The Rattrap (Selma Lagerlöf) — Practice

Question 1

Explain the central metaphor of the world as a rattrap in 'The Rattrap'.

Accepted Answer

The peddler sells rattraps made from discarded wire. One day it strikes him that the whole world is nothing but a big rattrap: it offers baits to people — riches, joys, shelter, food, warmth, clothing — just as a rattrap offers cheese or pork to attract a rat. The moment a person grabs the bait (out of greed or need), the trap snaps shut and everything comes to an end. He himself later falls into this trap when he steals the old crofter's 30 kronor — tempted by the 'bait' of easy money. The metaphor is both philosophical (the world traps all who are greedy) and self-referential: the peddler becomes the very rat he philosophised about.

Question 2

What makes Edla Willmansson different from her father the ironmaster? Why is it HER kindness, not his, that transforms the peddler?

Accepted Answer

THE IRONMASTER'S HELP — Conditional: The ironmaster invites the peddler to his home because he is convinced the peddler is his old friend Captain von Stahle. When he discovers his mistake the next morning, he is furious — he wants to throw the peddler out or hand him to the sheriff. His 'kindness' was entirely based on a mistaken identity; it was not for the peddler as a person, but for a projected social equal. EDLA'S HELP — Unconditional: Edla is the first to suspect the peddler is not Captain von Stahle — she notices his fear and evasiveness. Yet she persuades her father to let him stay for Christmas anyway: 'I think he ought to stay with us today. I don't want him to be sent away.' She gives him warmth, food, new clothes, and — most importantly — DIGNITY. She treats him as a human being regardless of who he is. THE REASON EDLA'S KINDNESS TRANSFORMS: The peddler has spent his life being exploited, suspected, and despised. The old crofter's kindness was genuine but led to exploitation (the peddler stole from him). The ironmaster's 'kindness' was conditional. But Edla's kindness is GENUINE, UNCONDITIONAL, and treats him as someone CAPABLE OF BEING GOOD. When she says she doesn't want to 'force anyone against their will,' she gives him freedom AND trust simultaneously. This combination — unconditional positive regard and real freedom — is what the peddler has never experienced. It awakens his dormant sense of honour. He can respond to her trust only by BEING TRUSTWORTHY — returning the money and signing as 'Captain von Stahle' (the person she believed he could be).

Question 3

Trace the peddler's transformation from a cynic who sees the world as a rattrap to a man who returns stolen money and signs himself 'Captain von Stahle'. What does the story say about human goodness and the power of genuine kindness?

Accepted Answer

PHASE 1 — THE CYNIC: The peddler sells rattraps made of wire, going from door to door, begging and stealing to survive. He develops a philosophy: the world is one big rattrap, offering baits (wealth, comfort, pleasure) to trap the unwary. He is homeless, despised, and utterly without hope. His cynicism is his armour against the misery of his existence. PHASE 2 — THE THIEF (FALLING INTO THE TRAP): The old crofter shows genuine hospitality — tobacco, coffee, sharing his own modest meal. He even shows the peddler his savings: 30 kronor in a leather pouch on the window frame. The next night, after leaving, the peddler returns, breaks a window, and steals the money. He has become the rat he philosophised about — caught by the bait of easy money. He becomes a fugitive, wandering in a forest (symbolically lost — physically and morally). PHASE 3 — EDLA'S INTERVENTION: The peddler stumbles upon Ramsjo Ironworks, and is mistaken for the ironmaster's friend. He is taken to the Willmansson estate. He accepts the hospitality as a deception, planning to escape as soon as he can. But Edla's unconditional kindness — she knows he's not who he claims, yet insists he stay for Christmas with warmth, food, and new clothes — unsettles him. He had planned to leave but feels guilty: 'If only I could get back to the forest and only had to take care of myself again, it would be all right.' He has never been treated as a person of worth before. PHASE 4 — THE TRANSFORMATION: On Christmas morning, the ironmaster confronts him. But Edla says: 'May I beg you to let him stay? He'll be helped... and he doesn't have to be afraid here.' This is the turning point. Her TRUST — given freely, without condition — creates in the peddler a MORAL OBLIGATION he chooses to honour. PHASE 5 — THE GIFT: He leaves behind a rattrap containing the 30 stolen kronor and a letter to Edla. The letter thanks her for treating him like a 'Captain' and says he 'escaped the rattrap.' He signs himself 'Captain von Stahle' — the identity she believed he deserved. WHAT THE STORY SAYS: The story argues that human goodness is not destroyed by poverty, desperation, or repeated failure — it can be AWAKENED by genuine, unconditional kindness. The crofter's hospitality (kind but finite), the ironmaster's 'help' (conditional on identity), and society's judgment (vagrant, thief) could not touch the peddler's core. Only Edla's utterly unconditional and dignifying treatment could. This is the story's faith: beneath cynicism and crime is a person who CAN choose goodness — when given the freedom and dignity to do so.

Practice — The Rattrap (Selma Lagerlöf)

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