Lesson 4
The Rattrap
Q.1.From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?
A.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.
Q2.Why was he amused by this idea?
A.The peddler led a very hard life. He sold rattraps for livelihood. The world had been very unkind to him. He did not like the world at all. so, equating the world with such a bad thing as a rattrap amused him.
Q.3.Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?
A.The ironmaster was an old man with neither a wife nor a child. In his loneliness he wanted someone to talk to. Therefore, he was talkative and friendly with the peddler.
Q.4.Why did he show the thirty kroner to the peddler?
A. He showed the thirty kroner to the peddler because the peddler seemed in incredulous on his story about his extra-ordinary bossy cow. It supported him in his old age by her ample milk for creamery.
Q.5. What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?
A.The peddler stole the crofter's 30 Kronor. For safety,he entered a wood.He walked and walked without coming to its end. This made him think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap.
Q.6.Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?
A.The ironmaster took the peddler for an old regimental comrade who had fallen on evil days. He invited the peddler to go home because he wanted to help him as an old acquaintance.
Q.7.Why did the peddler decline the invitation?
A.The peddler declined the invitation because he did not want to go to Manor house with the stolen money.
Q.8.What made the peddler accept EdlaWillmansson's invitation?
A. Edlawillmansson had sympathising look, friendly manners and an assurance to go away unharmingly and as and when he would like.This made the peddler accept EdlaWillmansson's invitation.
Q.9.What doubts did Edla have about the peddler?
A.She noticed that the peddler was afraid. It means he had either stolen on something, or he had escaped from jail. She also thought that he was not an educated man and, therefore, he could not be her father's old comrade.
Q.10.When did the ironmaster realise his mistake?
A.The ironmaster had seen the peddler in the dim, uncertain light of the furnace.He had mistaken him for an old regimental comrade. When he saw him well- dressed in the broad daylight, he realized that he had made a mistake.
Additional Questions
Q.11.How did the rattrap seller make a living?
A. The rattrap seller made small rattraps of wire. For this he begged material from stores and big farms. Still he did not earn enough. He had to resort to begging and petty thievery sometimes sometimes.
Q.12.What was the ironmaster's ambition?
A.His greatest ambition was to ship out good quality of iron to the market.He inspected his iron mill regularly to see that the work was done in the best possible way.
Q.13.Why was the blacksmith indifferent to the peddler?
A.The blacksmith was indifferent to the peddler because it was not an unusual thing. Often Vagabonds without shelter for the cold night would come into the forge to warm themselves. Q.14.Why did the ironmaster visit the forge at night?
Q.14. What was the ambition of the Iron Master?
A.The owner of the Ramsjolron Works was very particular about the quality of Steel produced in his mill. It was to supervise the work that he visited the mill many times a day. He came to the forge for this very purpose.
Q.15.Why did the ironmaster invite the peddler to his house?
A. The ironmaster believed that the peddler was one of his old regimental comrades. He was sorry to see him in a pitiable condition. He wanted to help him. He also wanted to have his company on Christmas.
Q16.How did the crofter behave with the peddler after opening the door?
A. As soon as the peddler knocked at the door of the crofter to ask shelter for the night, the crofter opened the door and welcomed him warmly. He gave him supper and played cards with him until bad time.
Long Questions
Q.1. “The story ‘The rattrap' is a mixture of entertainment and philosophy". Explain.
A.The story 'The rattrap' is entertaining and philosophical as well. The theme of the story entertains from the very beginning to the end.The ironmaster mistakes the peddler for his old friend. This episode amuses the reader a lot.There is humour all through the story which gives it a lighter vein. But the comparison between a rattrap and this world conveys a deep philosophical message. This word provides us with the things that allure us. Just as a bait is used to trap a rat, worldly enjoyments are used to trap human beings.The story so beautifully highlights the human dilemma that one wonders in awe whether one should accept theallurements or reject them.After reading the story, we are forced to look at this world in a new perspective.It is therefore that, the story is a mixture of entertainment and philosophy.
Q.2.The peddler had a philosophy of life and he lived by it.Comment.
A.It was the peddler's firm belief that this world was a big rat- trap.Theyso called good material things were baits.Anyone who was temped by these baits was trapped, and then there was the end of it all.He sold rattraps.Even then he did not make enough money.He begged and stole a little.But he was not a thief.Hestole the crofter's money.Later he regretted having done so.He Cursed himself for having succumbed to the temptation.He refused to go to ironmaster's house.He did not want to be tempted by the baits.He willingly put on his rags and went away from the ironmaster's house without regret.He also returned the crofter's money.He did not take any of the presents he was given he was given.He was a tramp again because he had chosen that way of life willingly.
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