Class 12 Extra questions
English Flamingo Chapter 4
The Rattrap by Selma Lagerlöf
Short Answer Questions
1. Q: Who is the protagonist of the story?
A:The protagonist is a peddler who sells rattraps.
2. Q: How does the peddler make the rattraps?
A: He makes them himself at odd moments using wire.
3. Q: What metaphor does the peddler use to describe the world?
A: He describes the world as a rattrap, where material riches are the bait.
4. Q: How does the peddler view the kindness of others initially?
A: He views it with suspicion, believing it to be a trap.
5. Q: Who shows the peddler the first act of kindness in the story?
A: A crofter shows him kindness by offering him food and shelter.
6. Q: What game does the crofter play with the peddler?
A: The crofter plays Mjolis, a card game.
7. Q: What does the peddler steal from the crofter?
A: He steals thirty kronor from the crofter's money pouch.
8. Q: How does the peddler react after stealing the money?
A: He feels trapped and fearful, thinking the police are after him.
9. Q: Where does the peddler end up after wandering in the forest?
A: He ends up at the ironworks.
10. Q: Who mistakes the peddler for an old acquaintance?
A: The ironmaster mistakes him for an old regimental comrade.
11. Q: Why does the peddler initially refuse the ironmaster's invitation?
A: He is afraid of being discovered and caught.
12. Q: Who convinces the peddler to go to the ironmaster's house?
A: The ironmaster’s daughter, Edla Willmansson, convinces him.
13. Q: What does Edla promise the peddler?
A: She promises him a safe and warm place to stay for Christmas.
14. Q: How does the ironmaster react when he realizes the peddler is not his old friend?
A: He becomes angry and accuses the peddler of deceit.
15. Q: What is Edla’s response to her father's anger?
A: She insists on letting the peddler stay for Christmas.
16. Q: What does the peddler leave behind for Edla when he leaves?
A: He leaves a small rattrap and the stolen money with a note.
17. Q: How does the peddler sign his note?
A: He signs it as "Captain von Stahle."
18. Q: What lesson does the peddler learn by the end of the story?
A: He learns about the power of kindness and redemption.
19. Q: How does Edla feel when she finds the peddler’s gift and note?
A: She feels happy and validated for trusting him.
20. Q: What does the peddler's transformation signify?
A: It signifies the potential for goodness in everyone, no matter their past.
Medium Answer Questions -
21. Q: How does the story illustrate the theme of loneliness?
A: The peddler’s solitary life and his initial mistrust of others highlight human loneliness. The interactions with the crofter, ironmaster, and Edla show the need for human connection.
22. Q: What role does Edla play in the peddler’s transformation?
A: Edla’s genuine kindness and empathy make the peddler feel valued, prompting his moral awakening and decision to change.
23. Q: Why does the ironmaster invite the peddler to his home?
A: He mistakenly believes the peddler is an old friend, Captain von Stahle, and feels nostalgic.
24. Q: Describe the peddler’s initial reaction to the ironmaster’s invitation.
A:He is suspicious and fearful, thinking it might be a trap to arrest him for stealing the crofter’s money.
25. Q: How does the peddler feel after spending Christmas with Edla and her father?
A: He feels grateful and transformed by their kindness, realizing the possibility of a better life.
26. Q:Why does the ironmaster’s attitude towards the peddler change so dramatically?
A: When he discovers the peddler is not his old comrade, he feels deceived and angry, seeing him as a fraud.
27. Q:How does Edla’s treatment of the peddler differ from her father’s?
A: Edla treats the peddler with consistent kindness and empathy, while her father’s kindness is conditional on his mistaken identity.
28. Q: What significance does the peddler’s gift hold for Edla?
A: The gift and note represent the peddler’s repentance and his appreciation for Edla’s unwavering kindness, validating her faith in him.
29. Q: How does the metaphor of the rattrap relate to the peddler’s experiences?
A: The peddler sees life’s temptations as traps, mirroring his own entrapment by greed and subsequent escape through kindness.
30. Q:What message does the story convey about human nature?
A: The story suggests that everyone has the potential for good and redemption, regardless of past mistakes, through compassion and understanding.
Long Answer Questions -
31.Q: Discuss the significance of the crofter’s kindness in the peddler’s journey.
A: The crofter’s kindness initially leads to the peddler’s betrayal and theft, setting off the chain of events that define the story. However, this act also plants the seed for the peddler’s later transformation, as he experiences the stark contrast between his actions and the kindness shown to him.
32. Q: Analyze the ironmaster’s character and his interactions with the peddler.
A: The ironmaster is a complex character who oscillates between kindness and harshness. His initial hospitality is based on a mistaken identity, and his subsequent anger reveals his conditional approach to generosity. His character highlights the difference between genuine compassion and superficial kindness.
33. Q: How does Edla’s unwavering kindness impact the story’s resolution?
A: Edla’s consistent compassion and empathy provide the peddler with a sense of worth and humanity. Her treatment of him as a respected guest, despite knowing his true identity, leads to his moral redemption. Her influence is pivotal in transforming the peddler’s outlook and actions.
34. Q: Explain the symbolic meaning of the rattrap in the story.
A: The rattrap symbolizes the traps of materialism and temptation that ensnare individuals, reflecting the moral struggles faced by the characters. The peddler’s initial belief in this metaphor and his eventual escape from its grasp underscore the story’s philosophical message about the human condition and the power of kindness.
35. Q: What role does the setting of the ironworks play in the narrative?
A: The ironworks serves as a significant setting where the peddler’s true identity is revealed, and his transformation begins. The harsh environment contrasts with Edla’s warmth and hospitality, highlighting the themes of compassion and redemption amidst rough and unwelcoming circumstances.
36. Q: Describe the evolution of the peddler’s character throughout the story.
A: The peddler evolves from a suspicious and greedy individual to a remorseful and transformed man. His journey is marked by initial mistrust, a moral crisis after stealing the crofter’s money, and eventual redemption through Edla’s kindness. His evolution highlights the story’s themes of redemption and the impact of genuine compassion.
37. Q: How does the story address the theme of trust?
A:Trust is a central theme, with characters displaying varying degrees of it. The crofter trusts the peddler with his money, leading to betrayal. Edla’s unwavering trust in the peddler, despite knowing his past, ultimately leads to his transformation. The story shows that genuine trust can foster profound change.
38. Q: Compare and contrast the reactions of the ironmaster and Edla upon discovering the peddler’s true identity.
A:The ironmaster reacts with anger and a sense of betrayal, viewing the peddler as a fraud. In contrast, Edla responds with empathy and compassion, insisting on treating him kindly despite his deception. This contrast highlights their differing approaches to kindness and judgment.
39.Q: Discuss the role of social status and judgment in the story.
A: Social status plays a significant role, with the peddler’s low status affecting how others perceive and treat him. The ironmaster’s initial hospitality is based on a mistaken belief in the peddler’s higher status. Edla’s disregard for social status in her treatment of the peddler underscores the story’s message about the value of genuine kindness over societal judgments.
40. Q: What is the significance of the peddler’s final act of leaving the rattrap and note?
A: The peddler’s final act of leaving the rattrap and note signifies his repentance and gratitude towards Edla. It symbolizes his recognition of the metaphorical rattrap he was caught in and his decision to change. This act serves as a resolution to his moral journey and a testament to the transformative power of kindness.
Extended Answer Questions -
41. Q: How does the story illustrate the power of redemption?
A: The story shows that redemption is possible through genuine acts of kindness and understanding. The peddler’s transformation from a thief to a repentant man is driven by the unconditional compassion shown by Edla. Her belief in his potential for goodness inspires him to change his ways, demonstrating that even those who seem lost can find a path to redemption. The story underscores that true kindness can inspire profound personal growth and moral awakening.
42. Q: Explore the theme of materialism in "The Rattrap."
A: Materialism is depicted as a trap that ensnares individuals, much like the rattrap metaphor used by the peddler. The crofter’s money tempts the peddler, leading to his sense of entrapment and fear of being caught. The story critiques the pursuit of material wealth, showing how it can lead to moral downfall. However, it also suggests that redemption is possible when individuals prioritize human values over material possessions, as seen in the peddler’s final act of returning the stolen money.
43. Q: Analyze the relationship between the peddler and Edla and its impact on the story.
A: The relationship between the peddler and Edla is central to the narrative, highlighting themes of empathy and transformation. Edla’s kindness and lack of judgment create a safe space for the peddler, allowing him to reflect on his actions. Her unwavering belief in his goodness contrasts with the suspicion he faces from others, fostering his moral awakening. This relationship drives the story’s resolution, demonstrating the profound impact of compassionate and non-judgmental human connections.
44. Q: How does the story address the concept of identity and mistaken identity?
A: Mistaken identity is a key plot device, as the ironmaster mistakes the peddler for an old comrade. This error sets the stage for the peddler’s transformation, as he experiences hospitality under false pretenses. The story explores how identity can be fluid and misunderstood, impacting how individuals are treated. The peddler’s eventual acceptance of a new identity, "Captain von Stahle," signifies his moral rebirth, suggesting that personal identity can evolve through experiences and relationships.
45. Q: Discuss the role of compassion in "The Rattrap."
A: Compassion is depicted as a transformative force in the story. The peddler’s encounters with the crofter, the ironmaster, and Edla each reflect varying degrees of compassion. Edla’s consistent empathy and kindness stand out, impacting the peddler profoundly. Her compassion not only offers him physical comfort but also emotional healing, prompting his eventual redemption. The story suggests that compassion has the power to change lives, offering a path to forgiveness and personal growth.
46. Q: How does the story’s setting influence its themes and characters?
A:The harsh, cold setting of the Swedish countryside and the ironworks accentuates the themes of isolation and survival. The bleak environment mirrors the peddler’s initial outlook on life as a trap. However, the warmth of Edla’s home contrasts with this, symbolizing hope and redemption. The setting serves to highlight the stark differences between the harshness of life and the potential for human kindness and connection to provide warmth and transformation.
47. Q: In what ways does "The Rattrap" reflect social and economic issues of its time?
A: The story reflects social and economic issues such as poverty, class disparity, and the struggle for survival. The peddler’s itinerant lifestyle and the crofter’s modest living conditions highlight economic hardships. The ironmaster’s wealth contrasts sharply with the peddler’s poverty, underscoring social inequalities. Through these depictions, the story critiques materialism and emphasizes the importance of empathy and moral values over economic status.
48. Q: How does the peddler’s view of the world change by the end of the story?
A: Initially, the peddler views the world as a rattrap, full of temptations and traps. His experiences with the crofter, ironmaster, and especially Edla challenge this cynical perspective. By the end of the story, he recognizes the potential for kindness and redemption in the world. His final act of leaving the rattrap and returning the money signifies his shift from viewing the world as a trap to seeing it as a place where goodness and transformation are possible.
49. Q: Examine the ironmaster’s character development throughout the story.
A: The ironmaster begins as a nostalgic figure, eager to help a perceived old friend. His reaction to the peddler’s true identity reveals his conditional kindness, based on status and familiarity. However, witnessing Edla’s unwavering compassion influences him to reconsider his approach. By the end, he respects Edla’s decision to help the peddler, showing a subtle development towards understanding genuine kindness.
50. Q: What does the story suggest about the potential for personal change?
A: The story suggests that personal change is possible through experiences of genuine kindness and compassion. The peddler’s transformation from a cynical thief to a grateful, repentant man highlights this potential. It shows that even those who seem morally lost can find redemption and change their ways when treated with empathy and respect. The narrative emphasizes that personal change is a gradual process influenced by positive human interactions.
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