The Rattrap Question Answer Chapter 4 Solved PDF

1. From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?
Answer: The peddler got the idea from the rattraps that he made and sold. He thought that the whole world, with its lands, seas, cities and villages, was like a big rattrap that offered different baits such as riches, food, shelter and pleasure.

2. Why was he amused by this idea?
Answer: He was amused because the world had never been kind to him. He enjoyed thinking that the world itself was a rattrap and that people were caught in it when they were tempted by its various baits.

3. Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter?
Answer: No, the peddler did not expect such hospitality. He was used to being treated badly by people. The crofter, however, welcomed him warmly, gave him food and tobacco, and even played cards with him.

4. Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?
Answer: The crofter was an old man who lived alone without a wife or child. He was happy to have someone with whom he could talk. Therefore, he was very friendly and shared many details about his life with the peddler.

5. Why did he show the thirty kronor to the peddler?
Answer: The crofter had received thirty kronor from the creamery for the milk supplied by his cow. When the peddler seemed doubtful about this, the crofter showed him the three ten-kronor notes to prove that he really had the money.

6. Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?
Answer: No, he did not respect the crofter's confidence. He returned to the cottage after leaving, broke a window pane, took the thirty kronor from the leather pouch and then put the pouch back in its place.

1. What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?
Answer: After stealing the thirty kronor, the peddler entered the forest to avoid the public highway. He became lost because the paths twisted in different directions. He realised that he had been caught in the same way as a rat is caught by bait in a rattrap. The forest seemed like an impenetrable prison from which he could not escape.

2. Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?
Answer: The ironmaster mistook the peddler for an old regimental acquaintance, Captain von Stahle. He believed that the man had fallen into difficult circumstances after leaving the army. Because of this misunderstanding, he spoke kindly to him and invited him to his home for Christmas.

3. Why did the peddler decline the invitation?
Answer: The peddler declined the invitation because he had stolen the thirty kronor from the crofter. He was afraid that going to the ironmaster's house would expose him as a thief and put him in danger of being caught.

1. What made the peddler accept Edla Willmansson's invitation?
Answer: Edla spoke to the peddler kindly and compassionately. She assured him that he would be free to leave whenever he wished. Her friendly behaviour made him trust her, so he accepted her invitation and went with her to the manor house.

2. What doubts did Edla have about the peddler?
Answer: Edla noticed that the peddler was frightened and thought that he might have stolen something or escaped from jail.

3. When did the ironmaster realise his mistake?
Answer: The ironmaster realised his mistake the next morning when the peddler had been cleaned, shaved and dressed in proper clothes. In broad daylight, he understood that the man was not his old regimental acquaintance.

4. What did the peddler say in his defence when it was clear that he was not the person the ironmaster had thought he was?
Answer: The peddler said that it was not his fault because he had never claimed to be anything other than a poor trader. He had actually requested permission to stay in the forge. He also said that he could put on his old rags and leave if necessary.

5. Why did Edla still entertain the peddler even after she knew the truth about him?
Answer: Edla still wanted to entertain him because she felt sorry for him. She thought that the peddler had no place where he was welcome or could feel at home. She wanted him to enjoy at least one peaceful day during Christmas. She also felt that they should not send away a person whom they had invited and promised Christmas cheer.

1. How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter, the ironmaster and his daughter?
Answer: The peddler initially sees the world as a rattrap in which people are tempted by different baits. The crofter's kindness does not prevent him from stealing the crofter's money. The ironmaster's invitation also appears to him as another trap because he fears being caught. However, Edla's kindness affects him differently. She treats him with respect and compassion even after discovering that he is a thief. Her goodness makes him realise that he should change his ways.

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?
Answer: The ironmaster is more concerned with the peddler's appearance and social identity. He first welcomes him because he thinks he is an old acquaintance, but when he discovers the truth, he becomes angry and wants him to leave. Edla, on the other hand, is compassionate and understanding. Even after learning that the peddler is a thief, she asks her father to let him stay because she wants him to experience kindness and peace during Christmas.

3. The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to others' behaviour. Pick out instances of these surprises.

Answer:

• The crofter welcomes the poor peddler and shares his food, tobacco and confidence with him.
• The peddler repays the crofter's kindness by stealing his thirty kronor.
• The ironmaster mistakes the peddler for an old regimental acquaintance.
• The peddler first refuses to go with the ironmaster but accepts Edla's invitation.
• The ironmaster becomes angry when he discovers that the peddler is not Captain von Stahle.
• Edla, despite knowing that he is a thief, asks her father to let him stay.
• The peddler leaves the stolen money in the rattrap and sends it back to the crofter.
• He signs himself "Captain von Stahle", showing that Edla's kindness has changed him.

4. What made the peddler finally change his ways?
Answer: Edla's kindness and compassion changed the peddler. She treated him with respect even after learning that he was a thief. She gave him food, shelter, peace and a Christmas present. Her goodness made him feel that he was being treated like a real captain. As a result, he decided to return the stolen money and change his ways.

5. How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human predicament?
Answer: The rattrap represents the temptations of the world. Riches, food, shelter and other material benefits act like bait. When people become greedy and are tempted by these things, they may become trapped in difficulties. The peddler himself becomes caught after stealing the crofter's money. The metaphor therefore shows how human beings can become trapped by their own greed and desires.

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?
Answer: The peddler's humorous way of looking at the world makes the serious theme of poverty, temptation and human weakness more interesting. His idea that the whole world is a giant rattrap is imaginative and amusing. Even though he is a thief, his thoughts and observations make him an interesting and sympathetic character.

1. Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?
Answer: Edla was happy because the gift showed that the peddler had understood and appreciated her kindness. The rattrap contained the thirty kronor stolen from the crofter, along with a letter. By returning the money and signing himself as Captain von Stahle, the peddler showed that he had changed.

2. Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von Stahle?
Answer: The peddler signed himself as Captain von Stahle because Edla had treated him as if he were a real captain. Her kindness and respect helped him regain his self-respect and become a better person. By signing this name, he showed that he had been transformed by her goodness.

1. He made them himself at odd moments.
Answer: "himself" is a reflexive pronoun used for emphasis.

2. He raised himself.
Answer: "himself" refers back to the subject he. It is used as a reflexive pronoun because the action returns to the same person.

3. He had let himself be fooled by a bait and had been caught.
Answer: "himself" refers back to the subject he and indicates that the peddler himself was affected by the action.

4. ... a day may come when you yourself may want to get a big piece of pork.
Answer: "yourself" is used for emphasis. It stresses that the person being addressed may personally experience the same situation.

1. Pick out other such phrases and words from the story that are peculiar to the terminology of ironworks.

Answer: ironworks, smelter, rolling mill, forge, pig iron, anvil, furnace, master smith, fire boy, charcoal, bellows, iron bar, iron mill, glowing mass. These words describe the working environment and processes of the Ramsjö Ironworks.

2. Mjolis is a card game of Sweden. Name a few indoor games played in your region. 'Chopar' could be an example.
Answer: Chess, Carrom, Ludo, Playing cards, Chopar.

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.
Answer: Peasant, Smallholder, Cultivator, Tenant farmer, Farmer, Kisan. The textbook specifically introduces crofter as a term for a person who rents or owns a small farm, especially in Scotland.