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प्रश्न
The peddler comes out as a person with a subtle sense of humour. How does this serve in lightening the seriousness of the theme of the story and also endear him to us?
उत्तर
The peddler doesn’t come across as a humorous person, although one can locate a subtle sense of humour in the way he thinks about the world as being a giant rattrap. He is singularly pleased by this thought of his because it provides him with the opportunity of thinking ‘ill’ of the world that is not kind to him. It is clearly visible that whenever he gets caught unaware, in the web of deceit spun by his scheming mind, he hides behind the thought that the world is a rattrap and he merely a prey. Thus, he lightens the mood and theme of the story and makes us endear him.
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संबंधित प्रश्न
Answer the following question in 120-150 words :
Edla proved to be much more persuasive than her father while dealing with peddler. Comment.
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
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 peddler decline the invitation?
What made the peddler accept Edla Willmansson’s invitation?
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?
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.
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?
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?
