The Rattrap | Class 12 | Summary | Flemingo

Importance of Title

The Rattrap is an appropriate title as it is story of rattrap peddler. The word Rattrap throws light on the human dilemma with respect to the functioning of the society and world. Just like as rat is fooled by the bait that and it gets trapped similarly even human being also tends to fall into the trap of material benefits provided by the world. The story revolves around the incident of a man getting trapped due tonhis greed. Hence, the title is an apt one . Also, it is worth noticing and remarkable how the story ends with the note of "hope".

Theme of the Story

The remarkable theme of the story is that man is inherently good by nature and it is material benefits or the society and the environment he lives in makes him bad. Since, the story ends on a positive note pf hope, we infer that human goodness and kindness can bring about the change in the attitude of any person trapped.

Overview

Through the story, " The Rattrap" the author underlines the belief that essential kindness in human being can be aroused through sympathy, understanding the love. The story revolves around a man who used to sekk rattrap, steal and even begs to make his ends meet. While walking he was was struck with a sudden realisation that the whole world is rattrap and it offers riches as baits. Just like a rat is tempted to touch and take the bait away even people are tempted to touch the bait provided by the world and as soon as they get closer it traps them bringing everything at end. One dark evenng the rattrap peddlar sought shelter in old an old crofter's roadside cottage. The old man was kind hearted and generous and gave him food, tobacco and even played a card game with him. The old man told him about his earnings and also told him where he kept them. The next morning the peddler stole away the old's man earnings that were thirty kroners. He escaped into a big confusing forest and got lost. He got tired and just when he was about to conclude that his end is near he heared the thumping voice from the Ramsji ironworks and he went inside to seek shelter for the night. The owner soon came and noticed him and mistaken him for an old acquaintance of his named Nils Olof. He invited the peddler to stay with him forthe Christmas Eve as even as even he and his daughter unhappy spending the Eve all alone. Though then pedllar was reluctant but when the owner of the mill sent his daughter Edla Wllmansson to persuade him he could not say no. The peddler realizes that by stealing thirty kroners from the old man and accepting the invitation for Christmas Eve he was knowingly thrown himself intonthe lions den. When the pedllar came to the dining table all well groomed and dressed not as a tramp but as a gentleman the iron master or the owner realizes that hebhad mistaken him and he threatened to call the police. Though his daughter pleaded that the pedller should not be bothered and he deserves at least one day at peace. The iron master although reluctantly agreed to his daughter's request and the pedller was given a food and a place to sleep and was not disturbed exceptnfor food. Next morning the iron master and his daughter learn at the church about the man who stole thirty kroners from the old man and escaped into the woods and they realize its none other than their guest and they rush home only to find that the man was gone. But he did not steal anything instead he leftna packet for Edla as her Christmas present, she opens the packet, she opens the packet and finds a Rattrap, three wrinkled ten- kroners notes and also a letter with a request to return the kroners to the crofter.