Class 12 English Notes Prose 4 (The Rattrap) – Flamingo Book

Detailed Notes with MCQs of Chapter 4 of your Flamingo textbook, 'The Rattrap' by Selma Lagerlöf. This story is not just a simple narrative; it delves deep into human psychology and carries a significant philosophical message, making it important for your exam preparation.

About the Author:
Selma Lagerlöf (1858-1940) was a Swedish author and the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature (1909). Her stories often draw from Swedish folklore and landscape, blending realism with elements of fantasy or parable. 'The Rattrap' reflects her belief in the inherent goodness of human beings.

Central Theme:
The story revolves around the idea that the essential goodness in a human being can be awakened through understanding, kindness, and compassion. It explores themes of loneliness, temptation, the human condition, and the possibility of redemption.

Characters:

1. The Peddler (The Rattrap Seller/The Tramp):

   • The protagonist. A poor, cynical vagabond who makes and sells small rattraps of wire.
   • Views the world as a giant rattrap, offering baits (riches, joys, shelter, food, etc.) to trap people.
   • Leads a monotonous, sad life involving petty thievery and begging.
   • Initially succumbs to temptation (stealing the crofter's money).
   • Undergoes a significant transformation due to Edla Willmansson's kindness and trust. His core goodness is awakened.

2. The Old Crofter:

   • A lonely old man living in a cottage by the roadside.
   • Formerly worked at the Ramsjö Ironworks. Now owns a cow that supports him.
   • Generous and trusting; welcomes the peddler, shares his food, tobacco, and confidences (shows him his thirty kronor).
   • Represents trusting innocence but also highlights the loneliness that craves companionship. His trust is unfortunately betrayed.

3. The Ironmaster:

   • The owner of the Ramsjö Ironworks.
   • Proud, somewhat imperious, but not inherently unkind.
   • Mistakes the peddler for an old regimental comrade, Captain von Stahle (Nils Olof in some versions).
   • Insists on bringing the peddler home for Christmas, partly out of a sense of duty to an old acquaintance and partly out of loneliness.
   • Becomes angry when the peddler's true identity is revealed but is eventually calmed by his daughter.

4. Edla Willmansson:

   • The Ironmaster's daughter. Described as "not at all pretty, but seemed modest and quite shy."
   • Possesses deep compassion, kindness, and remarkable perceptive abilities.
   • Senses the peddler's fear and understands he might be hiding something or running from something.
   • Persuades the peddler to come to their home with genuine warmth, unlike her father's commanding tone.
   • Treats the peddler with dignity and respect, even after knowing his true identity. Believes in treating him as a real Captain for the day (Christmas).
   • Her unwavering trust and compassion are the catalysts for the peddler's transformation.

Plot Summary:

1. The Peddler's Philosophy: The story begins with the peddler's bleak view of life and his idea of the world being a large rattrap. He finds amusement in thinking about people caught in this trap.
2. Encounter with the Crofter: Seeking shelter, the peddler is welcomed by the lonely old crofter. The crofter shares his meal, tobacco, plays cards (mjolis) with him, and even shows him the thirty kronor he earned.
3. The Betrayal: The next morning, after the crofter leaves, the peddler succumbs to temptation, smashes the windowpane, and steals the thirty kronor from the pouch.
4. Caught in the Trap: To avoid the public highway, the peddler enters a large, confusing forest. He walks endlessly, realizing he himself has been caught in the rattrap (the forest symbolizing his guilt and entrapment). He sinks down in despair as night falls.
5. The Ironworks: Hearing the thumping of hammer strokes, he reaches the Ramsjö Ironworks. He seeks permission to stay near the furnace for warmth, which the master blacksmith grants indifferently.
6. Mistaken Identity: The Ironmaster arrives on his nightly inspection, notices the peddler in the dim light, and mistakes him for an old army comrade, Captain von Stahle. He invites the peddler home for Christmas.
7. Refusal and Edla's Intervention: The peddler, alarmed (having stolen money), firmly refuses the Ironmaster's invitation. The Ironmaster sends his daughter, Edla, hoping she can persuade him.
8. Edla's Persuasion: Edla speaks kindly and compassionately. She notices his fear and assures him he can leave whenever he wants. Her genuine warmth convinces the peddler to accompany her. He feels a flicker of hope and thinks he might be able to escape the "trap."
9. The Revelation: At the manor house, the peddler is bathed, shaved, and given clothes. In the broad daylight of Christmas morning, the Ironmaster realizes his mistake – the man is not Captain von Stahle.
10. Conflict and Compassion: The Ironmaster threatens to call the sheriff. The peddler defends himself, stating the world is a rattrap and the Ironmaster might himself be caught one day. Edla intervenes, arguing they shouldn't chase away someone they invited for Christmas and promised Christmas cheer. She feels empathy for the hard life the peddler must have lived.
11. Christmas Peace: Edla convinces her father to let the peddler stay for Christmas Day. The peddler is treated with dignity and respect throughout the day. He mostly eats and sleeps, experiencing true peace for the first time in years.
12. The Transformation and Departure: The next morning (after Christmas), Edla and her father go to church. They hear that a rattrap peddler has robbed the old crofter. They rush home, fearing the peddler has stolen their silver.
13. The Christmas Gift: They find the peddler gone, but he hasn't stolen anything. Instead, he has left a package for Edla containing a small rattrap, the stolen thirty kronor, and a letter.
14. Redemption: The letter is addressed to Edla, thanking her for her kindness which saved him from the world's rattrap. He asks her to return the money to the crofter. He signs it "Captain von Stahle," signifying that her belief in him allowed him to act with the honour expected of a Captain. He has finally escaped the metaphorical rattrap through an act of goodness inspired by her compassion.

Key Themes Explored:

• The World as a Rattrap: The central metaphor used by the peddler to describe the world and its temptations (wealth, comfort, etc.) that lure and trap humans. He himself gets caught when he steals the money.
• Inherent Human Goodness: The story strongly suggests that even seemingly lost individuals possess a core of goodness that can be awakened by love, respect, and understanding (as shown by Edla's impact on the peddler).
• Loneliness and Companionship: Several characters experience loneliness – the peddler, the crofter, and even the Ironmaster and Edla (implied by their desire for company at Christmas). The need for connection is a driving force.
• Temptation and Consequences: The bait of the thirty kronor leads the peddler into trouble, demonstrating how easily one can fall into the 'rattrap'.
• Transformation and Redemption: The peddler's journey from a cynical thief to an honourable person highlights the power of compassion to bring about positive change.
• Kindness and Hospitality: The contrast between the crofter's initial hospitality (betrayed) and Edla's persistent, understanding kindness (which redeems) is significant.

Literary Devices:

• Metaphor: The dominant device is the comparison of the world to a giant rattrap.
• Symbolism:
  • Rattrap: Symbolizes human predicament, temptations, and traps (both literal and metaphorical).
  • Forest: Symbolizes confusion, despair, and being trapped by one's actions.
  • Christmas: Symbolizes hope, peace, kindness, and rebirth/redemption.
  • Darkness/Light: Used to contrast despair/ignorance with hope/understanding (e.g., the peddler seen clearly in daylight).
• Irony:
  • Situational Irony: The peddler who philosophizes about the world as a rattrap gets caught in it himself. The Ironmaster mistakes a tramp for a Captain. The peddler leaves a rattrap as a gift.
  • Dramatic Irony: The reader knows the peddler has stolen the money even when the Ironmaster and Edla are initially unaware.
• Fable/Parable like Quality: The story teaches a moral lesson about human nature, much like a fable.

Important Points for Exams:

• Understand the peddler's philosophy and how it applies to his own actions.
• Analyze the character arcs, especially the peddler's transformation.
• Identify the role of Edla Willmansson as the key agent of change.
• Explain the significance of the title and the central metaphor.
• Discuss the themes with textual evidence.
• Be aware of the sequence of events and key turning points.

This story beautifully illustrates that circumstances can make people cynical and dishonest, but genuine kindness has the power to redeem. Remember Edla's role – it wasn't just pity, but respect and understanding that changed the peddler.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):

1. What was the peddler's philosophical view of the world?
   a) A beautiful place full of opportunities
   b) A difficult journey with many obstacles
   c) A giant rattrap offering baits
   d) A stage where everyone plays a part

2. Why was the old crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?
   a) He wanted to sell his cow to the peddler.
   b) He mistook the peddler for an old friend.
   c) He was rich and liked showing off his money.
   d) He was lonely and happy to have company.

3. What 'bait' tempted the peddler to steal from the crofter?
   a) A piece of jewellery
   b) Thirty kronor
   c) A warm meal
   d) A comfortable bed

4. The Ironmaster mistook the peddler for:
   a) The village sheriff
   b) An old employee
   c) His brother-in-law
   d) An old regimental comrade (Captain von Stahle)

5. Who finally persuaded the peddler to go to the Ironmaster's house?
   a) The Ironmaster himself
   b) The master blacksmith
   c) Edla Willmansson
   d) The old crofter

6. What did Edla notice about the peddler that made her compassionate?
   a) His expensive clothes
   b) His confident manner
   c) His fear and uncertainty
   d) His resemblance to her father

7. When did the Ironmaster realize his mistake about the peddler's identity?
   a) When Edla told him
   b) The next morning, after the peddler was cleaned up
   c) When the peddler confessed
   d) At the church on Christmas morning

8. What did the peddler leave behind for Edla as a Christmas gift?
   a) A silver spoon
   b) A letter confessing his crimes
   c) A small rattrap containing thirty kronor and a letter
   d) Nothing, he just disappeared

9. The central theme of 'The Rattrap' is that:
   a) Thieves always get caught eventually.
   b) Loneliness leads to desperate actions.
   c) Essential human goodness can be awakened by understanding and compassion.
   d) Appearances are often deceptive.

10. By signing the letter as "Captain von Stahle," the peddler showed that:
    a) He intended to continue deceiving Edla.
    b) He had finally achieved the dignity Edla had shown him.
    c) He was mocking the Ironmaster.
    d) He had forgotten his real name.

Answer Key:

1. c) A giant rattrap offering baits
2. d) He was lonely and happy to have company.
3. b) Thirty kronor
4. d) An old regimental comrade (Captain von Stahle)
5. c) Edla Willmansson
6. c) His fear and uncertainty
7. b) The next morning, after the peddler was cleaned up
8. c) A small rattrap containing thirty kronor and a letter
9. c) Essential human goodness can be awakened by understanding and compassion.
10. b) He had finally achieved the dignity Edla had shown him.

Study these notes carefully, focusing on the character development and thematic depth. Good luck with your preparation!