THE RATTRAP( CLASS XII FLAMINGO)

Justification of Title

“The Rattrap” is a very well – chosen title. It being the story of a rattrap paddler, obviously the title “The Rattrap” is an appropriate one. The author has used the metaphor of a Rattrap to highlight the human predicament. Just as a rat is fooled by bait and gets trapped, most human beings area also prone to falling into trap of material benefits. The story revolves round the incident of a man getting trapped due to his avarice. Hence the title is an apt one.

SUMMARY:-

THE RATTRAP

Selma Lagerlof

The story is based on the universal theme that the essential goodness in man can be awakened through understanding and love.

The story revolves around the belief that the whole world is nothing but a big rattrap with all its temptations used as baits.

The author uses the rattrap as a metaphor to justify the theme and basic idea that the world offers riches and joys as baits to trap man. The peddler in the story is taken in by the multiple baits offered to him in the form of a cottage on the roadside, the crofter's hospitality and his confidences. Most of all, it was the money shown by the crofter that brought him back into the trap. He came back to steal the 30 kronors shown by his host. In his attempt to save himself from the clutches of law he got all the more entangled into the trap. He became a victim of his own philosophy of life.

The world, like bait, kept enticing him further in the form of the iron master and his daughter with all their hospitalities that they offered. The kind treatment meted out to him by Miss. Edla Willmansson left a deep impression on him. It awakened the hidden goodness in him on seeing that she had gone out of her way to make him comfortable and had also opposed her father who wanted to turn him away on realising that he was not the man, his old army comrade that he had taken him for.

It was Edla's attitude that helped the peddler get released from the trap. He surrendered the stolen money and also thanked her for bringing about the much desired change in him. His basic goodness came to the fore because of her sympathies and her concern toward him. Quite rightly, he addressed her as, "Honoured and Noble Miss," while writing the note to her.

v Character traits of the Rattrap Seller:

·        Poverty stricken life, difficult circumstances.

·        Begging, petty thievery and selling rattraps occasionally were his means of livelihood.

·        Morally not upright

·        Spares not even his host the old crofter-cheats him of his 30 kronors.

·        Takes advantage of situations and opportunities. Philosophical and thoughtful (ponderous)

·        Basic/inherent goodness in man is brought out in him through the kindness of Edla.

v Ironmaster's Daughter Edla Willmansson

·        Kind, compassionate, shy, modest, humble and a great host.

·        With a keen perception and an extremely sharp observation, she zeroes down on the fact that the peddler had robbed someone or was on the run. She could even judge that he did not seem to be lettered.

·        In a subtle way she brings out the hidden but inherent goodness of the peddler by liberating him from the 'philosophical' trap; of his own raking.

·        Persuasive

·        Truly/aptly deserves the titles: Honourable and Noble.

v The ironmaster

·        Successful Businessman famous for supplying good quality iron products.

·        Was an army officer earlier

·        Dedicated businessman

·        Hasty and haughty in temperament.

·        Not a good judge of characters

VALUE BASED QUESTIONS

5 Marks

100 Words

The Rattrap

Q. After reading the text ‘The Rattrap’, you feel that moral virtues can change a person’s life. These play a vital role in the moral and spiritual development of a human-being.

Therefor write a paragraph on ‘Needs for inculcating moral values’ in about 100 words.

Ans.                                       Inculcation of Moral Values

            All of us are quite aware that a smooth and peaceful life has got its own significance in our life. A troubled and tensed life is meaningless as it gives birth to so many ailments and problems. By adopting and inculcating values like truthfulness, punctuality, regularity, fellow-feeling, sympathy and a selfless service; we make our life a boon for all. In other words these are etiquettes of society. The machine and wheel of life run. We must learn to pay due respect to our elders and love needy, poor and our young-ones. We can be a role model for others. Suppose we are late for school. It will tense us and increase our blood pressure. The fear of scolding will go on haunting us till we reach institution and face the consequences.

Further such mental vices turn us addict and we become habitual. These things troubles in our later life. A student life is the best platform to attain as well as earn these virtues. By sitting and working together, we learn different qualities like truth, fellow-feeling, sympathy, equality, service, help and affection. These pave a good path for our future life and the society kin which we have to live. A man without social and moral virtues lives nowhere. He is seen with hatred and distorting eyes. All see him with dubious views. He loses trust, confidence, affection and honour. If we want success in our life, we must inculcate among us these virtues. Let us meditate deeply and make our life meaningful, successful, acclaimable and satisfactory. It is our own hands to be a useful citizen and serve others in this very short span of life.

Q. The story “The Rattrap” suggests that the whole world is like a rattrap. What is your interpretation of the statement? Write in about 100 words.

Ans.: It is rightly said that the whole world is nothing but a big rattrap. All riches, joys, food and shelter are just baits. The moment anyone attracted towards the bait and touches it, the rattrap closes one into itself. Then everything comes to an end. The man has made his life full of materialistic pleasures. These materialists’ pleasures tempt everyone towards them. Every person runs towards them, tries hard to achieve them and ultimately comes to an end. This is nothing but the dark side of these materialistic pleasures. A coin has two sides same as the world is formed of good and bad deeds. If one is able to maintain and control one’s wishes in order to live a happy and contended life, he may escape to be  a victim of this rattrap.

Q.  “The Rattrap” is a story that focuses on human loneliness and the need to be kind to other. It shows how an act of kindness can change a person’s view of the world. In keeping with this mood of the story, write an article on ‘On being kind’.

ANS:                                             ‘On Being Kind’

‘Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and blind can see rightly said Mark Twain. Kindness is the universal language that is comprehended beyond boundaries. Being kind to other instills a positive feeling of joy to the recipient. The doer is also satiated by the feeling of warmth and compassion. All religions teach us to express kindness toward other. Even the mute animal waves their tail as a return gesture to kindness shown to them. Plants grow large and bear fruits as a response to the kind behavioral attribute by the human beings.

Being kind to your siblings or peers helps to build strong bonding. Showing kindness to neighbors and colleagues helps in developing a positive social environment. A kind word to a person who has gone astray may even change his approach to life. If you have been kind to someone by ignoring his small fault or simply said ‘never mind, take care next time’ will always be remembered by that person. Be kind and the same will come back to you. Finally, be kind to yourself and give space to the trivial mistakes in life.

The Rattrap

Exercise

1.   Why does the peddler feel that the whole world is a rattrap?

2.  How did people usually treat the peddler and what made the crofter different?

3.  Breach of trust is the worst crime one can commit? How is it true in the case of peddler?

4.  How does the writer bring out the allegory in the lesson when the peddler is trapped in the forest?

5.  What made the peddler respond to the name Nils Olof?

6.  What made the ironmaster send his daughter to persuade the peddler?

7.  Edla was very observant, quick and sharp in Nature –justify

8. Why does Edla stop the peddler from going away though she knew that he is not the captain?

9.  What trait of the daughter is brought out when her father talks about her being worse than a parson

10.   Safety and security is a distant dream even in one’s own home. What makes the peddler safe and secure n the house of ironmaster?

11.     What was Edla`s x`mas gift to the peddler?

12.    What was the peddler’s return gift to Edla?

13.    Why does he sign in as the captain?

Essays

1. How were the two hosts’ - the crofter and the ironmaster different from one another?

2. In what way does humour help us to sympathies with the peddler?

3. Is the reader relieved by the way the story ended. Justify your answer

4. The story rattrap is highly philosophical. Discuss

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