NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo - Prose Chapter 4 - The Rattrap
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Text Book Questions :-
Notice these expressions in the text. Infer their meaning from the context.
(a) Keep body and soul together—to survive/live.
(b) Plods along the road—walk wearily along the road.
(c) Impenetrable prison—inescapable prison (here forest).
(d) Eased his way—easily made his way.
(e) Things have gone downhill—to fall in fortune.
(f) Hunger gleamed in his eyes—starvation reflected in his eyes.
(g) Unwonted joy—unusual joy.
(h) Nodded a haughty consent—arrogantly agreeing for something.
(i) Fallen into a line of thought—possess a particular idea or way of thinking
Think as you Read :-
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 the peddler amused by this idea?
Ans. The peddler was amused by the idea of the world being a giant rattrap as he was never treated very kindly by the world. Therefore, he developed hard feelings for this harsh world 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 had received from the crofter. This was because he was generally greeted by harsh, sour and unfriendly faces whenever he had 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 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.
5. Why did he show the thirty kroner to the peddler?
Ans. The crofter was a simple and trusting man who craved for company more than anything else. He wanted to share his joy of earning the money with someone. He got this chance when the peddler turned up at his house one day. Moreover, thinking that the peddler did not believe him, he showed the peddler the thirty kronor bills that he had 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 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.
7. What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?
Ans. 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.
8. Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?
Ans. The ironmaster of the Ramsjö Ironworks spoke kindly to the peddler because he had mistaken him for an old regimental comrade, Captain Von Stahle. So, 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 someone’s 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 and request of the ironmaster of spending the night at his manor of the Ramsjö Ironworks, who also happened to be an ex-army man. He did not make any attempt to correct the ironmaster when he was mistaken for an old acquaintance. Moreover, he was more worried 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. Looking at the frightened expressions on the peddler’s face, Edla guessed that the peddler had either stolen something or had escaped prison. So she hinted an assurance that he would be free to leave whenever he wanted. Reassured by Edla’s guarantee, 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 either 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 for breakfast. The valet had bathed the peddler, cut his hair, shaved him and given him clothes. The ironmaster thought that he had been deceived in recognising the person because of the shade 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. 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.
14. Why did Edla still entertain the peddler even after she knew the truth about him?
Ans. 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.
15. Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?
Ans. Edla had shown great trust in the peddler by letting him stay at their manor on the Christmas Eve but the news about the robbery of thirty kroner at the crofter’s cottage 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. The peddler had never received respect honoured throughout his life. He was always treated coldly by the world. For the first time in his life, he was being honoured and respected. Even after the truth was exposed, the daughter of the ironmaster treated him as she did before. The treatment he received, encouraged him to behave in the similar manner. He signed as Captain von Stahle so as to underline the impact of Edla’s goodness to him.
Understanding the Text :-
1. How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown to him by the crofter, the
ironmaster and his daughter ?
Ans. The different ways in which he repaid the three people corresponded to the way he interpreted the kindness of the three people. The peddler realised that for the crofter it was his craving for a company that made him offer his hospitality. The ironmaster’s hospitality was limited to his acquaintances. It was only the daughter who showed genuine goodness. He was touched by Edla’s kindness and it made him act differently. He repaid her good act with a gesture of true gratitude.
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?
Ans. Edla and her father were individuals of different natures. Edla had more convincing power than her father and was able to persuade the peddler to accept the invitation. We also read that the ironmaster’s hospitability was limited to his old comrade. But, the daughter’s heart was pained by the plight of the peddler and so she continued to treat him well even after the truth about his identity was revealed. Again, after coming to know about the robbery of the crofter’s money at the prayer service at church, 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 behaviour of the daughter was more mature and controlled.
3. The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to other’s behaviour. Pick out instances of these surprises
Ans. The first instance is the hospitality of crofter. The rattrap seller who was in a habit of being shoed away was surprised at the friendly behaviour of the crofter. He was also surprised at the sudden invitation of the ironmaster (at his mill where the peddler had put up to take shelter at night) to spend the Christmas Eve at his manor. Later, the ironmaster was also shocked to realise his mistake in recognising the peddler, the next day. Another unexpected reaction was that of Edla, who in spite of knowing the truth of the peddler intervenes to seek the peddler’s presence on 367890 Christmas Eve. The most unexpected reaction is from the peddler when he leaves an envelope and a letter for Edla showing gratitude for the girl’s kindness and hospitality.
4. What made the peddler finally change his ways?
Ans. 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.
5. How does the metaphor of a rattrap serve to highlight human predicament?
Ans. The metaphor of a rattrap signifies that the world exists only to trap people by setting baits for them. Whenever someone is tempted by some luxury, he ends up being caught in a dangerous trap. The author makes a deeper comment on the woeful plight of those in pursuit of worldly pleasure which often leads them to unpleasant situations. The story helps in realising the importance of general goodness and kindness. The peddler is saved from the snare of the trap of the world when he appreciates the kindness extended to him by Edla.
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?
Ans. The peddler doesn’t come across as a humorous person, although one can easily find a subtle sense of humour in the way he thought about the world as being a giant rattrap. He was singularly pleased by this thought because it provided him with the opportunity of thinking ill of the world that was not kind to him. It is clearly visible that whenever he was caught unaware in the web of deceit spun by his scheming mind, he hid himself behind the thought that the world was a rattrap and he was merely a prey. Thus, he lightened the mood and theme of the story and made us endear him.
Working with words :
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?
Ans.
| 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. |
2. You came across the words, plod, trudge and stagger in the story. These words indicate movement
accompanied by weariness. Find five other such words with a similar meaning.
Ans. Other words are lurch, stumble, slog, hike, clump, traipse and stomp
Noticing Form :
- He made them himself at odd moments.
- He raised himself.
- He had let himself be fooled by a bait and had been caught.
- 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
Ans.
| Examples | Usage |
| “…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 than he himself.” u | 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.” u | used to convey emphasis |
Thinking about Language :
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
Ans.Other such phrases could be as follows:
- ‘A hard regular thumping’
- ‘Hammer strokes’
- ‘A large plant with smelter,
- rolling mill and forge’
- ‘Pig iron’
- ‘Coal dust’
- ‘Put on the anvil’
2. Mjolis is a card game of Sweden.
Name a few indoor games played in your region. ‘Chopar’ could be an example.
Ans. Some indoor games are chess, ludo, table-tennis, playing cards, billiards, etc.
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.
Ans. Some other terms are peasant, cultivator, krishak, kisan etc.
