Class – 12th
Subject – English
Day – Monday
Date – 17/08/2020
Topic – Essay Type Q-Ans. of
Ch. ‘The Rattrap’
4. The Rattrap (Selma Lagerlof)
Essay Type Q-Ans.
Q. 1 How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to
highlight the human predicament?
Ans. The peddler considers
that the whole world is nothing but a big rattrap. The riches, joys, shelter
and food are nothing but mere baits. When one touches the bait, the rattrap
closes in on him. The peddler robbed thirty kronor of the old crofter who
served him food and provided shelter at night. Those thirty kronor that he stole
prove to be the bait. He is lost in a big and confusing forest. He has befooled
himself by the bait. The metaphor of the rattrap comes alive when the
ironmaster invited him to his manor house but he refused to go there. Going
there would mean going to the lion’s den. Again the metaphor is used
effectively when the peddler describes human predicament to the ironmaster.
Even the title of the story ‘The Rattrap’ is highly metaphorical. The metaphor
runs throughout the story.
Q. 2 Give a character-sketch of the peddler.
Ans. The writer of the story
draws the character of the peddler, with all sympathy and understanding. The
rattrap seller is a very poor man. He goes from place to place selling
rattraps. The peddler represents some human weaknesses. In fact, he is the
product of circumstances. The peddler is a vagabond. He is also a beggar as well
as a petty thief. He himself falls to temptation and steals thirty kronors of
the old crofter.
The writer describes the peddler in such a way that
arouses our sympathy with him. His clothes are dirty. He is very poor. He
builds rattraps from the material received in begging. The peddler raises
himself above petty temptation in the end. He thanks Miss Edla for her kindness
and hospitality. He leaves thirty kronors to be given back to the old crofter.
He also leaves a small rattrap as a Christmas present for Edla. Thus, the
readers forgive him for his little human weakness.