Class 12 NCERT English Flamingo The Rattrap Important Questions | Previous Years Solved Questions

Class 12 NCERT English Flamingo 

The Rattrap

Questions and Answers | Up Board 

Chapter 4 Question Answer

 

 

Objective Questions 

• Multiple Choice Questions

 

1. The Peddler had the idea of the world in

(a) Happy moments 

(b) Odd moments 

(c) Difficult moments

(d) Distractive moments 

Ans. (b) The peddler lead a very monotonous life. As a result, he had a lot of free time thinking of things. It was during one of such odd instances when he was thinking about his rattraps that he had his idea of the world. 

 

2. Why was the peddler's life sad and monotonous ?

(a) Because he had no family. 

(b) Because he had to work hard.

(c) Because he was poor and lonely.

(d) Because he had no respect in the society. 

Ans.(c) Peddler's life was sad and monotonous because he was a poor rattrap seller. He was alone in the world as he had no family and due to his poverty striken condition no-one would befriend him. 

 

3. But one day this man had fallen into a line of thought, which really seemed to him entertaining. The 'line of thought' implies a 

(a) Belief

(b) Philosophy 

(c) A fallacy

(d) Fact 

Ans. (b) The line of thought, i.e. the idea that the world is a rattrap with its own baits, is a premise of philosophy 

 

4. "Left to his own meditations", one day the peddler fell into "a line of thought, which really seemed to him entertaining". What does the peddler's conception of the world as a rattrap, signify about him?

(a) The peddler had a lot of time on his hands, with nothing much to do. 

(b) The peddler was a reflective man whose wisdom did not depend on his status.

(c) The peddler was a lonely vagrant trying to make sense of his fortunes 

(d) The peddler was a rattrap seller, and his work deeply inspired him. 

Ans.(c) The fact that the peddler came to the line of thought indicates that he was a lonely ragabond who was trying to understand his own poverty stricken and depraved condition. 

 

5. Why was the old crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler? 

(a) Because he trusted the peddler. 

(b) Because the peddler was his old friend. 

(c) Because he lived there all alone and was happy to get someone to talk to 

(d) Because he thought that he peddler was a gold guy. 

Ans.(c) The old man/crofter was generous, friendly and talkative with the peddler because, he lived alone in his cottage. He had no family and could have enjoyed the company of another man. 

 

6. The Rattrap seller says that when he reached the cottage, "instead of the sour faces which ordinarily met him, he received a different treatment. What kind of treatment did the seller get? 

(a) Hostile

b) Incredulous 

(b) Generous

(d) Suspicious 

Ans. (b) The different treatment received by the peddler was of kindness, friendliness and generosity. The peddler was warmly welcomed and entertained in the cottage 

 

7. Select the suitable option for the given statements, based on your reading of ‘The Rattrap’. 

1. The vagabond enjoyed the company of the crofter and wanted to help him out. 

2. The vagabond stole the money so that he could find a living for himself. 

(a) I can be inferred but 2 cannot be. 

(b) 1 is cannot be inferred 2 can be. 

(c) Both 1 and 2 can be inferred.

(d) Both 1 and 2 cannot be inferred. 

Ans. (b) The vagabond was only feeling surprised at receiving the warm treatment from the old crofter. Infact, he felt greedy when the old crofter showed him the money. So, he stole it to make a living for himself.

 

8. After following the sound of the regular thumping, where did the peddler finally land? 

(a) City

(b) Forest 

(c) Manor house

(d) Ramsjö Iron Mills 

Ans.  (d) The sound of the regular thumping was coming from Ramsjo iron mills where the Blacksmith and his apprentice was working. 

 

9. "Every now and then one of them got up to stir the glowing mass with a long iron bar, returning in a few moments dripping with perspiration, though, as was the custom," What was the custom? 

(a) To sit with the helper in the dark forge 

(b) To wear nothing but a long shirt and a pair of wooden shoes 

(c) Shoveling the charcoal into the maw of the furnace 

(d) Dripping with perspiration but still working through

the furnace. 

Ans. (b) The given lines indicate the custom in the iron mill for the blacksmith and his apprentice was that they wore nothing but a long shirt and a pair of wooden shoes while working near the furnace. 

 

10. “You must have patience, my little girl," said the father. 

The given line shows that the iron master was a………………………

(a) Loving father

(b) Rational person 

(c) Egoist

(d) Both (a) and (b) 

Ans. (d) The ironmaster was a loving father who couldn't say no to his eldest daughter Edla. At the same time, he was a rational person who understood the negative consequences that they could face for harboring the peddler. 

 

11. But although his guest was now so well groomed, the ironmaster did not seem pleased. Why was the ironmaster not pleased? 

(a) Because of the change in his friend 

(b) Because of the news of a robbery. 

(c) Because the guest was not his acquaintance.

(d) Because his daughter had defied him. 

Ans. (c) The ironmaster had expected the stranger to be his friend captain Nils Olof. However, when the groomed stranger came out, he did not anyhow resemble his friend but was infact a stranger. 

 

12. Select the suitable option for given statements, based on your reading of ‘The Rattrap’. 

1. The ironmaster is skeptical of letting the peddler stay with them. 

2. This fears come out to be true as the peddler is identified as a thief. 

(a) Both 1 and 2 are true. 

(b) Both 1 and 2 are false 

(c) 1 is true but 2 is false 

(d) 1 is false but 2 is true.

Ans.(a) The ironmaster was suspicious of the peddler and did not really approve of letting him stay in his house. This suspicion came out to be true as the day after Christmas, they had gotten to know that the peddler was a thief who had looted the old crofter 

 

13. "Yes, that was a line fellow you let into the house," said her father. What light does the given line throw on the ironmaster as a father?

(CBSE Question Bank 2021)

(a) The ironmaster was disapproving of Edla's decision to let the peddler stay. 

(b) The ironmaster blamed his daughter for harboring a criminal at home. 

(c) The ironmaster was being playful with Edla, and supported her decisions. 

(d) The ironmaster loved Edla but thought her to be too naive and idealistic. 

Ans.(a) The ironmaster was skeptical of his daughter Edla's decision to let the peddler stay with them. So, when the true identity of the peddler was revealed to them, he leaves no chance of reminding Edla of his disapproval. 

 

14. "Yes, that was a fine fellow you let into the house," said her father. "I only wonder how many silver spoons are left in the cupboard by this time" The tone used in the given lines can be described as ..........

(a) Sarcastic 

(b) Disgust 

(c) Sorrow 

(d) Angry 

Ans. (a) All through the return journey from the Chruch, the ironmaster taunts and makes sarcastic comments on Edla's decision to harbour a poor peddler 

 

15. Choose the statement that is not true about the peddler. 

(a) The peddler wanted the ironmaster to give him some money, 

(b) The peddler feels guilty and curses himself for stealing. 

(c) The peddler was enchanted by Edla even though he finds her to be modestly beautiful 

(d) The peddler wishes to live a respectful life like a captain 

Ans.(c) The peddler gets affected by Edla's kind and compassionate behaviour so much so that he decides to lead a respectable life. There is no mention of infatuation and Edla's beauty 

 

16. Though the reader does not meet Captain von Stahle in person, they encounter the captain symbolically. How? 

(CBSE Question Bank 2021) 

(a) The ironmaster misidentifies the peddler as his old friend, the Captain and invites him home. 

(b) The reader realises the peddler is actually Captain von Stahle when he signs off the letter. 

(c) Edla attends to the peddler as respectfully, caringly and kindly, as she would have the Captain 

(d) The peddler accepts the error of his ways, and displays the qualities expected of a Captain.

Ans. (d) In the end, the peddlers's action of asking Edla to return the thirty Kronor makes the peddler a metaphorical captain. He, much like a captain, accepts the error in his ways and displays the qualities expected of a captain 

 

 

 

 

• Extract Based MCQs 

1. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow. 

"It offered riches and joys, shelter and food, heat and clothing, exactly as the rattrap offered cheese and pork, and as soon as anyone let himself be tempted to touch the bait, it closed in on him, and then everything came to an end. 

The world had, of course, never been very kind to him, so it gave him unwanted joy to think ill of it

in this way." 

(i) How can the peddler describe the world?

(a) Unjust and hostile 

(b) Unequal and brutal 

(c) Kind and compassionate

(d) Sad and sorrowful 

Ans. (a) From the given extract, it can be inferred that the peddler does not think anything positive for the world. The world for him is not kind and just. 

 

(ii) Select the option the matches the reference to ‘riches and joys, shelter and food". 

(a) Deceit

(b) Temptation 

(c) Materialism

(d) Luxury 

Ans. (b) The 'riches and joys, shelter and food' represents the bait or the temptations that tempt or lures the people to fall into the rattrap. 

 

(iii) Why do you think that the world was not very kind to him? 

(a) He was poor and dirty 

(b) He was a thief 

(c) He was a rattrap seller

(d) He looked monstrous 

Ans.(a) The peddler says that the world was not kind to him because he was a poor rattrap seller. He wore rags, had sunken cheeks and overall looked very dirty. 

 

(iv) The given extract does not talk about

(a) how people treated the peddler 

(b) the philosophy of the rattrap seller 

(c) the characteristics of the peddler

(d) the monotony of peddler's life 

Ans. (d) The given extract, in its description of the philosophy given by the rattrap seller and the reason why such philosophy came to him, characterises the peddler. There is no mention of monotony of life in the extract

 

(v) Select the option that list the correct characteristic of the rattrap seller. 

1. Shabby

2. Cunning 

3. Pessimist

4. Vulnerable 

5. Mischievous

6. Petty 

(a) 1, 2, 3

(b) 1,3,6 

(c) 4,5,6

(d) 2, 4,5 

Ans. (b) The rattrap seller is a shabby looking poor man. Because of the unkindly treatment meted out to him, he became a pessimist and a petty individual. 

 

2. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow. 

...it was a big and confusing forest which he had gotten into. He tried, to be sure, to walk in a definite direction, but the paths twisted back and forth so strangely! He walked and walked without coming to the end of the wood, and finally he realised that he had only been walking around in the same part of the forest. All at once he recalled his thoughts about the world and the rattrap. Now his own turn had come. He had let himself be fooled by a bait and had been caught. The whole forest, with its trunks and branches, its thickets and fallen logs, closed in upon him like an impenetrable prison from which he could never escape.

(CBSE Question Bank 2021) 

(i) How would you characterise the mood of the above extract? 

(a) Mysterious, restful 

(b) Ominous, despairing 

(c) Thoughtful, whimsical

(d) Philosophical, anguished 

Ans. (b) The given extract presents the despairing mood of the rattrap seller. In his despair, he foretells his death. 

 

(ii) By what bait had the peddler been fooled?

(a) He had chosen to take the 'safe forest route. 

(b) He had decided to avoid the public highway. 

(c) He had stolen money from the trusting crofter.

(d) He didn't realize the power of his rattrap analogy 

Ans.(c) The bait that tempts the peddler is the 30 kroner notes that the old gullible crofter shows him. The peddler is fooled and trapped by the bait as he steals the money. 

 

(iii) The consequence of his own turn' having come was that the peddler had........ 

(a) got irreversibly lost in the thick, warped forest. 

(b) been fooled and imprisoned in a hopeless prison. 

(c) been walking around the same part of the forest.

(d) walked the whole forest without finding the end. 

Ans.(a) 'His own turn refers to the act at stealing that makes the rattrap seller fall in the trap of a thick, warped forest.

 

(iv) For the Peddler, the forest had become

(a) an inevitable prison 

(b) a hopeless trap

(e) an unending circle 

(d) an impenetrable maze 

Ans.(c) As the peddler gets lost in the forest, he feels that it is a never ending path wherein he is going around in circle's reaching the same spot again and again. For him, thus, the forest had become an unending circle.

 

 

 

PART 2 Subjective Questions 

• Short Answer Type Questions 

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

or 

In what sense was the world a big rattrap, according to the peddler? 

Ans. The peddler was a vagabond who went around selling rattraps made by him. One clay, as he was thinking about his rattraps, he was struck by the idea that the world was a big rattrap. Riches, food, joys and shelter served as baits to tempt people. just like a rattrap offered cheese or meat to tempt rats. As soon as one was tempted to touch the bait, the rattrap closed and the individual was trapped.

 

Q.2. Why was the peddler amused at the idea of the world being a rattrap.

[CBSE 2016] 

Ans. Wherever the peddler went, people were hostile to him and chased him away. So, he was amused by the idea of the world being a big rattrap. He was also happy that those who chased him away would also be tempted and caught up in the rattrap one day, 

 

Q.3. What do we learn about the crofter's nature from the story "The Ratrap? 

[CBSE 2016] 

Ans. The crofter was a lonely person without wife or child. He was happy to get someone to talk to in his loneliness. He was also generous and trusting person because he hosted the peddler for a night and even showed him where he had kept his money. 

 

Q.4. How did the crofter entertain the peddler.

[CBSE 2020] 

Ans. The crofter entertained the peddler by sharing his feelings, giving him food and even playing a game of cards with him. He behaved in a friendly manner with the peddler and welcomed him warmly to his house. 

 

Q.5. Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?

[NCERT] 

Ans. No, the peddler didn't respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter. The crofter had showed him the thirty kronor which he had earned and where it was kept in a pouch near a window. The next day, when the crofter had gone out to deliver the cow's milk to the creamery, the peddler came back, broke the window pane, and stole the thirty kronor. 

 

Q.6. What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?

[NCERT] 

or 

Why did the peddler keep to the woods after leaving the crofter's cottage? How did he feel?

(CBSE 2011) 

Ans. After stealing the crofter's money, the peddler kept to the woods because he couldn't walk on the public highway for the fear of getting identified and caught. It was a big and confusing forest and the peddler lost his way in it. Suddenly, the truth dawned upon him. He thought that the forest was a big rattrap in which he had fallen. The thirty kronor were like a bait which had been set to tempt him, and he had allowed himself to be fooled and caught. 

 

Q.7. Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home? 

[CBSE 2016] 

Ans. The ironmaster spoke kindly to the peddler and invited him home because he mistook the peddler for his old regimental comrade, Nils Olof, who had, fallen on evil days. This happened when the ironmaster came to the mill for inspection and noticed the peddler lying close to the furnace. Due to the dim light and the peddler's dirty appearance, he mistook him for his former colleague.

 

Q.8. Why did the stranger not tell the ironmaster that he was not Nils Olof?

[CBSE 2012] 

Ans. The stranger did not tell the ironmaster that he was not Nils Olof because he thought that if the gentleman believed that he was an old friend or acquaintance of his, then he might take pity on him and help him by giving him some money. 

 

Q.9. Why did the peddler decline the invitation?

or 

Why did the peddler decline the invitation extended to him by the ironmaster? 

[CBSE 2019] 

Ans. The peddler declined the invitation of the ironmaster because he was carrying the crofter's money which he had stolen. He is fearful that his real identity would be revealed and he might be handed over to the police. 

 

Q.10. What made the peddler accept Edla Willmanssons invitation?

or 

Why did the peddler accept the invitation extended by Edla having already declined the one from her father?

[CBSE 2019] 

Ans. Edla's kindness made the peddler feel that he could trust her and this made him accept her invitation. Edla talked to him compassionately, assuring him that no harm would come to him, and that he would be at liberty to leave whenever he wanted. 

 

Q.11. What doubts did Edla have about the peddler?

Ans. When Edla met the peddler, he became afraid. This made Edla think that the peddler had stolen something or he had escaped from jail. She doubted whether he was her father's old regimental comrade. Later she even told her father that there was nothing about him to show that he was once an educated man. 

 

Q.12. 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. In his defence, the peddler said that it was not his fault. He also said that he never pretended to be anything but a poor trader. He pleaded and begged to be allowed to stay in the forge. He added that he had not done any harm and if asked he would put on his rags again and go away

 

13. Why did Edla decide to entertain the peddler?

[CBSE 2019] 

Ans. Edla decided to entertain the peddler against the wishes of her father because she felt very bad for him and his miserable condition. Further, it was Christmas time and as a true Christian, it was not fair to turn away the guest on the eve of Christmas. 

 

14. Edla sat and hung her head even more dejectedly than usual. Which two reasons forced her to behave in that manner?

(Foreign 2010) 

Ans. Edla had shown kindness to the peddler even after knowing that he was not a captain. This was the reason why she felt all the more dejected when she came to know that the peddler was actually a thief who had recently robbed a crofter. She felt that she had done wrong in offering shelter to a thief. Secondly, she also felt bad because the peddler had not measured up to the faith which she had shown in him. 

 

Q.15. Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von Stable?

[NCERT, CBSE 2009] 

Ans. The peddler signed himself as Captain von Stahle because he had been treated at the ironmaster's home like a real captain even after knowing he was not a captain. He wanted to repay Edla for her kindness just as a real captain would have done. It was an indication that he wanted to retain the dignity and respect accorded to him. 

 

Q.16. Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?

[NCERT, CBSE 2010] 

Ans. Edla was happy to see the gift left by the peddler because it was unexpected. Earlier Edla was shocked to learn that their guest was actually a thief. She had pleaded with her father to let the peddler stay. She held herself responsible for offering shelter to a thief. But when she found the stolen thirty kronor in a rattrap, she was overjoyed to understand that her kindness and compassion had changed the peddler and brought out his essential goodness.

 

Q.17. If the world is nothing but a big rattrap', as the tramp seated in the story 'The Rattrap, who might the rattrap peddler be? Discuss.

[CBSE Question Bank 2021] 

Ans. If the world is nothing but a big rattrap' as per the tramp then, the rattrap peddler can become someone who sells the baits of the world. However, he is just another human being in the world, who is tempted into the rattrap as he steals money from the old crofter. He is reduced to just a person who conceptualised the idea but is not saved from it.

 

Q.18. Despite his philosophical insights, the vagabond fails to resist temptations. What would you attribute this to? Explain with reference to any instance from the text. 

[CBSE Question Bank 2021] 

Ans. Despite is philosophical insights, the vagabond fails to resist temptations simply because of his humanness. The vagabond is a poor and a deprived man who is treated and unkindly by the social world around him. Just like every other individual, he is also vulnerable to the baits of food, shelter, luxury, etc. Hence, the bait comes to him when the old crofter shows him his money, Blinded by the bait, he also falls in the rattrap. 

 

• Long Answer Type Questions 

Q.1. The peddler's story speaks on a general level to society, urging for a different outlook towards those maligned individuals who can be redeemed by compassion and understanding. In the light of the story "The Rattrap mentioned, how do you think society can help individuals, specially juvenile delinquents, from falling prey to petty crimes and bad habits? 

Ans. The peddler in the story, 'The Rattrap', used to earn his living by selling small rattraps. Since his business was not profitable, he resorted to petty thefts. Nobody treated him with kindness or respect. But when he was showered with affection and respect by Edla, he was highly touched. The act of concern and compassion impacted him so much that he left the stolen money at her home. This shows that goodness is latent in the human heart which can be brought out by love, care and understanding. 

The peddler's instance, thus, urges society to change its outlook towards those maligned individuals who can be redeemed by compassion and understanding. Society can help such individuals by being sympathetic and compassionate. 

It should treat these individuals, particularly juvenile delinquents, with love and kindness and help them from falling prey to petty crimes and bad habits. Society should thus develop an empathetic attitude towards them and try to understand human nature. 

 

Q.2. Compare and contrast the character of the iron master with that of his daughter. 

[CBSE 2017] 

Ans. The ironmaster was a man of power and ambition. He was so hardworking, disciplined and sober that he did rounds in his mills to make sure that everything was working properly. But he was also impulsive and completely non-persuasive. He invited the peddler home without confirming his identity and even when the pedder refused, he sent his daughter to convince the latter to come to his home.

The ironmaster is also a realist. He is practical and morally strict. As soon as he sees the peddlers true identity he orders him to leave. While he does not show any softness with the peddler, he does so with his daughter whose wishes he accepts. 

On the other hand, Edla, the ironmaster's daughter, was a kind and compassionate lady who was really sympathetic and considerate towards the peddler right from the beginning. She is observant and suspicious of the peddler's identity. 

She treated him with respect and dignity even after knowing that was not a captain. It was her generous attitude which finally changed the peddler, bringing out the essential goodness of his nature.

 

Q.3. The peddler believed that the whole world is a rattrap. How did he himself get caught in the same?

[CBSE 2017] 

Ans. The peddler in the story The Rattrap believed very strongly that this world was a big rattrap. It offered comforts and joys just like the rattrap offered food to a rat. As soon as a rat was tempted to touch the bait, it trapped him. In same way food, joys and shelter served as baits to tempt people who get trapped thereafter But one day peddler himself was caught in such a trap. 

One day when he sought refuge at a crofter's house, he came across a bait. The old crofter showed him the money which he had earned. The crofter's hospitality served as a bait for the peddler as, the next morning, he stole the money and fled into the forest. 

He got lost there and felt the forest was a big rattrap into which he had fallen. Later, he again gets caught into the trap when Edla invites him home with the assurance of Christmas cheer. Devoid of happiness, food and shelter, the peddler repeatedly surrenders to worldly temptations. 

 

Q.4. To be grateful is a great virtue of a gentleman. How did the peddler show his gratitude to Edla?

[CBSE 2015] 

Ans. It is truly said that a gentlemen shows the virtue of gratefulness. This statement stands true for the character of the peddler in the story ‘The Rattrap’ wherein the peddler transforms into a gentleman due to the compassion and kindness shown by Edla. 

Edla knew that her father was mistaken when he invited the peddler home thinking he was his long lost friend. Later it was revealed that he was a complete stranger and not her father's acquaintance. Despite this Edla begged her father not to send him away on Christmas Eve. She invited him home and gave him food, shelter and clothes. Her kindness, compassion and sympathy bring out the goodness in the peddler. 

He leaves a packet for her as a Christmas gift which contains a rattrap and three ten kronor notes stolen from the crofter. It also contained a letter in which he signs himself as captain and requests her to return the stolen money to the crofter. Hence, by transforming himself into a dignified gentleman the peddler showed his gratitude to Edla and Edla's care and concern.

 

Q.5. The people we meet in life leave an impression on us. How is the rattrap seller affected by meeting the crofter and Edla?

[CBSE 2017] 

Ans. It is true that the people we meet in life leaves an impression on us. In the story. "The rattrap', the peddler comes across two people who change his life for the better. 

The Crofter He was the first person that the peddler found to be hospitable. He treated him like a guest, gave him food and entertained him by playing a game of cards with him after dinner. The crofter also shared his confidences with the peddler, but the peddler robbed him of his money. Thus, the crofter's hospitality did not affect the peddler's behaviour although, later on, the peddler's conscience pricked him for robbing the crofter's money. 

Edla She persuaded him to come home for Christmas and treated him with dignity and respect befitting a captain and a guest even after realising the truth that he was not the person her father thought him to be. She was kind and compassionate, spread Christmas cheer and gave him gifts. All this finally brought about a change in the peddler. He decided to change his ways and live with dignity and respect. When he got the chance to show his goodness, he returned the stolen ve it back to the crofter. He also left a rattrap for Edla as a Christmas present. 

 

Q.6. How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human predicament? 

Ans. The peddler, in the course of his wandering, suddenly thinks about the whole world as a big rattrap. Just as cheese and meat are baits in the rattrap, similarly the riches, joy, shelter and food that the world offers are baits to entrap and ensnare people. Being an embittered man, shunned by everybody, these thoughts give 'unwonted joy' to the tramp. He thinks of all the people around him who have fallen into the trap. 

The musings of the tramp does have an iota of truth in them. We are tempted by temptations, desires and needs. We go all out to satisfy them. In this desire to amass and accumulate more and more, we are entrapped by the world. Just in case we do not get the things we want, we are plunged into despair and gloom. In this way, the metaphor of the rattrap highlights the human predicament.

 

7. A good deed or an act of kindness can change a person's view of the world. What characteristics of Edla's conduct inspire the peddler to redeem himself and change his ways?

[CBSE 2020] 

Ans. There is great transforming power in the act of kindness. There are many fictional and real life stories which reveal us how compassion and kindness changed bad people into good human beings; these stories teach us the lesson of being kind. Edla's empathy and kindness changed the life of the vagabond rattrap seller. Edla restored his dignity and self-worth and treated him like a Captain of the army though she was aware that he was a common tramp. She was empathetic towards the peddler and the kindness and concern she showed towards the peddler touched the core of his heart and transformed his way of thinking. Her kindness and caring nature transformed the unscrupulous vagabond into a good human being. 

This shows that the peddler was not a bad man at heart, but was only bound by his poor and unfortunate circumstances, which forced him to steal things. But the love, trust and understanding shown by Edla brought out his basic human goodness. 

 

8. "The Rattrap focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond with others. Comment. 

[CBSE 2019]

Ans. All the characters in the story, "The Rattrap, suffer from loneliness and are dreary souls. First of all, the tramp appears to lead a sad, monotonous existence, left to his own musings. He is always greeted by sour faces and cold words wherever he goes. Next, the old crofter lives all alone in a cottage by the roadside. He is happy to get someone to talk to and get over his sense of loneliness. That's the reason why he is so generous and hospitable as a host. Then the iron master and his daughter Edla also have no company for Christmas. The ironmaster takes the tramp home, mistaking him to be his old comrade. He, with his daughter, is happy to play the perfect host to his former colleague. 

Thus, all of them have a strong desire for bonding and comradeship. The crofter is happy to be friends with the peddler, although only for a night. Similarly, the ironmaster and his daughter have an opportunity to practise their Christian virtues of kindness, sympathy and hospitality. The compassion and sincerity shown by Edla changes peddler into a man who is one of the members of society.

 

9. How would your compare the peddler' actions in relation to the crofter and Edla? Would you say kindness does not always beget kindness, and that the conditions for receiving kindness are important for it to truly transform people? Elaborate. Provide relevant textual details to support the analysis.

[CBSE Question Bank 2021] 

Ans. The Peddler's actions in relation to the crofter is very different from his actions in relation to Edla. In the case of the crofter's, the peddler falls for the bait. The old crofter's amiable, friendly and kind attitude tempts the peddler with livelihood. The thirty kronors shown by the crofter finally entraps the peddler 

Therefore, the paddler broke the confidence and trust reposed in him by the old crofter. In contrast, the peddler reposed the trust and kindness shown to him by Edla. Edla treats the peddler with kindness, compassion and respect worthy of a captain, even after knowing that was a mere tramp. As a consequence, the peddler decided to change his ways and start leading a respectful life. 

In light of the peddler's reaction to the kindness shown by the crofter and Edla, we can say that kindness does not always beget kindness and that the conditions for receiving kindness are important to transform people. The kindness shown by the old crofter does not effect the peddler to change him. In fact, the crofters kindness baits him to fall in a rattrap of luxuries. 

The peddler in return to the crofter 's kindness brings him misery by stealing his earnings. A similar kindness is shown by Edla. She treats the peddler like a captain. However, unlike the case the crofter the situation is different. The entrapped peddler, is regretting his acts so much that Edla's respect and kindness starts a process of transformation. Consequently, the kindness shown by Edla is begetted by her with the peddler leaving behind the stolen money to be returned. 

• Extract Based Questions 

Q1. Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow. 

No one can imagine how sad and monotonous life can appear to such a vagabond who plots along the read, left to his own meditations but one day this man had fallen into a line of thought, which really seemed to him entertaining. He had naturally been thinking of his rattrap when suddenly he was struck by the idea that the whole world was about him. The whole world with its lands and seas, its cities and villages-was nothing but a big rattrap. It had never existed for any other purpose than to set baits for people.

(i) Why is life 'sad and monotonous' for the peddler? 

(ii) For what reason was the line of thought entertaining of the peddler? 

(iii) "He had naturally been thinking of his rattrap". What does the use of naturally indicate in the extract? 

(iv) What are the baits that tempt man to fall into the trap of the world? 

(v) If the world is ‘nothing but a big rattrap' who might the rattrap peddler be? 

Ans. 

(i) Life is sad and monotonous for the peddler because he was poor and lonely. He had to make rattraps everyday or indulge in begging and theft to make his living. He could not rest or have peace for even one day:

(ii) The line of thought was entertaining to the peddler because of the hostility he received from people. It made him feel good when people get caught in the rattrap were circling around the bait. 

(iii) The word 'naturally' in the extract indicates the association of the peddler with rattraps. The peddler was a rattrap seller and it is natural for him to think about them. 

(iv) The baits that tempt a man to fall in the trap of the world include all the basic necessities and luxuries of life. These include the riches, joys, shelter, food, heat, etc. 

(v) If the world is nothing but a big rattrap the rattrap peddler can be someone who sells baits to people so that they can be entrapped. However, as per the story, the peddler himself falls prey into the rattrap. 

 

2. Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow: 

The stranger must have seemed incredulous, for the old man got up and went to the window, took down a leather pouch which hung on a nail in the very window frame, and picked out three wrinkled ten-kronor bills. These he held up before the eyes of his guest, nodding knowingly, and then stuffed them back into the pouch. The next day both men got up in good season. The crofter was in a hurry to milk his cow, and the other man probably thought he should not stay in bed when the head of the house had gotten up. (i) Why does the author say that the stranger must have Seemed incredulous? 

(ii) How did the old man earn his thirty kronor bills with him? 

(iii) What does the given lines tell us about the old man? 

(iv) The next day both men got up in good season. Explain What is the significance of the given lines? 

Ans.

(i) The author says that the stranger must have seemed incredulous because the information that the old man had thirty kronors with him seemed unbelievable to him

(ii) The old man had earned the thirty kronors by selling milk that his cow gave. 

(iii) The given lines show us that the old man was very happy and delighted to have someone to talk to. He is so innocent that he forgets that he is too trusting of the stranger and had shown him where he kept his earnings. 

(iv) Both the men in the cottage had a great time together. The old man got someone to talk to and the peddler got to enjoy some good hospitality from the crofter. 

(v) The given lines are significant because it shows the trusting and gullible nature of the old man. It points out that the old man made a mistake in blindly trusting a strange man by showing him his money 

 

3. Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow: 

The ironmaster began to laugh. 

“That was not so badly said, my good fellow. Perhaps we should let the sheriff alone on Christmas Eve. But now get out of here as fast as you can.” 

But just as the man was opening the door, the daughter said, “I think he ought to stay with us today. I don't want him to go.” And with that she went and closed the door.

"What in the world are you doing?" Said the father. 

(i) Why did the ironmaster begin to laugh? 

(ii) What does the given lines show about the ironmaster? 

(iii) Why was the man leaving? 

(iv) Why does Edla stop the man from leaving? 

(v) How can you justify the ironmaster's reaction for his daughter's decision? 

Ans. 

(i) The ironmaster began to laugh because of the philosophy of the strange man. The strange man had just warned the ironmaster that the world is a rattrap wherein he will also be caught. 

(ii) The given lines show that the ironmaster was a jovial and a good natured fellow. 

(iii) The man was leaving because it was found that he was not a captain friend of the ironmaster. He was, in fact, just a tramp who had been misidentified. 

(iv) Edla stopped the man from leaving because she wanted to do something good on Christmas by helping the poor tramp. Further, they had promised the tramp Christmas cheer and felt that it would be wrong to send him away without it. 

(v) As a rational man, the ironmaster knows that sheltering the tramp would bring problems to their house. So, he wanted the tramp to leave and he had not expected his daughter would go against his decision.