THE RATTRAP

MESSAGE OF THE STORY

The rattrap is an interesting story. It has been told somewhat in the manner of a fairy tale. The
rattrap peddler is a poor man. He robs the same who gives him shelter and food. But he is
reformed by the compassionate behaviour of a young girl Edla. This story gives the message that
the essential goodness of man can be awakened through love and understanding.

Answer the following questions in 30 – 40 words.

1. From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?
Ans. The peddler was a very poor man who earned his living by selling the rattraps, he made
himself from the materials he got by begging. His mind, thus, was always preoccupied with
rattraps. The shelter, food, clothes, riches, and Joys that the world provides are all bits to entrap
man. When one is trapped, everything comes to an end.

2. Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter?
Ans. The peddler had never been treated kindly by the world. He has meted out a cold treatment
wherever he went. He was pleasantly surprised when the crofter treated him with warmth and
hospitality. Ordinarily, he always mates “sour faces” when he knocked anyone’s door for shelter
and food.

3. Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home? Ans. In the glow of
the furnace, the ironmaster mistook the peddler to be Nils Olof, his old regimental comrade. He
was overwhelmed with sympathy for his comrade when he saw him in terrible condition.The
ironmaster wanted the peddler to shed his inhibitions and enjoy on the occasion of Christmas.
Moreover, the ironmaster wanted to better his comrade’s future prospects.

4. When did the ironmaster realize his mistake?

Ans.The ironmaster brought the tramp to his house mistaking him to be his old regimental
comrade. However, it was not so. The ironmaster realized this when the valet had given the
peddler a bath, a save, a haircut and fine clothes. When he was brought before the ironmaster in
broad daylight, he understood that he had mistaken the tramp to be his formal comrade in the
light of the Furnace.

5. Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain Van Stahle?

Ans. Throughout his life, the peddler had never known respect. He was always treated coldly by
the world. For the first time in his life, he was honoured and respected as if he were a captain.
Even after the truth was exposed, the daughter continued to treat him in a similar way. The way
he was treated encouraged him to behave in a like manner. He signed the letter as Captain von
Stahle so as to underline the impact of Edla's goodness on him.

Answer the following questions in 100 in 120 Words.

1. 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 misunderstood the peddler for an old acquaintance, whereas his daughter
could make out that the man was afraid, which was suggestive of him having stolen something.
Though the father and the daughter express compassion for the vagabond both do so for different
reasons.The ironmaster was sure to help the vagabond get over his tramp manners because he
had mistaken the latter for his old comrade. The daughter however wishes to feed him and
welcome him in spite of knowing that he was not Captain Von Stahle. The father acts
impulsively and casually and invites him without confirming the stranger’s identity. On realizing
his mistake, he recklessly wants to hand him over to the sheriff. Only when he is threatened of
ensnared by the rattrap of this world that he thinks otherwise. Edla on the other hand shows a
strong sense of observation. She rightly judges him to be a tramp without any education. She
persuades her father to let him stay because they had promised him Christmas cheer. When the
blacksmith’s daughter infects the protagonist with her true altruism the peddler’s inner soul
experiences a rapid transformation form an ugly duckling to a dazzling swan.

2.The reader’s sympathy is with the peddler right from the beginning of the story. Why this is
so? Is the sympathy justified?
Ans. The peddler wins the readers’ sympathy for his way of life and how the world treats him.
The vagabond moves about selling small rattraps. As his business is not rewarding, he takes to
begging and petty thievery to keep his body and soul together.
His life is sad and monotonous. He plods along the road lost in his own meditation. He Considers
the Whole World as A Big Rattrap. The world has never been kind to him and it gives him
unwonted joy to think ill of it. Whenever he asks shelter for a night, he meets sour faces. He is an
unwelcome, unwanted and undesirable figure. The blacksmith at forge glance at him only
casually and indifferently. The master smith nods a haughty consent without honouring him with
a single word.
His sympathy is justified not only because he was a victim of circumstances but also because he
redeems himself in the end. Edla Willmanson’s kind and compassionate behavior arouses the
tramp’s goodness. He thanks her for her sympathy and returns the stolen money.

POEM 2:KEEPING QUIET

CENTRAL IDEA OF THE POEM

In the poem the poet tries to tell us that we should stop our destructive activities and keep quiet
for some time. By keeping quiet he means that we should look into ourselves and see what our
behaviour is doing to others. We should analyse ourselves and change accordingly.

Answer the following questions in 30 to 40 words.

1. What does the poet call an exotic moment and why?
Ans. The poet calls the moment of calm introspection ‘an exotic moment’. He calls it so because
it will give us a very unusual feeling. We shall feel ourselves as one with all others. We will
come out of all our greed, selfishness and cruelty.

2. What should not be confused with total inactivity? Why?

Ans. The poet says that we should stop all our activities for a few moments and do quiet
introspection. But his, this saying should not be confused with total inactivity. He says that the
essence of life is activity while inactivity is death.

3.How, according to the poet, can earth teach us?

Ans. When it is winter, everything on the earth seems to be dead. But later in spring, it is proved
that the earth is alive, not dead. It has new colours and beauties added to it. Similarly, after the
silence and stillness of quiet introspection, man can start his activities in a better and purposeful
manner.

4. What are the two types of sadness named in the poem ‘keeping Quiet’?
Ans. One is ‘sadness of never understanding ourselves’. The other is threatening ourselves with
death.

POEM – 3
A THING OF BEAUTY

TITLE OF THE POEM

The poem 'A thing of beauty' is written by John Keats. It is the poem where poet described about
the importance of life and the beauty of life. It is like a romantic poetry. The poet picked up here
the beauty of life like if we don't do anything wrong life will be colourful. We can get limitless
happiness in life. Corruption, greed, murder these are not the quality of life. John Keats is a
famous poet. He has perfected this poem by its title, figure of speech, inner meanings, rhythmic
words.

Answer the following questions in 30 to 40 words.

1. How does a thing of beauty provide us shelter and comfort?
Ans. John Keats is a great Romantic poet. He creates images that soothe our senses. Nature
bestows us with things of rare beauty. It keeps the shade of trees ready for us to be comfortable
and peaceful in it. Beautiful things also provide peace and security so that we can enjoy sound
sleep. We are able to enjoy sweet dreams, good health because of them.

2. How do the ‘daffodils’ and ‘clear rills’ enrich our environment?

Ans. Daffodils are lovely white flowers that bloom in green surroundings. The “clear rills” or
clear streams of water create cooling comfort or passage for themselves as they pass through the
thick bushes and ward away the heat of the sun.

3. What is the ‘grandeur of the dooms’ and ‘endless fountain of immortal drink’?
Ans.The “grandeur of the dooms” is a reference to our mighty and dead ancestors who have
created beautiful objects for us. On the other hand, the “endless fountain” is the everlasting joy
provided to us by the bounties of nature in the form of nectar pouring on us from heaven.

4. What is the message that John Keats wants to give through 'A thing of Beauty'?
Ans. The very first line of the poem conveys the message of the poet. John Keats was a
worshipper of beauty. A thing of beauty is a joy forever. Beauty never fades. Nor is it devalued.
It never passes into nothingness. A thing of beauty removes the pall of sadness and sorrows and
gives us joy and pleasure.