The story begins with a rattrap peddler who is in a rugged condition. He is dressed in rags, appears very frail, and looks starved. Moreover, he has no home to live in and sometimes even begs or steals to survive. The peddler is amused by the idea of the world being a giant rattrap because he has never been treated kindly by it. Meanwhile, the crofter is a lonely man who lives alone in a small gray cottage by the roadside. He has no wife, children, or friends. One cold evening, the peddler arrives at the cottage to ask for shelter. Surprisingly, the old crofter welcomes him in. Like the peddler, the crofter is also lonely, so he is happy to find someone to talk to. He hopes the peddler’s presence will bring some relief from his boredom and monotony. As a result, he becomes very talkative and friendly with the peddler. He gives him shelter to live, food and even tobacco to smoke. In addition, they paly cards and start talking. The peddler found that the crofter had received thirty kronor for selling his cow, which he kept in a pouch on the window frame. The next day, the peddler left the cottage, he comes back to steals the crofter’s money. After stealing the crofter’ money, he ran to the forest. He got lost into the forest and realized that the whole world is a big rattrap and he was also trapped in it. After that, he met an ironmaster who mistook him to be his an old friend. He invited the peddler to celebrate the Christmas, but he refused. Then the ironmaster’s daughter, Edla, visited him and insisted that he stay with them. Edla talks to him with love and politeness. She gives him respect. Moreover, they help the peddler get a makeover and dress him in nice clothes. As a result, he feels sorry for stealing crofter’s money.
Intro of “The Rattrap”
The Rattrap Summary
Character sketch of The Rattrap Seller
The peddler is in a rugged condition. He is dressed in rags and is very frail and looks starved. We learns that he has no home and sometimes even begs and steals to survive in the world . This shows that he is very poor and his life is struggle. He believes that the world is a rattrap and all the material things are bait to trap people. This shows his philosophy.
Character Sketch of Crofter
One cold evening, the peddler arrives at a cottage to ask for shelter. The Crofter allows him to stay in the cottage. This shows that the crofter is a trusting and kind man. He allows the stranger to live with him. He is a lonely fellow. In fact, he had no wife, children and anyone talk to him. The crofter needed company so he welcomes the peddler. Even he gives him food, tobacco and a place to sleep. This shows he is a trusting and completely alone person.
Character Sketch of Ironmaster
The ironmaster is a wealthy and practical man. When he met the peddler he mistook him to be his an old friend. He invited the peddler to celebrate the Christmas, but he refused. Out of a sense of friendship and duty, he insists the peddler come to his house to spend Christmas. The ironmaster is not a bad person, his decisions are impulsive, and he lacks the wisdom and empathy that Edla displays.
Character Sketch of Edla
Ironmaster’s daughter, Edla is a compassionate and gentle character in the chapter. She is kind-hearted, empathetic, and respectful to others, regardless of their social status. . Edla talks to him with love and politeness. She gives him respect. Moreover, they also help the peddler get a makeover and dress him in nice clothes.
Important Points to Remember
The rattrap is in a rugged condition.
The peddler thought that the world being a giant rattrap because he has never been treated kindly by it.
The peddler arrives at the cottage to ask for shelter.
The Crofter allows him to stay in the cottage. Moreover, he gives him food, tobacco and a place to sleep.
He met the peddler he mistook him to be his an old friend.
Edla is a compassionate and gentle girl.
They also help the peddler get makeover and dress him in nice clothes.
