NCERT Solutions For Class 12

English
Chapter 4 - The Rattrap

1. Notice these expressions in the text. Infer their meanings from the
context.
(i) Keep body and soul together
Ans: It means to keep yourself and your body in the best possible condition
to survive or be alive.

(ii) Hunger gleamed in his eyes

Ans: It means that the peddler was starving. He could not have food for
days and that was evident on his face.

(iii) Plods along the road

Ans: Since the peddler was tired and hungry, he walked slowly and with
heavy feet along the road.

(iv) Unwonted joy

Ans: It means experiencing unusual happiness.

(v) Impenetrable prison

Ans: It means a trap or cage you cannot escape.

(vi) Nodded a haughty consent

Ans: It means an indifferent agreement.

(vii) Eased his way

Ans: It means to move away carefully, without disturbing.

(viii)Fallen into a line of thought

Ans: It means when your thoughts align and make sense.

(ix) Things have gone downhill

Ans: It means when things start to deteriorate .

Think As You Read:

1. From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?

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Ans: While randomly plodding around one day, the peddler thought about the
rattrap he made. He suddenly caught hold of the idea of the world being a
rattrap and he grew fond of the idea. So, whenever he faced a demanding
situation, he used to think of the world in that way to comfort himself.

2. Why was he amused by this idea?

Ans: The metaphor was quite amazing. He found the idea exciting of calling
the world a rattrap and everyone as rats who get lured by the cheese, in case
of human's material things, and then get trapped in the rattrap. Over the time
he harboured feelings for the metaphor and used to think about it quite
frequently.

3. Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the
crofter?
Ans: No, the peddler never expected this kind of hospitality from the crofter.
He was more accustomed to sour faces greeting him and shooing him away.
For the first time he was greeted by a smiling face when he knocked for
shelter.

4. Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?
Ans: The crofter lived all by himself in a little cottage. He deeply carved
company since he had no friends or family. So eventually when the peddler
knocked at his door, he was more than happy to have a guest to entertain and
a company. He talked a lot with the peddler and treated him throughout his
stay.

5. Why did he show the thirty kroner to the peddler?

Ans: The crofter was a lonely person in desperate need of companionship. So,
when he saw the peddler at his doorstep, he was happy that he would have
company for some time which made his heart content. While sharing the
stories the crofter felt that the peddler did not believe him, so he got up and
showed him the thirty kroner bills that he kept in the leather pouch.

6. Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?
Ans: The crofter was a genuine person. He welcomed the peddler warmly
because he craved company and trusted him. He narrated his stories and was
very hospitable. But the peddler didn‟t reciprocate the confidence back. He
stole thirty krone that the crofter had and left the next day. It was later, while
living with the Williansons, he realized his mistake and planned to return the
money back.

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7. What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?
Ans: After being lured by the money he saw at the crofter‟s home, he stole
them the next day before leaving his place. He walked past the highway since
it would increase the risk of him being caught. While passing through the
woods he realized that he had fallen for the bait, the money, and hence had
fallen into the rattrap. He was hit by the same realization when the ironmaster
threatened to get him arrested after he got to know about his real identity.

8. Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him
home?
Ans: The ironmaster mistook the peddler for one of his acquaintances, an old
regimental comrade, Captain von Stahle. Since the peddler was in a bad
condition, he was willing to help his old friend and get him into better
condition and new vocation. He was happy not just because he met an old
friend but he would have company at home, along with his daughter during
the holiday season of Christmas.

9. Why did the peddler decline the invitation?

Ans: The ironmaster mistook the peddler to be an old regimental comrade
who was his acquaintance. The peddler knew the truth and had the stolen
amount in his pocket and hence was alarmed at the idea. He tried to correct
him but because of the greed of comfort and luxury, he gave up repulsing and
went with him. He almost threw himself voluntarily into the lion‟s den and
now his chances of being caught increased.

10. What made the peddler accept Edla Willianson's invitation?

Ans: By his frightened look, Edla guessed that the peddler had either stolen
something or had escaped prison. So, she hinted at an assurance that he would
be free to leave whenever he wanted. Reassured, he accepted the invitation.

11. What doubts did Edla have about the peddler?

Ans: Edla observed the peddler was scared when she went to the iron mill to
get him. She had her suspicions about the peddler stealing something or
escaping prison. His appearance and behaviour also left her in doubt whether
he was an educated man, as claimed by her father.

12. When did the ironmaster realise his mistake?

Ans: The peddler was in a shabby state when the ironmaster saw him at the
factory. He mistook him to be one of his acquaintances and brought him home
to spend Christmas with him and his daughter. When the peddler was washed,

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shaved and bathed by the valet, his real look showed up and the ironmaster
could make out that he made a mistake because of the reflection that came
from the furnace.

13. What did the peddler say in his defence when it was clear that he was
not the person the ironmaster had thought he was?
Ans: On being accused, the peddler immediately said that he never told the
ironmaster that he was captain or an acquaintance of his, and he also revolted
coming to his home. It was the ironmaster who insisted on getting him home
to spend the Christmas and wouldn't listen to what he was saying.

14. Why did Edla still entertain the peddler even after she knew the truth
about him?
Ans: Edla had a kind heart. She spent most of the time alone since there was
no one at home apart from her father. She was happy to have company for the
Christmas eve, and asked him to stay. She also felt sad for the condition he
was in and wanted to make him feel happy and comfortable for the occasion.
It provided her delight and happiness to think of the ways she could help the
tramp, and make Christmas special for him.

15. Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?
Ans: Edla was happy to have the peddler stay for the Christmas dinner. When
the peddler left the next day, unannounced about his departure, she was sad.
They also got to know about the robbery at the crofter‟s home. On coming
across the gift she was pleased and appreciated the small gesture of the
peddler.

16. Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von Stahle?
Ans: The peddler was always treated badly by the people he came across. He
was disappointed with humanity and called the world a rattrap. It was because
of Edla he understood what respect meant, and it encouraged him to change
his ways eventually. He signed himself off as Captain von Stahle because he
wrote the letter as a dignified and respected man and not a peddler.

Understanding The Text

1. How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality
shown by the crofter, the ironmaster, and his daughter?
Ans: The separate ways in which the peddler repaid the three people
corresponds to the way he interpreted the kindness of the three people. The
peddler realised that the crofter's desire for company was the driving force

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behind his offer of hospitality. The ironmaster's hospitality is limited to his
acquaintances. It was only the daughter who genuinely offered warmth and
goodness to the peddler. He was touched by Edla's kindness and it made him
want to act differently. He repaid her effective treatment with a gesture of
heartfelt gratitude.

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?
Ans: Edla and her father had different approaches and outlook towards life.
Edla was more concerned about an individual‟s feelings than her father. Even
after his identity was revealed she persisted in inviting him over Christmas
dinner. She had a great convincing power and made both her father and the
peddler accept the invitation. She felt bad for the peddler and wanted to do
her best to make the Christmas special for him. She did not think of the
repercussions it might have which her father did. He was scared that he might
steal something from the home since he is poor, but Edla did not submit to
that. It was because of her efforts and pure heart that the peddler changed his
ways and established trust in humanity again.

3. The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the

characters to others' behaviour. Pick out instances of these surprises.
Ans: There are various subtle instances where the character gets unexpected
reactions from other people he comes across. He was so used to being shooed
away and hated that being well-treated was something he did not expect out
of anyone. The crofter greeted the peddler hospitably, even though he just
went in to get some warmth. Later he was also invited to visit the home by the
ironmaster, which we eventually realize was a mistake. There at the home he
met his daughter, Edla who invited him to stay over for Christmas even after
knowing he was a peddler. It was Edla's compassion and hospitality that
changed the peddler‟s outlook towards life completely. In the end of the letter
to Edla he mentioned that he was now caught in the rattrap this world was.

4. What made the peddler finally change his ways?

Ans: The peddler's perception towards life changed after he had a random
incident with the manor of Williansons. Since he was poor, he was always
looked down upon and never treated well. This, over the years, made him
conclude that the entire world is a rattrap, and the human luxuries and
emotions are just like cheese to get one into the rattrap. On the contrary, he
was warmly welcomed by him. He fed him well and took diligent care of him.
Even though he still could not trust their pure intentions, it was Edla, who left

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a deep impression on him and his life. Her genuine care and understanding of
nature changed the peddler for better. He accepted the world and life with an
open heart and started believing in humanity again.

5. How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human
predicament?
Ans: The peddler used the metaphor of rattrap throughout the story. It
signified that the world is a rattrap and we as mice, are provided with the
baitS of wealth, emotions, and other human pleasures (symbolic of cheese).
The ones who get lured by this greed end up being captured in the shackles of
the world and cannot escape it forever. The entire world runs blindly behind
the pursuits of these pleasures and forgets to enjoy what life can offer them.
The writer focuses on making the reader realize that material purists are not
the only things we should run after. Sometimes we should just slow down to
enjoy the small gifts that life presents us that can leave a deep impact on us.
The peddler, despite his negative outlook towards the world, is moved by the
kindness of Edla.

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 endear him to us?
Ans: The peddler did not hold good intentions even after being greeted with
hospitality and warmth. The theme throughout the narration is serious and
dark but we can see a subtle sense of humour under the darkness. The peddler
thought about the world as a giant rattrap and did not have a positive outlook
towards life. He never tried to change this outlook towards the world since he
provided his brain with enough affirmative evidence to prove the same. This
metaphor also makes the ironmaster laugh. The Christmas present he
presented to Edla was evidence of his underlying humour and these instances
help to lighten the darkness in the story.

Talking About the Text

1. The reader’s sympathy is with the peddler right from the beginning of
the story. Why is this so? Is the sympathy justified?
Ans: The reader sympathizes with the peddler from the beginning. He just
roamed around on the streets, carrying the rattraps he made, searching for
shelter at night during snow days. It was not only his miserable state that
made the reader empathize with him but also the ideology he formed about
the world. He was never welcomed at any place and often shooed away and
considered a nuisance. This made him believe that the world was a rattrap and

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all these human emotions and luxuries are the bait for the trap and he should
avoid them. Hence, he detached himself from everyone and went through the
suffering alone. I believe the sympathy is justified because even if he was a
thief, he still harboured human emotions and the sufferings he went through
broke him from deep within.

2. The story also focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond with
others.
Ans: The peddler, for most of his life, wandered alone, selling the rat traps he
made and surviving. He was often shooed away and never respected or treated
with compassion. He ended up developing hatred towards other humans and
labelled the world as a rattrap. Everyone in the story was alone. The crofter
sat there near the fire by himself and Edla and her father were the only two at
home. He was taken by surprise when someone treated him well. He was
taken aback when the crofter, ironmaster and Edla cared for him and
respected him, as a human. It was Edla‟s kindness and compassion that
changed his outlook on life forever. She invited him for the Christmas dinner,
despite knowing the fact that he was a poor peddler and was excited to serve
him as a guest in the home.

3. Have you known/heard of an episode where a good deed or an act of

kindness has changed a person's view of the world?
Ans: Good karma always returns back, multiplied many folds. We are often
told stories by our grandmas about good deeds and that helps to change our
perspective on the world. We might have a negative outlook on life because
of the experiences we might have gone through but these small positive
incidents in our lives change it for good. I haven't heard of an episode where a
good deed has changed the person for good but I surely do believe in the idea.

4. The story is both entertaining and philosophical.

Ans: Throughout the story the peddler consistently calls and proves that the
world is a rattrap is quite amusing. His continued repulsion for material things
is entertaining and read and eventually him getting trapped in that rattrap is
amusing too. The story grabs the attention of the reader not only by this
amazing metaphor but also by the witty dialogues that force the reader to
think about his outlook on life. The author not only crafted an entertaining
piece but also brought into attention certain vital issues that are often brushed
off by the masses. The storms we as humans face in our lives can often lead
us to develop a negative outlook towards life which can be restraining after a
certain point. The author wants to encourage everyone to come out of the

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limited mindset and give ourselves a chance to experience life more fully.
There is more to life than what the physical eye can catch, and it enriches life
further. It also focuses on how kindness by someone can change their
perception towards life and hence encourages everyone to be humble and
respectful.

Working With Words

1. The man selling rattraps is referred to by many terms such as
"peddler, stranger" etc. Pick out all such references to him. What does
each of these labels indicate of the context or the attitude of the people
around him?
Ans: Since the peddler was a stranger to everyone, people judged him by his
appearance and addressed him using different terms. Some of them are
mentioned below:
Labels Contexts
Peddler He walked around and sold
rattraps
Vagabond Nomadic lifestyle
Stranger Unknown person
Guest A welcomed person at
ironman‟s home
Intruder Trespassed and entered the
iron mill
Tramp Roamed around for lodging
Ragamuffin Ironmaster noticed him in utter
disgust
Old regimental comrade Ironmaster mistaking him for
old friend
Hungry wretch Edla inviting the person over
dinner
Rat Peddler called himself a rat

2. You came across the words, plod, trudge, stagger in the story. These
words indicate movement accompanied by weariness. Find five other
such words with a similar meaning.
Ans: Other words which indicate weary movement are lurch, stumble, slog,
clump, traipse, and stomp. Lurch means to make an unsteady, uncontrolled
movement; stumble means to trip; slog means to plod heavily; clump means
to walk with heavy tread; traipse means to walk reluctantly, and stomp means
to walk heavily and noisily specially to show anger.

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3. Noticing Form
1. He made them himself at odd moments.
2. He raised himself.
3. He had let himself be fooled by a bait and had been caught.
4. … a day may come when you yourself may want to get a big piece
of pork.
Notice the way in which these reflexive pronouns have been used
(pronoun + self)
In 1 and 4 the reflexive pronouns "himself" and "yourself" are used to
convey emphasis. In 2 and 3 the reflexive pronoun is used in place of
personal pronoun to signal that it refers to the same subject in the
sentence.
Pick out other examples of the use of reflexive pronouns from the story
and notice how they are used.
Ans: There are numerous examples of usage of reflexive pronouns. For
example:
Examples Usage
“...would be like throwing himself Reflexive pronoun „himself‟
voluntarily into the lion's den” has been in place of „he‟ to
show that it refers to the same
subject.

“...except my oldest daughter and „Myself‟ is the reflexive

myself” pronoun used in place of
personal pronoun „me‟,
referring to the same subject.

“...he laughed to himself.” Himself is the reflexive

pronoun used in place of
personal pronoun „he‟ to refer
to the same subject.

“...better powers of persuasion than Reflexive pronoun „himself‟

he himself” has been used in the sentence
to convey the emphasis being
laid.

“He could not bring himself to Reflexive pronoun „himself‟

oppose her.” has been used in the sentence
to refer to the same subject.

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Thinking About Language
1. Notice the words in bold in the following sentence.
"The fire boy shovelled charcoal into the maw of the furnace with a great
deal of clatter". This is a phrase that is used in the specific context of an
iron plant.
Pick out other such phrases and words from the story that are peculiar to
the terminology of ironworks.
Ans: Other such phrases are as following:
1. 'a hard regular thumping'
2. 'hammer strokes'
3. 'a large plant with smelter, rolling mill and forge'
4. 'pig iron'
5. 'coal dust'
6. 'put on the anvil'
These terms and phrases are used for various steps of iron production.

2. Mjolis is a card game from Sweden. Name a few indoor games played
in your region. 'Chopar' could be an example.
Ans: Indoor games can be fun and played with family and friends across the
world. A few indoor games in my region are ludo, carrom, chess etc.

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.
Ans: In Danish a smaller farmer is called a „landmand‟ while in Dutch he is
called „boer persoon‟. Locally in my country a person who owns a small land
is called „krishak‟ and 'kisan‟.

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