CBSE Class 12 English The Rattrap Worksheet Set E

Extract based questions with answers:

1. Once upon a time there was a man who went around selling small rattraps of wire. He made them himself at odd moments, from the material he got by begging in stores or at the big farms.
But even so, the business was not especially profitable, so he had to resort to both begging and petty thievery to keep body and soul together. Even so, his clothes were in rags, his cheeks were sunken, and hunger gleamed in his eyes.

Question. What did he do to sustain himself?
Answer: He resorted to begging or petty thievery to sustain himself.

Question. Which words or phrases in the passage indicate that he was very poor?
Answer: His clothes were in rags. His cheeks were sunken. Hunger gleamed in his eyes.

Question. How did the man make rattraps?
Answer: He made rattraps from the material he got begging in old stores or at the big farms.

Question. When did he make rattraps?
Answer: He made them at odd moments.

2. He had naturally been thinking of his rattraps when suddenly he was struck by the idea that the whole world 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.
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 enclosed on him, and then everything came to an end.

Question. What is used as a bait to tempt a rat?
Answer: Pork and cheese

Question. How is this world a big rattrap?
Answer: Just as a rat is trapped when it touches the piece of pork or cheese, similarly a noble man is tempted by worldly things and loses his goodness. In this way, this world is a big rattrap.

Question. What idea came to his mind? Who was he?
Answer: The idea came to his mind that the whole world about him was a big rattrap. He was a peddler.

Question. What are the temptations in the world that serve as a bait to trap a noble man?
Answer: All the worldly things like riches, joy, food, clothing etc. serve as a bait to trap a noble man.

3. The old man was just as generous with his confidences as with his porridge and tobacco. The guest was informed at once that in his days of prosperity his host had been a crofter at Ramsjo Ironworks and had worked on the land. Now that he was no longer able to do day labour, it was his cow which supported him. Yes, that bossy was extraordinary. She could give milk for the creamery every day, and last month he had received all of thirty kronor in payment.

Question. How did the crofter sustain himself financially?
Answer: The crofter had a cow. He sold the milk to a creamery. Thus, he supported himself financially.

Question. Find the word from the passage which means 'very unusual or remarkable.‘
Answer: Extraordinary

Question. Who was the old man? How did he welcome the guest?
Answer: The old man was a crofter. He lived alone in a wayside cottage. He welcomed the guest with porridge and tobacco.

Question. Who is the guest referred to in this passage.
Answer: The Rattrap seller is the guest referred to here.

4. "Please don't think that I have such a fine home that you cannot show yourself there." He said.... "Elizabeth is dead, as you may have already heard. My boys are abroad, and there is no one at home except my eldest daughter and myself. We were just saying that it was too bad we don't have any company for Christmas. Now come along with me and help us make the Christmas food disappear a little faster." But the stranger said no, and no, and the ironmaster saw the he must give in.

Question. What invitation did the narrator offer to the stranger? Who was the stranger?
Answer: The narrator invited the stranger to stay with him over the Christmas Eve and have food. The stranger was a peddler. He sold rattraps.

Question. Find out a word/phrase from the passage which means "to surrender" or accept defeat".
Answer: Give in.

Question. Who is the narrator in this passage? To whom is he speaking?
Answer: The narrator is the ironmaster. He is speaking to the peddler.

Question. What did the speaker say about his wife and children?
Answer: He said that his wife had already died and his children lived in a foreign country.

5. The wagon had hardly stopped at the front steps when the ironmaster asked the valet whether the stranger was still there. He added that he had heard at church that the man was a thief. The valet answered that the fellow had gone and that he had not taken anything with him at all. On the contrary, he had left behind a little package which Miss Willmansson was to be kind enough to accept as a Christmas present.

Question. What was the answer of the valet?
Answer: The valet answered that the fellow had gone and that he had not taken anything with him at all.

Question. What did the peddler leave behind and why?
Answer: The peddler left behind a little package because in this way he wanted to thank Miss Willmansson and gift her the Christmas present.

Question. What did the ironmaster ask the valet?
Answer: The ironmaster asked the valet whether the stranger was still there.

Question. What was the news at church?
Answer: At church, there was the news of theft at crofter‘s house and the thief was that peddler who stayed in ironmaster‘s house.

Short Answer Type Questions:

Question. What brought about a change in the life of the peddler?
Answer: Edla‘s warmth, sympathy and compassion brought about a change in the life of the peddler. He is touched by the kind treatment Edla gives him despite knowing his real identity. The latent goodness of his heart is awakened and he actually behaves like a true Captain.

Question. 'The next day both men got up in good season‘. Why? Who are the men and what did they do after getting up?
Answer: The two men are the old crofter and the rattrap peddler. The crofter got up early in the morning to milk his cow. His guest also wanted to get up because the host was up. Both left the cottage at the same time. The crofter locked the door and put the key in his pocket. Thereafter they both bade each other goodbye and went their own way.

Question. Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain Von Stahle?
Answer: The iron master had invited the peddler to his house mistaking him for Captain Von Stahle. He was welcomed there and looked after as a Captain, even after the reality became known. The peddler got a chance to redeem himself from dishonest ways by acting as an honourable Captain.
He did so by gifting Edla a small rattrap with three wrinkled ten kronor notes and a letter saying that he did not want her to be embarrassed this Christmas season by a thief and he wanted to be nice to her as if he were a real Captain.

Question. Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?
Answer: The peddler betrayed the trust that the crofter had on him by breaking the window pane and removing the thirty kronor from the leather pouch, he had seen the crofter keeping the money in the pouch and hanging it on a nail near the window frame.

Question. Why did the peddler keep to the woods after leaving the crofter‘s cottage? How did he feel?
Answer: The peddler discards the public highway and keeps to the woods after leaving the crofter‘s cottage because he wants to avoid being caught with the thirty kronor that he had stolen from the crofter‘s house. He walks through mazes of forest paths but lands nowhere. When he realizes he has been trapped he feels extremely tired and sinks to the ground in despair.

Question. Why did the blacksmith fail to notice the entry of the peddler in the forge?
Answer: The forge was a noisy place. The big bellows groaned and the burning coal made cracking sounds. The fire boy was shovelling charcoal into the furnace noisily. A waterfall roared outside.
Sharp north wind made the rain strike the brick-tiled roof. Hence the blacksmith did not notice the peddler entering the forge.

Question. Did the rattrap maker expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter?
Answer: The peddler was surprised at the kind of hospitality that he received at the crofter‘s home. He was invited inside with a smile and he was made to feel quite welcome instead of the usual hostile and sour faces that he met. He was served hot porridge for supper and the crofter shared his pipe tobacco with him. They also played a game of cards. Thus, the tramp was treated well by the crofter which was unexpected.

Question. The old man was just as generous with his confidences as with his porridge and tobacco.‘ What personal information did he impart to his guest?
Answer: The crofter was generous not just with his porridge and tobacco but also with his confidences with the peddler. He informed the peddler that he had been a crofter but now his cow supported him. She would give milk for the creamery every day, and last month he had even received thirty kronor as payment.

Question. Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?
Answer: Edla was happy to see the gift left by the peddler as he had respected her faith in him. Edla had retained him in her house even after knowing his real identity and he, in turn, had shown her that the guest she had honoured was as honourable as the captain. The latent goodness of his heart had been awakened and he had been able to overcome the bait of the rattrap.

Question. Why didn‘t the stranger tell the ironmaster that he was not Nils Olof?
Answer: When the ironmaster mistakes the stranger for Captain Nils Olof, an old regimental comrade, the stranger decides not to correct him as hopes to get a couple of kronor from the ironmaster. So, he does not want to undeceive him all at once.

Question. From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?
Answer: The tramp went around selling small rattraps made of scrap wire. One day he was struck by the idea that the whole world was nothing but a big rattrap. It existed only to set baits for people. It offered riches and joys, shelter and food, heat and clothing in the same manner as the rattrap offered cheese. As soon as someone let himself be tempted to touch the bait, it closed in on him and then everything came to an end.

Question. How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human predicament?
Answer: The entire story revolves around the metaphor of the rattrap. It highlights the predicament of the peddler. The money of the crofter serves to be a bait for the peddler to get caught in the rat trap.
The ironmaster mistakes him for an old acquaintance and the peddler does not reveal his true identity in the hope that he would get some money. It is the kindness of the daughter that frees him from the trap.

Question. Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?
Answer: The crofter was lonely. He lived alone in his cottage without a wife, a child or any companion.
Since he suffered from acute loneliness, he was extremely happy when he got the peddler‘s company. That is why he was so talkative and friendly with the peddler.

Question. Did the stranger agree to go to the ironmaster‘s house? Why or why not?
Answer: Initially the stranger declined the ironmaster‘s invitation. He had the stolen thirty kronor on him and thought it was like going into the lion‘s den. But then he accepted the ironmaster‘s invitation because Edla‘s sympathy and compassion allayed his fears and her friendly manner made him to have confidence in her.

Question. What doubts did Edla have about the peddler?
Answer: Just as Edla lifted the peddler‘s hat, he jumped up abruptly and seemed to be quite frightened.
Her kind looks, her compassionate and friendly nature was unable to calm him. She thought that it looked as if he had stolen something or had escaped from jail.

Question. Why did Edla plead with her father not to send the vagabond away?
Answer: Edla pleaded with her father not to send the vagabond away as it was Christmas eve and she wanted to keep the spirit of Christmas alive. She wanted to provide the vagabond with a day of comfort and solace. She justified that they had invited him against his will and since he was lonely, she wanted to do something special for him on Christmas eve.

Question. Why did the iron master speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?
Answer: The iron master walked closely up to the peddler and looked him over very carefully. Due to the uncertain reflection from the furnace, he mistook the man as his old regimental comrade Captain Von Stahle. He addressed the stranger as Nils Olof and invited him home to spend the Christmas with him and his daughter.

Question. Why did the peddler derive pleasure from his idea of the world as a rattrap?
Answer: The world had never been kind to the peddler so it gave him unwanted joy to think ill of it by considering it as a rattrap. It became his cherished pastime to think of people he knew who had let themselves be caught in the dangerous snare and of others who were still circling around the bait in the rattrap.

Question. What conclusion did the ironmaster reach when he heard that the crofter had been robbed by the peddler?
Answer: When the ironmaster heard that the crofter had been robbed by a man who went around selling rat-traps, he sarcastically remarked to his daughter that she had let a fine man into the house and was wondering as to how many silver spoons were left in their cupboard by that time.

Question. What two plans did the iron master reveal to his daughter at the breakfast on Christmas Eve? How did the daughter react?
Answer: The iron master firstly decided that the old regimental comrade (the peddler) had to gain some flesh on his bones. Then he must choose a different profession and not run around the country selling rattraps. The daughter reacted by saying that the previous night there was no indication to show that he had once been an educated man.

Question. How did the peddler defend himself against not having revealed his true identity?
Answer: The peddler explained that he had no pretensions regarding his true identity. He was not at fault.
All along he had maintained that he was a poor trader. He had requested to be allowed to stay alone. He was willing to put on his rags again and go away.

Long Answer Type Questions:

Question. The story 'The Rattrap‘ focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond with others. Explain.
Answer: The main focus of the story 'The Rattrap‘ is on human loneliness. All the characters, whether it is the peddler, the crofter, the ironmaster or his daughter, suffer from loneliness. The peddler is a lonely man who has always been shunned by society‘s cold and unkind words. When he knocks at the door of the old crofter‘s cottage, he does not expect hospitality but the crofter welcomes him as he is too happy to get someone to talk to after being alone for so long. By serving the peddler the crofter is in fact serving himself. He serves the peddler with supper, gives him tobacco and plays 'mjolis‘ with him. He is a very good host. The ironmaster and his daughter too miss company and this makes them all the lonelier on the occasion of Christmas. So, the ironmaster, who mistakes the peddler for his old regimental comrade, invites him to his manor house for Christmas. The ironmaster‘s daughter, Edla, extends this invitation again and tells the peddler he can leave any time after Christmas. Thus, the need to bond is the main focus of the story 'The Rattrap‘.

Question. 'The Rattrap‘ highlights the impact of compassion and understanding on the hidden goodness in human beings. Substantiate with evidence from the story.
Answer: The theme of the story 'The Rattrap‘ is that most human beings are prone to fall into the trap of material gains. However, love and understanding can transform a person and bring out his essential human goodness. The peddler had been treated very cruelly by the world. So even though the old crofter was kind and hospitable to him, he betrayed his trust and stole thirty kronors from him. He was not impressed by the ironmaster‘s invitation also. But Edla Willmansson‘s compassion and understanding brought about a transformation in his nature. Her human qualities helped in raising him to be a gentleman. He was easily able to overcome petty temptations. The peddler who always considered the whole world to be a rattrap finally felt released from this rattrap due to the sympathetic, kind, loving and generous treatment of Edla Willmansson that was able to bring out his basic human goodness.

Question. 'The Rattrap' is a story in which a good deed or an act of kindness changes a person‘s view of the world. Discuss with reference to the theme of the story.
Answer: 'The Rattrap‘ is an entertaining and philosophical story that reveals the theme of the human tendency to redeem oneself from dishonest ways. The tramp proves the idea that the essential goodness of human beings can be awakened through understanding and love. Circumstances had forced the peddler to indulge in petty crime. Even though he used to sell rattraps made from scrap metal, his poverty had brought out the worst in him, making him bitter and killing his conscience. The tramp‘s view of the world was a cynical one; he envied those who were better off than him. He believed the world to be like a rattrap that offered temptations like shelter and food for entrapping victims. The peddler does not hesitate to steal the money from the crofter even though he enjoys his hospitality and warm welcome. Pangs of guilt trouble him when he loses his way in the forest. His bitter and hardened temperament receives a chance for repentance when he encounters the iron master and his daughter. The author brings about an effective twist in the story to show that innate goodness exists in all human beings. It takes a little love, understanding and an act of friendship to bring it to the fore. The iron master‘s daughter showed him sympathy, love and respect and restored his dignity and self-esteem. This touched a chord in the heart of the peddler who at once felt that he was no longer the nameless tramp that he had been all his life but somebody with an identity. Motivated by Edla‘s kindness, he redeemed himself by returning the stolen money and feeling sorry for his deed.

Question. Give examples from the story, ―The Rattrap‖ to show how the iron master is different from his daughter.
Answer: The character of Edla Willmansson and that of the iron master are in stark contrast to each other.
Despite being young, the daughter displays a better sense of maturity than her father who acts impulsively and behaves casually. He jumps to conclusions without thinking. First, he mistakes the peddler to be an old regimental comrade and without confirming his identity he instantly invites him to the manor house and again on realising his mistake he refers the matter to the sheriff thoughtlessly. Edla, on the other hand, displays a keen sense of observation. She rightly judges that her guest is a tramp and has a sympathetic attitude towards him. She persuades her father to allow the guest to stay, leads him courteously to the dining table and makes him eat despite her father‘s protest. It is because of her compassion and generosity that the peddler undergoes a change of heart and redeems himself from dishonesty. He leaves behind thirty kronor to be given back to the old crofter and a Christmas present for Edla.

               Very Short Answer

Q.1)        Who was the owner of the ironworks and what sort of person was he?

Q.2)        Why did the blacksmith at Ramsjo Ironworks not pay any attention to the peddler?

Q.3)        How did the ironmaster react to seeing the stranger lying close to the furnace?

Q.4)        What was the ironmaster’s reaction to the poor condition of the peddler? What light does it throw on the character of the ironmaster?

Q.5)        Why didn’t the stranger tell the ironmaster that he was not Nils Olof?

               Short Answer

Q.6)        How does the peddler respond to the hospitality shown to him by the crofter?

Q.7)        Describe the Theme/Central Idea of the lesson.

Q.8)        Answer the following questions:-

(1)          Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?

(2)          Why did the peddler enter the woods and get himself trapped?

Q.9)        Edla proved to be much more persuasive than her father while dealing with the peddler. Comment.

Q.10)      What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rat trap?

               Long Answer

Q.11)      The peddler comes out as a person with a subtle sense of humour. How did this serve in lightening the seriousness of the theme of the story and also endear him to us?

Q.12)      The world is nothing but a trap of worldly baits. Discuss the essential values required by a person to overcome the temptations of life.

Q.13)      What was Edla’s attitude towards the peddler?

Q.14)      The peddler thinks that the whole world is a rat trap. This view of life is true only of himself and of no one else in the story. Comment

Q.15)      Have you know/heard of an episode where a good deed or an act of kindness has changed a person’s view of the world?

Please click on below link to download CBSE Class 12 English The Rattrap Worksheet Set E