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  1. Class 12
  2. Literature
  3. Flamingo
  4. The Rattrap

The Rattrap - Flamingo - Class 12 - CBSE English

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  • Line-by-line explanation in Hindi
  • Quiz
  • Vocabulary - Flashcards
  • Speak & Learn
  • Back Questions
  • Back Exercises
  • Extra Questions
  • Summary
  • About the Author
  • Themes
  • Plot
  • Important Lines
  • Character Sketches
  • Vocabulary

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The Rattrap - Line by line explanation in Hindi | Flamingo | Class 12 Literature | CBSE English

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Quiz - The Rattrap | Flamingo | Class 12 Literature | CBSE English

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Vocabulary - Flashcards - The Rattrap | Flamingo | Class 12 Literature | CBSE English

Vagabond
A person who wanders from place to place without a permanent home or employment.

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Back Questions - The Rattrap | Flamingo | Class 12 Literature | CBSE English

How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter, the ironmaster and his daughter?

The peddler interprets the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter, the ironmaster, and his daughter differently in each situation.

  1. The Crofter: The peddler is initially suspicious of the crofter’s kindness. He ponders over the fact that the crofter may merely be lonely, thus causing him to be so generous with a stranger. However, his greed and cunning nature get the better of him, leading him to steal the crofter’s money. After this incident, the peddler starts believing the world is a rattrap, and everyone could be caught in it. He sees this act of kindness from the crofter as something with the potential to trap him, like bait offered by the world.

  2. The Ironmaster: When the ironmaster, mistaking the peddler for an old friend, invites him to his manor, the peddler is once again suspicious. He believes that the world is trying to bait him again, using the ironmaster’s invitation. He does not see the ironmaster’s invitation as genuine kindness since he feels it’s based on the ironmaster’s misconception of his identity, and he expects the ironmaster to turn him in once he finds out the truth.

  3. The Ironmaster’s Daughter, Edla Willmansson: The peddler’s interaction with Edla is the turning point for him. She treats him with genuine warmth and kindness, regardless of his appearance or social status. He views her non-judgmental behavior and sympathy differently compared to other instances of kindness he had received. She gives him a sense of dignity, and her act of kindness becomes transformative for him. Instead of focusing on the adversities and traps in life, the peddler now understands the power of redemption and unconditional kindness. It is her charity that enables the peddler to change his ways and return the stolen money to the crofter.

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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?

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The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to others’ behaviour. Pick out instances of these surprises.

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What made the peddler finally change his ways?

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

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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 also endear him to us?

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The reader’s sympathy is with the peddler right from the beginning of the story. Why is this so? Is the sympathy justified?

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Back Exercises - The Rattrap | Flamingo | Class 12 Literature | CBSE English

The story also focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond with others.

Yes, "The Rattrap" also highlights the theme of human loneliness and the inherent need for connection and companionship. Throughout the story, the peddler is depicted as a lonely and isolated individual, wandering from place to place without any meaningful relationships. He yearns for human connection and is pleasantly surprised when the old man welcomes him into his cottage and engages in conversation with him. Similarly, Edla's act of kindness and her insistence on including the peddler in their Christmas celebration stems from a desire to alleviate his loneliness and provide him with a sense of belonging. The story suggests that genuine bonds and acts of compassion have the power to alleviate loneliness and bring warmth and joy to individuals who are otherwise isolated and estranged.

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?

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The story is both entertaining and philosophical. Explain.

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Extra Questions - The Rattrap | Flamingo | Class 12 Literature | CBSE English

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

The peddler got the idea of the world being a rattrap as he contemplated his own failures and thought of the way people treated him poorly. As he wandered the roads, he noticed that people often fell into various kinds of metaphorical traps that the world set for them. He made a connection between his own profession, where he sold actual rattraps, and the lives of people who get caught in the figurative traps of the world. He thought that the whole world, with its various temptations, pleasures, and material comforts, was nothing but a large rattrap. People were lured into it by these worldly enticements, and once they had entered, they found themselves trapped, unable to escape their predicaments.

He even mentions: “And the rattrap peddler had comprehended this in his own way: that the whole world, with its lands and seas, its cities and villages, was really nothing but a big rattrap.”

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Why was he amused by this idea?

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What made the peddler accept Edla Willmansson's invitation?

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"The nature of humanity, its essence is to feel another's pain as one's own and to add to take that pain away. There is nobility in compassion. A beauty in empathy, a grace in forgiveness."  Elaborate with reference to the Rattrap.

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Summary - The Rattrap | Flamingo | Class 12 Literature | CBSE English

"The Rattrap" by Selma Lagerlöf: A Story of Redemption and Kindness

"The Rattrap" by Selma Lagerlöf is a heart-warming tale that teaches us about the power of redemption, kindness, and the unexpected ways in which good deeds can be repaid. The story follows a [vagabond ] who comes across an ironworks owner and his daughter and the events that unfold during a Christmas Eve dinner.

One day, the man comes across an old man who offers him shelter for the night in his little cottage. The old man is generous and hospitable , sharing his food, and tobacco, and even playing cards with his guest. During their conversation, the old man reveals that he once worked on the land and now supports himself through the milk from his cow, which he sells to the creamery. The old man is so trusting of the stranger that he even shows the peddler his stash of thirty kronors, and then promptly goes to sleep.

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About the Author - The Rattrap | Flamingo | Class 12 Literature | CBSE English

Selma Lagerlöf (1858-1940) was a Swedish author and the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1909. She is known for her insightful and imaginative storytelling, drawing inspiration from Scandinavian folklore and mythology . Lagerlöf's works often address social justice , empathy , and redemption themes. Her most famous work is the children's book "The Wonderful Adventures of Nils," which tells the story of a young boy who is transformed into a tiny elf and goes on a magical journey across Sweden. Lagerlöf's other notable works include "Gösta Berling's Saga ," "Jerusalem," and "The Emperor of Portugallia." She remains a significant figure in Swedish literature, and her works continue to be celebrated around the World.

Themes - The Rattrap | Flamingo | Class 12 Literature | CBSE English

The story "The Rattrap" by Selma Lagerlöf explores several themes, including the power of kindness, the transformative power of identity, the universality of human struggle, and the potential for redemption .

🫂 The Power of Kindness

One of the main themes of the story is the power of kindness. Throughout the story, the ironmaster and his daughter show kindness and generosity to the rattrap seller, although he is initially deceitful and manipulative. Their kindness eventually transforms the seller, who leaves the ironmaster's family and repays their kindness by leaving them a gift of money and a heartfelt note. The story suggests that even small acts of kindness can transform people and that we should always strive to treat others with compassion and generosity.

🪪 The Transformative Power of Identity

Another theme of the story is the transformative power of identity. The rattrap seller initially presents himself as a poor, itinerant peddler but later adopts the persona of a captain, propelled by the ...

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Plot - The Rattrap | Flamingo | Class 12 Literature | CBSE English

1️⃣ Introduction

The story is set in Sweden and follows the journey of a homeless vagabond who wanders from place to place, selling rattraps to earn a living. 

2️⃣ Exposition

The story begins with the vagabond seeking shelter in an iron mill. The ironmaster, who is a kind-hearted man, offers him to stay at his place. The vagabond is initially wary of the ironmaster's intentions ........

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Important Lines - The Rattrap | Flamingo | Class 12 Literature | CBSE English

"As soon as they got up from the table, he went around to each one present and said thank you and good night, but when he came to the young girl, she gave him to understand that it was her father’s intention that the suit which he wore was to be a Christmas present — he did not have to return it..." 

This line is significant because it reveals the young girl's compassion and kindness towards the man, despite her father's suspicions about him. It also shows the man's guilt for taking advantage of their hospitality.

"At church, she had learned that one of the old crofters of the ironworks had been robbed by a man who went around selling rattraps." 

This line foreshadows ...

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Character Sketches - The Rattrap | Flamingo | Class 12 Literature | CBSE English

The Rattrap Peddler

The protagonist of the story, the Rattrap peddler is a homeless and lonely man who makes a living by selling rattraps made out of wire. He is initially portrayed as a cunning and selfish individual who does not hesitate to take advantage of others. However, as the narrative progresses, we see a transformation in his character. Through his interactions with the old man, the blacksmith, and Edla Willmansson, he learns the importance of kindness, compassion, and redemption . Towards the end of the story, he returns the stolen money to the blacksmith and leaves a rattrap as a gift for Edla, symbolizing his escape from the metaphorical rattrap of life. The Rattrap peddler's character sketch reveals the power of human empathy and the potential for change in even the most unlikely individuals.

Old Man

The old man is a minor character in the story, yet he plays a crucial role in the development of the Rattrap peddler's character. He is a crofter who lives alone in a small cottage in the ...

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What does the Rattrap peddler's character transformation symbolize?

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Vocabulary - The Rattrap | Flamingo | Class 12 Literature | CBSE English

  1. Vagabond - A person who wanders from place to place without a permanent home or employment.

    The Vagabond wandered through the streets, relying on the generosity of strangers for his survival.

  2. Unwonted - Not usual or customary; uncommon.

    The sudden burst of applause from the reserved audience was an Unwonted response to the performance.

  3. Snare - A trap, typically consisting of a noose or loop, used for catching animals or birds.

    The hunter carefully set up Snare s in the forest to capture rabbits for food.

  4. Creamery - A place where milk is processed and made into butter and cheese.

    The local farmers bring their milk to the Creamery to be turned into various dairy products.

  5. Incredulous - Unwilling or unable to believe something; skeptical.

    The audience looked ...................

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