Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 4 – The Rattrap : The Rattrap is written by Selma Lagerlöf, a Swedish author known for her deep humanitarian insights. The story presents a powerful metaphor—the world as a rattrap—where material desires lure people into traps of greed and guilt. It highlights kindness, redemption, and the inner goodness that exists in every human being.
Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 4 – The Rattrap
The story revolves around a poor vagabond who wanders around selling rattraps. His life changes when he realizes that the world itself is like a rattrap—temptations of wealth and comfort can trap a person just like cheese traps a rat. The narrative develops through his interactions with different people, ultimately leading to his moral transformation.
Plot Overview
The protagonist is a homeless peddler who sells small rattraps made of wire. He lives in constant poverty and sometimes resorts to petty theft for survival. One day, he reflects on how the world is nothing but a giant rattrap, full of bait and temptations.
He meets an old crofter who offers him shelter and food. The crofter shows him thirty kronor (money) he had earned from selling milk. Tempted, the peddler steals the money the next morning and escapes into the forest. Soon he realizes that he has lost his way in the dense woods, symbolizing how greed leads one into a trap.
Later, he reaches the ironworks of Ramsjö and meets the ironmaster, who mistakes him for an old acquaintance. The peddler is invited home, where the ironmaster’s daughter, Edla Willmansson, treats him with genuine kindness and respect. Her compassion awakens the peddler’s conscience. In the morning, he leaves behind the stolen money and a letter addressed to Edla, thanking her for believing in him when the world called him a thief.
Character Sketch and Theme
| Character | Traits | Role in the Story |
|---|---|---|
| The Peddler | Lonely, poor, philosophical, remorseful, capable of change | Represents human fallibility and redemption through compassion. |
| The Crofter | Trusting, generous, lonely | Symbolizes the simplicity and innocence of rural life. |
| The Ironmaster | Practical, well-meaning, socially superior | Reflects the upper-class attitude of helping others conditionally. |
| Edla Willmansson | Kind, empathetic, pure-hearted, morally strong | Her compassion transforms the peddler and becomes the moral centre of the story. |
Moral and Message of the Story
“The Rattrap” conveys that kindness and understanding can bring out the best in people. Every individual deserves a chance to reform. The peddler’s redemption highlights the power of trust and compassion in overcoming guilt and sin.
Important Lines and Meanings
| Important Line | Meaning / Explanation |
|---|---|
| “The whole world is nothing but a big rattrap.” | The author compares worldly temptations to bait in a trap—greed leads to one’s downfall. |
| “She treated him as though he were a captain.” | Edla’s treatment of the peddler with respect shows her innate humanity, regardless of his background. |
| “The rattrap is a Christmas present from a rat who wanted to be a captain.” | This line in the peddler’s letter symbolizes his transformation and acceptance of moral awakening. |
Example or Analogy
The story is like a mirror: just as a reflection reveals our flaws, this narrative reveals how temptation and kindness reflect two sides of human nature. The crofter’s trust shows innocence, the ironmaster’s actions show societal expectation, and Edla’s empathy shows divine grace.
Important Facts / Key Takeaways
- Author: Selma Lagerlöf (first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature).
- Theme: Materialism vs. compassion, human redemption, universal goodness.
- Setting: Rural Sweden—symbolic of isolation and introspection.
- Genre: Short story with moral allegory.
- Main Message: Every sinner has a chance to become a saint through love and understanding.
Quick Quiz (2 Questions)
- What realization makes the peddler change his view of life?
- How does Edla’s treatment influence the peddler’s decision at the end?
Answer Key
- The peddler realizes that the world is like a rattrap and he has been caught in it by greed. He understands that kindness and honesty are greater than wealth.
- Edla’s warmth and trust make him feel valued as a human being, leading him to return the stolen money and transform his life.