THE RATTRAP
- Selma Lagerl'o'f
Think as you read -
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1) From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap ?
Answer ) One day the peddler was thinking of his rattraps. Suddenly he by an idea that the whole world is a rattrap. And the riches and joys are baits. If some one get into it to take the bait then he or she is trapped.
2) Why was he amused by the idea ?
Answer ) He was happy as he was a poor man, who don't have anything to loose. He thought that the others were running for luxury and they will be trapped.
3) Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter ?
Answer ) No, generally he expect sour faces greeting him. But this old man invited him to his house and played cards with him, give him supper, tobacco and tell him about his confidences.
4) Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the paddler ?
Answer ) Here was friendly and talkative to the paddler because he was alone in the cottage and he don't have his wife and children. His loneliness made him talkative.
5) Why did he show the thirty kroner to the peddler ?
Answer ) He show these three notes to him to make him believe that he was saying right about his profit from the cow. He did so to set a bait for the peddler.
6) Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter ?
Answer ) No, the peddler did not respect the confidence as he come again at the cottage half an hour again and stole these three notes. It was a breach of faith.
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1) What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into the rattrap ?
Answer ) The peddler recall the fact about the rattrap. He thought of 30 kroner that he stole. And now the ironmaster had been inviting him to his house. He was throughing himself into the lion's den.
2) Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home ?
Answer ) The ironmaster thought that the stranger was his old friend from the regiment. So he was talking him friendly and inviting him home.
3) Why did the peddler decline the invitation ?
Answer ) He decline the invitation of ironmaster as he was having thirty kroner with him and thinking that he was going to trapped in a rattrap if he accepted the invitation.
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1) What made the paddler accept Edla Willmansson's invitation ?
Answer ) Edla persuade him to come at their home for the Christmas Eve. Because of his confidence, persuasive power and friendly behavior. She said that he can leave their house anytime.
2) What doubts did Edla have about the peddler ?
Answer ) Edla Willmansson saw his face carefully. She thought that he had stolen something or it was also possible that he had escaped from the prison. As he was having the hard time and was frightened.
3) When did the ironmaster realise his mistake ?
Answer ) When the paddler was shaved and stood well grooned in from of him. Then he saw him in daylight and realised his mistake. He realise that he was not his old regimental comrade.
4) What did the peddler say in his defence when it was clear that he was not the person the ironmaster thought he was ?
Answer ) He smashed his first on the table and said that the whole world is a rattrap and there is a bait and one day you will be also attracted towards the baits and will be trapped if you sent me in jail.
5) Why did Edla still entertain the peddler even after she knew the truth about him ?
Answer ) She thinks that they have promised him about Christmas cheer. The peddler was not welcomed anywhere so she wanted to make his one day of the whole year special.
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1) Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler ?
Answer ) She was happy to see the gift left by the peddler. When they know that the peddler was a thief they are frightened but he also left thirty kroner in the rattrap. This shows that the old man has changed.
2) Why did the peddler sign as Captain Von Stahle ?
Answer ) He was a vagabond. But at the ironmaster house he was honored as Captain. So he signed the letter as Captain Von Stahle to respect the respect given to him by Edla.
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