to entertain the peddler out of compassion. She believed that it was not right to turn out on Christmas Eve, especially after they had invited him to their home. She wanted him to feel safe and cared for, at least for one day.

Q: Why was Elda happy to see the gift left by the peddler?

Ans. Elda was happy to see the gift left by the peddler because it showed that her kindness had made a positive impact on him. The peddler had left behind the thirty kroner he had stolen, along with a note of thanks, indicating his change of heart.

Q: Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von Stahle?

Ans. The peddler signed himself as Captain von Stahle as a way of acknowledging the role that Elda had played in transforming him. It was his way of symbolically adopting a new identity, one that reflected his reformation and his desire to be a better person

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

Ans. The peddler initially interprets the crofter’s kindness as an opportunity to exploit him, which he does by stealing his money. When it comes to the ironmaster, he is suspicious and wary, sensing a trap. However, Elda’s genuine kindness touches him deeply and leads him to reconsider his cynical view of the world.

Q: 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. The ironmaster is quick to judge and dismiss the peddler when he finds out his true identity, showing a lack of compassion. In contrast, Elda is more empathetic and understanding. She treats the peddler with dignity, regardless of who he is, which shows her genuine kindness and depth of character.

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

Ans. Some surprising instances include the crofter’s unusual friendliness towards the peddler, the ironmaster’s sudden change from kindness to anger when he learns the truth, and Elda’s continued hospitality even after learning that the peddler is not who they thought he was.

Q: What made the peddler finally change his ways?

Ans. The peddler finally changed his ways due to Elda Willmansson’s kindness and understanding. Her compassionate treatment made him realize that there is goodness in the world, and it inspired him to become a better person.

Q: How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human predicament?

Ans. The metaphor of the rattrap highlights how people are often ensnared by their greed and desires, much like rats in a trap. It shows how material temptations can lead to moral downfalls, reflecting the human condition and the struggle between right and wrong.

Q: The peddler comes out as a person with a subtle sense of humor. How does this serve in lightening the seriousness of the theme of the story and also endear him to us?

Ans. The peddler’s humor, especially in his internal commentary about the world being a rattrap, adds a layer of irony to the narrative. His self-awareness and wit make him a more relatable and sympathetic character, lightening the story’s philosophical themes.

Q: The reader’s sympathy is with the peddler right from the beginning of the story. Why is this so? Is the sympathy justified?

Ans. The reader sympathizes with the peddler because he is a victim of poverty, loneliness, and societal neglect. He is portrayed as a man who has fallen on hard times, making him steal occasionally but his act does not stem from greed. He only steals petty things just to survive. His view that the world is a “rattrap” mirrors his sense of entrapment in life’s hardships. The sympathy is justified because his actions are driven by desperation rather than evil intent. His transformation at the end, prompted by Elda’s kindness, shows his potential for goodness.

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

Ans. Loneliness is a significant theme in “The Rattrap”. The crofter, living alone, welcomes the peddler warmly, seeking companionship for even a short time. Similarly, Elda shows empathy toward the peddler, understanding his need for acceptance and kindness. Both characters’ actions highlight the human need for connection and how reaching out to others can bring comfort, healing, and change, as seen in the peddler’s transformation after experiencing genuine kindness.

Q: 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?

Ans. Many real-life stories show how kindness can change lives. For example, a homeless man, after being offered shelter and a job by a kind stranger, decides to turn his life around, believing in the goodness of people once more. In the story, Elda’s kindness toward the peddler has a similar effect. Initially cynical and distrustful, he undergoes a transformation, realizing that not everyone is out to trap or exploit him. This motivates him to leave the stolen money and change his ways.

Q: The story is both entertaining and philosophical. Discuss.

Ans. The story entertains with its intriguing plot twists, such as the mistaken identity of the ironmaster and the peddler’s initial trickery. At the same time, it is deeply philosophical, reflecting on human nature, the concept of life as a ‘rattrap,’ and the moral choices people face. The story uses the metaphor of the rattrap to explore themes like greed, temptation, and redemption, suggesting that kindness and empathy are keys to escaping life’s traps and finding true fulfillment.