Plot-8, Sector-23, Rohini, New Delhi-110085

Session 2021-2022
Name: ……………………… S.No: W –
Roll No. ____ Class: XII___
Date: ___ .2021 The Rattrap Subject: ENGLISH

Based on the reading of the chapter ‘The Rattrap’, answer the following questions:

1. Explain the metaphor of the rattrap as used by the author in the text.

Ans The metaphor of the rattrap signifies that the world exists only to trap people by setting baits for
them. Whenever someone is tempted by the luxuries, he ends up being caught in a dangerous trap

2. Why did the peddler feel unusually happy thinking ill of the world?

Ans:The peddler had never been treated well by the world. So he felt happy thinking ill of the world.
That is why he was amused by the idea that the whole world around him was nothing but a big rattrap.
He was glad that he was out while many people he knew were circling around some bait
and some had already got trapped

3. How was the crofter different from the other hosts met by the peddler?
Ans. While the peddler was met with sour faces, at the crofter's cottage, the peddler was welcomed
warmly. The peddler had never been treated kindly by the world. He was meted out cold treatment
wherever he went. So he was pleasantly surprised when the crofter greeted him with warmth.

4. The old man was as generous with his confidences as with his porridge and his tobacco. Elucidate by quoting
an instance from the text.
Ans. The crofter was generous not just with his porridge and tobacco but also in sharing his
confidential information with the peddler. He informed the peddler that he had been a crofter but now
his cow supported him. She would give milk for the creamery every day, and last month he had even
received thirty kronors as payment, which he showed him hanging in a pouch near the window.

5. Now his own turn had come. When did the peddler feel so? Why?

Ans. After stealing the crofter's money, the rattrap peddler did not think it proper to walk on the public
highway. Then he recalled his thoughts about the world and the rattrap. It was only when he got lost in
the maze of the dense forest that he realised that he had fallen prey to the bait of thirty kronors.
Now, his own turn had come. The rattrap peddler thus thought that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap
from which he might not be able to escape.

6. Every now and then one of them got up to stir the glowing mass with a long iron bar.....Describe the setting
being referred to in the given line. How does it contribute to the narration of the story?
Ans. The scene being described here takes place at the forge, where blacksmiths fashion
metal objects. The peddler, seeking warmth and shelter, made his way to the forge, hoping to
warm himself up by the furnace. This setting serves in direct contrast to the hospitality and
generosity that was freely extended to the peddler the night before by the crofter, indicating a
sort of punishment for his immoral actions. The apathy of the forgers and smiths to the many
derelicts and urchins who make their way to the furnace in search of warmth indicates that
poverty and destitution is so commonplace that it no longer evokes sympathy or concern for
most people. This setting creates an overall sense of bleakness and despair in the story, which
makes the peddler’s metamorphosis at the end all the more remarkable. It also evokes
sympathy for the peddler, despite his unconscionable acts. It is this setting that serves as the
pivot for the peddler’s transformation.
7. The ironmaster did not follow the example of the blacksmiths….Discuss the character traits of the ironmaster
as highlighted in light of this action.

Ans. The ironmaster mistook the peddler as an old acquaintance and therefore approached him and
displayed sympathy at the sight of the peddler’s disheveled appearance. The ironmaster graciously
invited the peddler to his mansion. The ironmaster was an insistent fellow who would do anything to
get the last word out. His concern for his downtrodden friend sets him apart from the blacksmiths who
had indifferently dismissed the peddler’s presence. On the other hand, the ironmaster’s generosity did
not allow him to leave his friend lying on the cold floor and resorted to every possible measure to have
him over for christmas.

8. Why did the vagabond decide not to undeceive the ironmaster all at once?

Ans. The peddler thought that if the fine gentleman thought he was an old acquaintance, he might
perhaps throw him a couple of kronor. So he did not want to undeceive him all at once.

9. How were the peddler’s actions, in view of his mistaken identity, perceived by the ironmaster?

Ans. Ironmaster had initially thought that the peddler was his old friend and treated him very warmly .
He had thought that his tramp manners will fall away with his tramp clothes. But the next morning , on
christmas eve as the peddler entered the dining room , truly cleaned and wearing good looking clothes
-in broad daylight, it was impossible for the ironmaster to mistake him for an old acquaintance.

10. ...and the blacksmith, who knew him, understood very well that he had not said his last word. Explain the
context.

Ans. The blacksmith knew the ironmaster for a long time so as the peddler refused to go with the
ironmaster and the latter left, the blacksmith knew that he hadn’t really given up and may try
something else to convince the peddler, and as expected, he sent his daughter hoping that she would
have better persuasive powers than himself. Thus, this proved that the ironmaster did not say his last
word.

11. How was Edla’s first impression of the peddler different from that of her father? Was she proved right?

Ans. The iron master saw the peddler as one of his old friends however Edla’s first impression of the
peddler was that he had either stolen something or had escaped from the jail. Finally, In the later part of
the story Edla was proven correct.

12. How did Edla succeed in convincing the poor vagabond to accompany her to the Manor house?

Ans. Edla invited him to stay with her family on the ground of compassion. She approached him and
gave him a considerable look and also assured him that he would be free to go away any time he
wanted. Edla friendly attitude and assurance boosted his confidence and he agreed to accompany her.

13. Why did the peddler have evil forebodings while riding up to the manor house?

Ans. While he was riding up to the manor house he had evil forebodings. He questioned himself why he
had taken that fellow’s money. He thought that he was sitting in the trap and would never get out of it.
Also he felt like entering the lion’s den by going to the manor house- he could be handed in for the theft.

14. What were ironmaster’s plans for the so-called Captain Nils Olof?

Ans. The ironmaster planned to feed his emaciated friend well and get some flesh on his body.He also
decided to help him do something more worthwhile and respectable for earning his living than just
about making and selling rattraps.

15. The tramp manners will fall away from him with the tramp clothes. Why did the ironmaster make this
remark? Was his assumption right?

Ans. The ironmaster made this remark because he believed that as soon as the peddler gets clean and
dressed up, his behaviour will also undergo a change. Since the ironmaster assumed the tramp to be
his old captain friend, he believed that his friend will regain his sophisticated nature once he wears new
clothes. No his assumption was not right because after the tramp got dressed up, the ironmaster
realised that the tramp was not his friend Nils Olof

16. Why did the ironmaster’s daughter intercede for the vagabond? Give three reasons.

Ans. The daughter had drawn plans to make things homelike and typical of Christmas, for the poor
hungry wretch. She could not get away from this idea at once. She felt embarrassed when her father
asked the man to get out. She interceded for the vagabond to persuade her father to let him stay for
Christmas. She argued that the poor and helpless man was chased off by everyone and welcomed by
none. Since they had invited him over and promised him a cheerful Christmas, he should be allowed to
enjoy a peaceful day with them. Hence the ironmaster's daughter intervened for the vagabond.

17. How did the peddler spend the Christmas eve at the manor house?

Ans. The peddler did nothing but sleep. He was woken for lunch and later in the evening, when the tree
was lit, once again he went around to each one present and said thank you and goodnight.

18. When and why did the peddler stare at the young girl in boundless amazement?

Ans. The young girl told him after the Christmas dinner that the suit he wore was to be a Christmas
present from her father. He did not have to return it. If he wanted to spend next Christmas Eve
peacefully, without any evil befalling him, he would be welcomed back again. This left him astounded.

19. “I only wonder how many silver spoons are left in the cupboard by this time.” Were the ironmaster’s fears
rendered true ? Explain.

Ans. When the ironmaster found out about the peddler’s real identity, he feared that the Crofter’s fate
would befall him and his daughter. After reaching their home, they realised that instead of stealing from
them, the peddler had left them a gift. To Edla’s surprise, the package contained a small rattrap with a
letter that thanked them for their hospitality and kindness. The peddler also requested them to return
the money to the Crofter and thanked Edla for releasing him from his rattrap.

20. What was the significance of the peddler’s Christmas gift to Edla and his signature as the Captain?

The peddler had left thirty kronors which he had stolen, a rattrap and a confessionary letter as a
Christmas gift to Edla. The gift signifies his regret for robbing the crofter and his gratitude towards
Edla who had treated him kindly. For Edla, the gift meant that her trust in him had not been broken and
her benevolence was instrumental in transforming the peddler. His signing as the captain signifies this
transformation- from a tramp to a dignified captain.