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प्रश्न
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?
उत्तर
| Sr. No. |
Labels |
Contexts |
| 1 | Peddler | As he peddles or sells the rattraps |
| 2 | Vagabond | Used to describe his nomadic lifestyle |
| 3 | Stranger | Used to refer to the peddler when he was at the crofter’s place, possibly to emphasise the fact that the crofter was compassionate to an unknown man |
| 4 | Guest | He is treated with compassion, especially at the ironmaster’s house where he was invited to spend the Christmas |
| 5 | Intruder | When the peddler trespasses and enters the iron mill |
| 6 | Tramp | When the peddler asks for lodgings at the iron mill; also when the ironmaster, mistaking him for his old regimental comrade plans of helping him drop his tramp ways and begin a new vocation |
| 7 | Ragamuffin | When the ironmaster first notices him wrapped in rags and in the state to utter destitution |
| 8 | Old regimental comrade | The ironmaster mistakes him for his old friend when he first meets the peddler at his iron mill |
| 9 | Poor hungry wretch | Used only once when the author mentions the fact that Edla was excited about the prospect of getting a chance to help an unfortunate fellow on Christmas |
| 10 | Rat | The peddler calls himself a rat and thanks Edla for helping him escape the rattrap with her kindness and compassion |
Notes
This list may not be an exhaustive one. The students are strongly recommended to read the chapters and find other such terms and phrases on their own.
APPEARS IN
संबंधित प्रश्न
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 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?
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 respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?
Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?
Why did the peddler decline the invitation?
What doubts did Edla have about the peddler?
When did the ironmaster realise his mistake?
What did the peddler say in his defence when it was clear that he was not the person the ironmaster had thought he was?
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.
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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.
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Name a few indoor games played in your region. ‘Chopar’ could be an example.
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.
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?
Read the given extract and answer the questions.
| “I am thinking of this stranger here,” said Edla. “He walks and walks the whole year long, and there is probably not a single place in the whole country where he is welcome and can feel at home. Wherever he turns he is chased away. Always he is afraid of being arrested and cross-examined. I should like to have him enjoy a day of peace with us here – just one in the whole year.” |
- Complete the following sentence with the most appropriate option: (1)
Edla wished the Pedlar to have a peaceful day because ______.
- the Pedlar had worked for Edla
- the Pedlar had not been released from jail
- the Pedlar had been staying at the forge
- the Pedlar had always been looked with suspicion
- Select a suitable word from the extract to complete the analogy. (1)
single : multiple :: abroad : ______. - In the above extract, Edla comes across as ______. (1)
- conscientious
- pretentions
- compassionate
- selfless
- Based on the above extract, choose the statement which is true. (1)
- Relationships are rattraps.
- Money is important in the world.
- Criminal is not born but made.
- Christmas is a time of charity.
- In the context of the given extract, which day is referred to in the expression 'just one in the whole year'? (1)
- What does the expression 'he is cross examined' suggest? (1)
Answer the following question in about 40-50 words.
Who was Edla Willmansson? Why did she visit the forge at night?
