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Question
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?
Solution
| 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.
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| “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.” |
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