THE RATTRAP
BY SELMA LAGERLOF
PREPARED BY
LAPITA DAS
THEME
 The story upholds the belief that
the essential goodness of a
human being can be awakened
through love and understanding.
 It brings into focus the idea that
the world is a rattrap. Riches,
joys, shelter and food are all
lucrative baits to trap mankind.
TITLE
 ‘The Rattrap’ is a metaphor to
highlight the human
predicament. Just as a rat is
fooled by a bait and gets
trapped, most human beings
are likely to fall into the trap of
material benefits.
SYNOPSIS
 The story begins like a fairytale. The
central character is a beggar and a
petty thief who goes about selling
rattraps of wire to make a small living.
 He finds it difficult to make both ends
meet. It makes him reflect about his
own condition and the world at large.
 He fancies that the whole world is
nothing but a big rattrap.
SYNOPSIS (CONT.)
 It offers rich and varied baits to people
who bite on them and get trapped in
the rattrap.
 The storyline unfolds gradually with
the various baits being offered to the
beggar.
 The old man that the tramp meets is
generous with his hospitality but the
bait of the three ten-kronor bills is
enough to tempt him.
SYNOPSIS
 Next at the Ramsjo ironworks, while
seeking shelter for the night, the
tramp bites the bait offered to him by
the owner, the ironmaster, of mistaken
identity.
 Edla, the ironmaster’s daughter, offers
yet another bait of full-hearted
generosity, comfortable living and a
magically peaceful Christmas for the
tramp.
CONCLUSION
 Finally, the bitter truth dawns on the
hosts. Edla is downcast when she
learns that the peddler is a thief.
 The tramp undergoes a change of
heart after experiencing her kindness.
 He returns the stolen money and
writes a letter to her thanking her for
helping him escape the rattrap.
 He attains nobility of spirit and
‘becomes’ Captain Von Stahle. The
story ends with the victory of human
goodness.
QUESTIONS
 Short Questions:
 Why is the peddler amused with the
idea that the world is a rattrap?
 Why did the peddler sign himself as
Captain Von Stahle?
 Long Questions:
 Compare and contrast the characters
of the ironmaster and his daughter.
What is the dramatic twist in the story
and how does it come about?