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प्रश्न
Discuss the following in groups of four. Each group can deal with one topic. Present the views of your group to the whole class.
The story is both entertaining and philosophical.
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उत्तर
The story is told in the form of a fairy tale with a happy ending. The narrative is interesting with many surprises and attention-grabbing dialogues. The twists and the unexpected reactions of the characters often astonish the reader making the story entertaining.
However, the author has carefully managed to weave philosophical elements into the storyline. The rattrap peddler’s comparison of the whole world with a giant rattrap makes this an interesting commentary on how such people end up getting trapped in the giant chasm. The story also makes an observation on the inherent goodness of people. It also showcases how goodness and kindness shown by some people can change others’ perspective.
संबंधित प्रश्न
How did the peddler feel after robbing the crofter? What course did he adopt and how did he react to the new situation? What does his reaction reveal?
Answer the following question in 120-150 words:
The peddler thinks that the whole world is a rattrap. This view of life is true only of himself and of no one else in the story. Comment.
Answer the following question in 120−150 words:
The peddler believed that the whole world is a rattrap. How did he himself get caught in the same?
Answer the following question in 120-150 words :
Edla proved to be much more persuasive than her father while dealing with peddler. Comment.
Answer the following in 125-150 words:
How did the peddler feel after robbing the crofter? What course did he adopt and how did he react to the new situation? What does his reaction reveal?
When and how did the peddler realise that he had fallen into a rattrap ? How could he get out of it ?
Notice these expressions in the text. Infer their meanings from the context.
- keep body and soul together
- hunger gleamed in his eyes
- plods along the road
- unwonted joy
- impenetrable prison
- nodded a haughty consent
- eased his way
- fallen into a line of thought
- things have gone downhill
From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?
Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter?
Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?
Why did he show the thirty kroner to the peddler?
Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?
What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?
Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?
Why did the peddler decline the invitation?
What made the peddler accept Edla Willmansson’s invitation?
What doubts did Edla have about the peddler?
When did the ironmaster realise his mistake?
Why did Edla still entertain the peddler even after she knew the truth about him?
Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?
Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von Stahle?
How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter, the ironmaster and his daughter?
The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to others’ behaviour. Pick out instances of these surprises.
What made the peddler finally change his ways?
How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human predicament?
Discuss the following in groups of four. Each group can deal with one topic. Present the views of your group to the whole class.
The reader’s sympathy is with the peddler right from the beginning of the story. Why is this so? Is the sympathy justified?
Discuss the following in groups of four. Each group can deal with one topic. Present the views of your group to the whole class.
The story also focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond with others.
Discuss the following in groups of four. Each group can deal with one topic. Present the views of your group to the whole class.
Have you known/heard of an episode where a good deed or an act of kindness has changed a person’s view of the world?
The man selling rattraps is referred to by many terms such as “peddler, stranger” etc. Pick out all such references to him. What does each of these labels indicate of the context or the attitude of the people around him?
Mjölis is a card game of Sweden.
Name a few indoor games played in your region. ‘Chopar’ could be an example.
Mistaken identity led to a discovery of a new one for the rattrap peddler. How did this impact him?
If the Christmas spirit is about selflessness, forgiveness and becoming 'better' versions of ourselves amongst other things, Edla Willmansson is the epitome of this spirit. Justify with two points of evidence from The Rattrap.
The iron master accuses the peddler of not being quite honest. What does the peddler say to justify the situation?
Why was the peddler surprised at the hospitality he received from the crofter?
Answer the following question in about 40-50 words.
How does the setting of the remote forest location in 'The Rattrap' contribute to the overall tone and mood of the story?
