NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 4 - The Rattrap

Answer:

This phrase means to survive with just the basic needs. The peddler's business of selling rattraps was not making enough money for him to live comfortably. He could barely afford food and basic things he needed to stay alive. Sometimes he had to beg or steal small things to feed himself.

Answer:

This means you could see how hungry the person was just by looking at their eyes. His eyes showed a strong desire for food. When someone is very hungry for a long time, it shows in their eyes - they look desperate and eager for food.

Answer:

This means to walk slowly and with difficulty, like when you're very tired. The peddler walked along the roads in a heavy, tired way because he was weak and exhausted from traveling and not having enough food or rest.

Answer:

This means unusual happiness or joy that someone doesn't normally feel. The peddler felt a kind of happiness that was rare for him because his life was usually sad and difficult. He wasn't used to feeling happy or pleased about anything.

Answer:

This means a prison or trap that you cannot escape from no matter what you do. In the story, it refers to something like a thick forest where a person can get lost and cannot find their way out easily.

Answer:

This means agreeing to something by nodding your head, but in a proud and superior way. The person gives permission but acts like they are better than the other person, showing attitude while saying yes.

Answer:

This means making movement or a journey less difficult. For the peddler, moving closer to the warm fire made his journey and situation easier and more comfortable. It helped reduce his discomfort from the cold.

Answer:

This means starting to think deeply about a particular idea or topic. The peddler began focusing his mind on one specific thought and kept thinking about it seriously.

Answer:

This means that the situation has become worse over time. The peddler's life had gotten more difficult and worse than it was before. His circumstances kept getting more and more difficult.

Answer:

The peddler got this idea from his own job. Since he made and sold small wire rattraps for a living, he started thinking about how his traps worked. One day, while thinking about his work, he suddenly realized that the whole world was like one big rattrap. Just like his small traps caught rats, the world trapped people with different temptations.

Answer:

The peddler found this idea funny and entertaining because his own life was very sad and boring. People had never been kind to him, and he lived like a homeless person. So when he thought of the world as a big trap, it made him feel better. He enjoyed thinking that even rich and successful people were just like rats who hadn't been caught in the trap yet. It gave him some satisfaction to think this way.

Answer:

No, the peddler did not expect such kind treatment from the crofter. Usually when he knocked on doors asking for shelter, people would be unfriendly and refuse to help him. They would give him angry looks and turn him away. So when the crofter welcomed him warmly, gave him food, and was friendly, it came as a big surprise to the peddler.

Answer:

The crofter was very talkative and friendly because he lived all alone. He was an old man with no wife or children to talk to. He felt lonely living by himself in his small house. When the peddler came to his door, the crofter was excited to have someone to talk to. He was happy to have company and wanted to share stories and spend time with another person.

Answer:

The crofter showed the money to the peddler because he was proud of earning it and wanted to prove he was telling the truth. He had told the peddler that he earned thirty kronor by selling milk from his cow. But he thought the peddler might not believe that an old man like him could earn that much money. So he showed the three ten-kronor bills to prove his story was true.

Answer:

No, the peddler did not respect the trust that the crofter had shown him. Even though the crofter had been very kind and welcoming, the peddler betrayed him. He went back the next day and stole the thirty kronor by breaking the window of the crofter's house. This showed that he did not care about the kindness he had received.

Answer:

After stealing the crofter's money, the peddler tried to avoid the main roads so nobody would catch him. He went into a forest instead. But the forest was very confusing with twisted paths. Even though he tried to walk in one direction, he kept going in circles and ending up in the same places. He couldn't find his way out. This made him remember his own idea about the world being a rattrap. He realized that the thirty kronor was like bait, and now he was trapped in the forest just like a rat in a trap.

Answer:

The ironmaster was kind to the peddler because he thought the peddler was someone else. In the dim light of the iron works, he couldn't see clearly and mistook the peddler for an old friend from the army named Captain von Stahle. He thought his old friend had become poor and homeless. Feeling sorry for what he believed was his friend's bad situation, he kindly invited him to his home for Christmas.

Answer:

The peddler said no to the invitation because he was scared of getting caught. He had just stolen thirty kronor from the crofter and was afraid that if he went to the ironmaster's house, people would find out who he really was. In better light and more formal surroundings, they would realize he wasn't the captain they thought he was. He was worried they might discover he was a thief and hand him over to the police.

Answer:

The peddler accepted Edla's invitation because she spoke to him with real kindness and understanding. Unlike her father who was demanding, Edla was gentle and caring. She promised him that he would be free to leave whenever he wanted and that no one would force him to stay. Her sincere and respectful way of talking made him feel safe and comfortable enough to accept her invitation.

Answer:

Edla had suspicions about the peddler's true identity. She thought he might be a thief or someone who had escaped from prison. His nervous behavior and unwillingness to come with them made her question his background. She was smart enough to doubt her father's belief that this man was his old army friend.

Answer:

The ironmaster realized his mistake the next morning after the peddler had been cleaned up. Once the servant had given the peddler a bath, cut his hair, shaved him, and dressed him in nice clothes, the ironmaster could see him clearly in daylight. It became obvious that this man was not his old army friend Captain von Stahle, but a complete stranger.

Answer:

When his real identity was discovered, the peddler defended himself by saying it wasn't his fault. He explained that he had never claimed to be anyone other than a poor person who sold things. He reminded them that he had only asked to stay by the fire for the night and had actually refused the ironmaster's invitations many times. He offered to put his old clothes back on and leave immediately, making it clear that he had never tried to trick them.

Answer:

Edla continued to be kind to the peddler even after learning the truth because she felt sorry for his difficult life. She understood that he was a homeless person who probably had no place where people welcomed him. She felt he lived in constant fear of being arrested. Even though he wasn't her father's friend, she wanted him to have at least one peaceful day during Christmas. She also believed it would be wrong to send someone away after inviting them into their home.

Answer:

Edla was happy to see the gift because it showed that the peddler had changed into a good person. Even though she learned he was a thief who had stolen money from a crofter, she discovered that he hadn't stolen anything from their home. Instead, he left a small package with a rattrap containing the stolen thirty kronor and a note asking her to return the money to the crofter. This proved that her kindness had inspired him to become honest and do the right thing.

Answer:

The peddler signed himself as Captain von Stahle to show his gratitude for how he had been treated. Even though he wasn't really the captain, Edla and her father had treated him with the respect and dignity that a captain would deserve. This experience had helped him become a better person instead of continuing to be a thief. By signing as Captain von Stahle, he was acknowledging that their kind treatment had made him feel worthy of that respected identity.

Answer:

The peddler reacted differently to each person's kindness. When the crofter was kind to him, the peddler saw it as a chance to take advantage. This led him to steal the thirty kronor despite the hospitality he received. With the ironmaster, he was suspicious and scared. He refused the invitation because he thought his true identity would be discovered and he might get into trouble.

However, with Edla, the peddler's response was completely different. Her genuine care and respect touched him deeply. At first, he wondered why she would be kind to him even after knowing he wasn't her father's friend. Eventually, he saw her kindness as true goodness and generosity, which inspired him to change his ways. Her treatment showed him that when someone is treated with dignity, it can bring out their better nature. This led him to return the stolen money and leave a gift to show his appreciation.

Answer:

The story shows many differences between the ironmaster and his daughter Edla:

When the ironmaster found out that the peddler wasn't his old army friend, he immediately became angry and hostile. He threatened to call the police. But Edla remained kind and argued that the peddler should be allowed to stay for Christmas regardless of who he was.

The ironmaster only invited the peddler because he thought he was someone important (a captain). This shows he cared about social status. Edla, however, wanted to help him because she saw a poor, hungry person who needed kindness, regardless of his social position.

When they learned the peddler was a thief, the ironmaster worried about his valuable things being stolen. Edla worried about the peddler's welfare and what Christmas kindness really meant.

The ironmaster was quick to judge and dismiss people when he learned the truth. Edla was understanding and kept her compassion even after knowing the peddler's flaws. These differences show that while the ironmaster was practical and judgmental, Edla was compassionate and believed in the worth of all people.

Answer:

The story has several surprising reactions:

The crofter's warm welcome to the peddler was unexpected. Usually, homeless people received unfriendly treatment. Instead of turning him away, the old man cheerfully welcomed him, shared food, and even played cards with him.

The ironmaster's mistake and insistence on inviting the peddler was surprising. Instead of just giving money to a poor man, he treated him as a long-lost friend.

Edla's compassion toward the peddler, despite suspecting his true nature, was unexpected. Even after realizing he wasn't her father's friend, she convinced her father to let him stay for Christmas.

The most surprising reaction came from the peddler at the end. Instead of stealing from the ironmaster's home as expected, he left the stolen money and a gift, transforming from a thief into an honest man.

Edla's reaction to discovering their guest was a thief was also unexpected. Rather than feeling satisfied that her suspicions were right, she became sad, showing her genuine concern for him. These surprising reactions make the story interesting and highlight that people can act differently than expected when treated with dignity.

Answer:

The peddler changed his ways because of Edla Willmansson's exceptional kindness and respect. Unlike others who treated him with suspicion or contempt, Edla showed him genuine compassion even after learning he wasn't her father's old friend. She insisted he stay for Christmas despite knowing he was just a poor homeless person.

Her treatment of him with dignity - as if he deserved respect regardless of his social status - awakened his sleeping conscience. The difference between how people usually treated him and how Edla treated him made him want to live up to her expectations. Being treated like a respectable person inspired him to act honorably. This shows the story's main message: that treating people with dignity can bring out their goodness and change their lives.

Answer:

The rattrap metaphor effectively shows the human condition in several ways:

First, it suggests that the world offers "baits" to people in the form of temptations like money, happiness, shelter, food, warmth, and comfort - just like a rattrap uses cheese or meat as bait. These material and emotional temptations lure people into situations they can't easily escape from.

Second, the metaphor shows how easily people can be trapped by their desires and weaknesses. The peddler himself falls for the temptation of stealing the crofter's money, only to find himself lost in the forest - both physically and symbolically trapped by his own actions.

Third, the metaphor suggests that no one is safe from these traps. The peddler thinks about how people he knows have been caught in various "rattraps" of life, showing this is a universal human experience.

Finally, the metaphor helps us understand human psychology - how we justify our actions, how we respond to temptation, and how difficult it can be to break free from harmful patterns. The story ultimately suggests that while the world may be full of traps, human kindness and dignity - as shown by Edla - can help free those who have been caught.

Answer:

The peddler's subtle sense of humor serves multiple purposes in the story:

His comparison of the world to a rattrap shows a philosophical wit that helps him cope with his difficult life. Rather than just being bitter, he finds amusement in thinking of wealthy and privileged people as simply not yet caught in the world's trap. This clever perspective makes his character more interesting and relatable.

When he realizes he is lost in the forest after stealing the money, he sees the irony that he himself has been caught in the very trap he thought about. This self-aware humor shows his ability to reflect and understand life's ironies.

His letter to Edla at the end, signing as "Captain von Stahle," shows a playful acknowledgment of the mistaken identity while also showing his transformation. This touch of humor lightens what could otherwise be a heavy moral lesson.

These humorous elements make the story's serious themes of temptation, redemption, and human dignity more engaging and accessible. They also make the peddler a more likeable character despite his flaws - we see him as a thinking, feeling human being capable of both moral failure and growth, rather than just a thief or homeless person.

Answer:

Readers feel sympathy for the peddler from the beginning for several reasons:

First, the author describes his physical condition in a way that makes us feel sorry for him - torn clothes, thin cheeks, and hungry eyes. His poverty is immediately obvious.

Second, his thoughtful ideas about the world as a rattrap show he's an intelligent character who has developed a worldview to make sense of his difficult circumstances. This depth makes him more than just a typical homeless person.

Third, the story describes his life as "sad and monotonous" and tells us "the world had never been very kind to him." This directly asks us to feel compassion for his situation.

This sympathy is mostly justified because the peddler's actions, while morally wrong, are presented as survival strategies rather than evil intentions. He steals to survive, not to deliberately hurt others. His eventual transformation shows that his moral sense wasn't completely destroyed - just suppressed by his difficult circumstances. The story suggests that people become what society expects of them; when treated with dignity by Edla, the peddler rises to that expectation. While we shouldn't approve of theft, understanding the complex factors that lead people to desperate acts allows us to maintain sympathy while still recognizing wrongdoing.

Answer:

The story powerfully explores human loneliness and our basic need for connection:

The peddler lives a lonely life as a homeless person, wandering alone and separated from society. His idea of the world as a rattrap suggests he feels disconnected from human community - he sees the world as hostile rather than welcoming.

The crofter lives completely alone in his house "without wife or child," which explains his eagerness for company. His immediate hospitality toward a complete stranger shows his deep longing for human interaction. He doesn't just feed the peddler but talks with him and plays cards, showing his desire for meaningful connection.

The ironmaster and Edla also experience loneliness. They mention feeling "bored" because they "don't have any company for Christmas." The death of the ironmaster's wife and the absence of his sons abroad have left emptiness in their lives, explaining their eagerness to welcome a guest.

The transformative power of human connection is central to the theme. The crofter's kindness, while not enough to change the peddler, plants a seed. Edla's persistent compassion ultimately breaks through the peddler's isolation and inspires his moral transformation. The story suggests that genuine human connection is necessary not just for emotional comfort but for moral development. When people are isolated and treated as outsiders, they may act accordingly; when welcomed and respected, they can find their better selves.

Answer:

This is a personal reflection question for students to think about real-life examples of how kindness can transform people. Students should share stories from their own experience or that they've heard about how a single act of kindness changed someone's perspective on life and people around them.

Answer:

"The Rattrap" successfully balances entertainment with deep philosophical meaning:

As entertainment, the story offers an engaging narrative with suspense, surprise, and character development. Readers wonder if the peddler will steal from the ironmaster's home, if his identity will be discovered, and how characters will react to revelations. The Christmas setting and the twist ending provide satisfaction.

Philosophically, the story explores profound ideas about human nature and society. The central metaphor of the world as a rattrap serves as a framework for understanding human temptation and entrapment. It suggests that we are all vulnerable to being caught by our desires and circumstances.

The story examines moral philosophy through questions about responsibility, redemption, and the nature of goodness. It asks whether a person's character is fixed or shaped by how others treat them. There's social philosophy in its criticism of a society that creates outcasts and then condemns them for behaving like outcasts.

The transformation of the peddler offers a hopeful message: that humans can grow morally and change when they experience genuine kindness and recognition of their humanity. This blend of entertaining storytelling and thoughtful philosophy makes "The Rattrap" enduring and impactful.

Answer:

Throughout the story, the main character is called different names, each showing how people see him:

Peddler/Rattrap peddler: This neutral term defines him by his job, focusing on what he does for work rather than his character.

Vagabond: This emphasizes his homeless, wandering lifestyle without permanent ties to any community.

Stranger: Used when he meets the crofter, highlighting that he's an unknown, unfamiliar person.

Tramp: Similar to vagabond, this emphasizes his homelessness and suggests someone who travels on foot.

Tall ragamuffin: Used by the ironmaster, this focuses on his ragged appearance and suggests poverty.

Old regimental comrade: The ironmaster's mistaken identification gives him unearned status and history.

Good fellow: Used by the ironmaster during their conversation, suggesting a warming of attitude.

Poor hungry wretch: Edla's perception, emphasizing his suffering and need for compassion.

These different terms trace the character's journey through the story - from anonymous homeless person to mistaken acquaintance to recipient of compassion. The final reference as "Captain von Stahle" in his letter represents his own chosen identity after transformation.

Answer:

Five other words that indicate tired, difficult movement:

1. Shuffle: To walk without lifting your feet properly, showing tiredness or weakness.

2. Limp: To walk with difficulty because of injury or exhaustion.

3. Drag: To move slowly and with effort, as if pulling something heavy.

4. Lumber: To move heavily and clumsily, often because of being tired or carrying weight.

5. Crawl: To move very slowly on hands and knees, or just very slowly in general when extremely tired.

Answer:

Examples of reflexive pronouns from the story and their usage:

1. "But he laughed to himself": Here, "himself" shows that the action comes back to the same person. The peddler is both the one laughing and the one hearing the laugh.

2. "He had sent his daughter, apparently hoping that she would have better powers of persuasion than he himself": "Himself" is used for emphasis, making it clear we're talking about the ironmaster specifically, not someone else.

3. "It would never have occurred to me that you would bother with me yourself": "Yourself" emphasizes the personal attention being given by the person being addressed.

4. "He got power to clear himself": "Himself" shows that the subject is both doing the action and receiving the benefit of the action.

Reflexive pronouns in these examples serve two main purposes: to show that an action comes back to the subject (when someone does something to themselves) and to provide emphasis to distinguish the subject from others in the conversation.

Answer:

Phrases and words from the story that are specific to ironworks:

1. A hard regular thumping: Describes the rhythmic sound of hammers in the ironworks.

2. Hammer strokes from an iron mill: Refers to the distinctive sound during the metal-making process.

3. Smelter, rolling mill, and forge: Different parts and sections of an ironworks factory.

4. Master smith and his helper: Workers with specific jobs in the iron-making process.

5. Waiting for the pig iron: Pig iron is a specific form of crude iron used in production.

6. To be ready to put on the anvil: Refers to the process of shaping iron on a heavy work surface.

7. To stir the glowing mass: The process of mixing molten metal during refinement.

8. The big bellows groaned: Bellows are devices that produce strong airflow for increasing furnace temperatures.

9. The burning coal cracked: Describes the sound of fuel used in the iron-making process.

These terms create an authentic atmosphere of the industrial setting and show the author's attention to technical detail in describing the ironworks environment.

Answer:

The peddler enjoyed thinking of the world as a rattrap because it helped him feel better about his own difficult life. Since people had never been kind to him, he found satisfaction in thinking that even those who were more fortunate would eventually be tempted by something and get caught in the world's trap, just like he had been. This way of thinking gave him a sense of justice and helped him cope with his hard circumstances.

Answer:

Edla asked her father not to send the peddler away because she had always seen him as a poor, homeless person who needed help, not as her father's former colleague. When his true identity was revealed, she felt sorry for his miserable condition and believed he deserved to experience one day of peace and comfort, especially during Christmas. Her kind nature made her want to help someone who was usually turned away from everywhere.

Answer:

In his letter to Edla, the peddler thanked her for treating him like a captain even though he wasn't one. He explained that because of her kindness, he wanted to respond by acting honorably. He asked that the thirty kronor he had stolen from the crofter be returned to its rightful owner. He also mentioned that he had left the rattrap as a Christmas present for her, representing his view of the world while acknowledging that her compassion had inspired him to change. He signed the letter as "Captain von Stahle," showing his transformed identity.

Answer:

The package left by the peddler as a Christmas gift for Edla contained three things: a small rattrap (like the ones he sold), thirty kronor in wrinkled notes (the money he had stolen from the crofter), and a short letter explaining his actions and expressing thanks for her kindness. The rattrap represented his philosophical view of the world, while the returned money showed his moral change as a result of Edla's compassion and respectful treatment.

Answer:

When the ironmaster heard that the crofter had been robbed by the peddler, he immediately thought that the peddler would likely steal valuable things from his home as well. Specifically, he worried that the peddler might steal all the silver cutlery before running away. This conclusion showed his practical and somewhat judgmental nature, as well as his concern for his possessions rather than the peddler's potential for moral improvement.

Answer:

This question seems to be confused with another chapter. "The Rattrap" is not about the Champaran episode - that's from the "Indigo" chapter. "The Rattrap" is about a homeless peddler who sells rattraps and his encounter with a kind family during Christmas. The story focuses on themes of human kindness, transformation, and the metaphor of the world as a rattrap.

Answer:

The story "The Rattrap" beautifully explores human dignity and transformation through the peddler's journey. Initially, the peddler is a homeless person who steals to survive and views the world cynically as a giant trap. His theft from the kind crofter shows how desperation can lead to moral compromise.

However, when Edla treats him with genuine respect and dignity - not because of who she thinks he is, but simply as a human being deserving kindness - it awakens his dormant moral sense. Her refusal to judge him and her insistence that he deserves Christmas hospitality regardless of his status shows the power of unconditional human dignity.

The peddler's transformation is complete when he chooses to return the stolen money and leave a gift, signing himself as "Captain von Stahle." This shows that when people are treated with dignity, they often rise to meet those expectations. The story suggests that human transformation is possible through compassion, respect, and recognition of everyone's inherent worth, regardless of their social status or past mistakes.