Summary of English Chapter 4 The Rattrap Class 12 Flamingo
NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 4 The Rattrap
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Important Questions of Class 12 English Chapter 4 The Rattrap
Author: Selma Lagerlöf
- The Rattrap is a story about human kindness, compassion, and the power of goodness to bring a positive change in a person’s life. The story revolves around a poor rattrap seller who changes himself after receiving love, respect, and understanding from a kind person.
- The story begins with a poor peddler who sells small rattraps made of wire. His life is full of misery and poverty. He has no home and earns very little money by selling rattraps and sometimes by begging and stealing. One day, while thinking about his life, he gets the idea that the whole world is nothing but a big rattrap. According to him, the world offers temptations like wealth, food, shelter, and comfort, just as a rattrap offers cheese to attract a rat. Once a person is attracted by these temptations, he gets trapped in difficulties and suffering.
- The peddler finds this idea very amusing because he feels that everyone in the world is trapped by material desires. He thinks that he himself is free because he has nothing and owns nothing. This thought gives him some satisfaction.
- One evening, the peddler reaches the house of an old crofter. He expects that the crofter will also refuse to help him, as people usually treat him badly. However, the crofter welcomes him warmly and offers him food, shelter, and a place to sleep. The crofter is very friendly and talkative because he lives alone and enjoys having someone to share his thoughts with. He tells the peddler about his work and proudly shows him the thirty kronor he has earned by selling milk. He shows the money because he trusts the peddler and wants to prove that he is telling the truth.
- The peddler does not respect the crofter’s trust. The next morning, when the crofter is away, he steals the thirty kronor and leaves. While escaping, he enters a forest and loses his way. At that moment, he feels that he has actually fallen into the world’s rattrap. His greed for money has trapped him, just as a rat is trapped by bait.
- After wandering through the forest, the peddler reaches Ramsjö Ironworks. There, the ironmaster sees him in the dim light and mistakes him for his old regimental friend, Captain von Stahle. The ironmaster thinks that the man has fallen on bad days and invites him to his home for Christmas. The peddler refuses because he is afraid that his real identity will be discovered and he may get into trouble.
- However, the ironmaster’s daughter Edla Willmansson requests him to spend Christmas with them. Her gentle words, kindness, and sympathy convince him to accept the invitation. At the ironmaster’s house, the peddler is treated with great respect. He is given good food, clean clothes, and comfort. Edla notices that he is frightened and suspicious. She doubts that he is not the person her father believes him to be and may have done something wrong.
- The next day, when the peddler is cleaned and dressed properly, the ironmaster realises his mistake. He understands that the peddler is not Captain von Stahle. He becomes angry and wants him to leave immediately. The peddler defends himself by saying that he never claimed to be Captain von Stahle. He says that the ironmaster himself had misunderstood him.
- Even after knowing the truth, Edla allows the peddler to stay because she feels sympathy for him. She believes that everyone deserves kindness and a peaceful Christmas. She does not want to throw him out after promising him comfort and security.
- Edla’s goodness and kindness bring a great change in the peddler’s heart. Before leaving, he decides to prove that he is not completely dishonest. He returns the stolen thirty kronor and leaves a rattrap as a Christmas gift for Edla. He also leaves a letter signed as Captain von Stahle. In the letter, he thanks Edla for treating him with respect and kindness. He says that her goodness has helped him become a better person.
- The story ends with the message that love, kindness, and understanding can transform even a person who has lost hope and chosen the wrong path. The peddler was trapped in the rattrap of greed and poverty, but Edla’s compassion helped him escape and discover the goodness within himself.
Summary of English Chapter 4 The Rattrap Class 12 Flamingo
Theme of the Chapter
The main theme of “The Rattrap” is that human beings can change when they receive love, respect, and compassion. The story teaches us that no person is completely bad, and a small act of kindness can bring a great transformation in someone’s life.
Summary of English Chapter 4 The Rattrap Class 12 Flamingo
