Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 4
Question Answer
The Rattrap Question Answer
Here we are providing the question and answers for the 4th chapter of Class 12 English, “The Rattrap”. This chapter studies the main features related to “The Rattrap“.
These notes will prove useful for students preparing for the board examinations this year. Prepared in simple and organized language, this material will help in quickly revising the chapter and remembering the key points.
Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 4 Question Answer, The Rattrap Question Answer

Class 12 english Chapter 4 Question answer
Think as you read
Q.1. From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?
Ans. During one of his usual plodding, the peddler thought on the subject to rattraps. It presented him with the idea of the world being a rattrap and he grew fond of thinking this way.
Q.2. Why was he amused by this idea?
Ans. The peddler was amused by the idea of the world being a giant rattrap because he was never treated kindly by the world. Therefore, he harboured hard feelings for it and loved to think ill of it by comparing it with a giant trap.
Q.3. Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter?
Ans. No, the peddler did not expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter.
Q.4. Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?
Ans. The crofter used to live alone. He had no wife or child, so he was happy to get Someone to talk to in his loneliness. Secondly, he was quite kind and generous.
Q.5. Why did he show the thirty kroner to the peddler?
Ans. The Crofter told the peddler that by Supplying his cow’s milk to the creamery. He had received thirty kronor in payment. The peddler seemed to doubt it. So, in order to assure his guest of the truth he showed the thirty kronor to the peddler.
Q.6. Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter.
Ans. No, the peddler did not respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter. At the very First opportunity that he got, he smashed the window pane, took out the memory and hung the leather pouch back in its place. Then he went away.
Q.7. What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?
Ans. The peddler realised that he must not walk on the public highway with the stolen money in his pocket. He went into the woods. He kept walking without Coming to the end of the wood. Then he realised that he had fallen into the rattrap. He had let himself fooled by a bait and had been caught in.
Q.8. Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?
Ans. The ironmaster walked closely up to the peddler. In the uncertain reflection from the furnace, he mistook the man for his old regimental comrade, captain Van Stahle. He addressed the stranger as Nils olof, spoke very kindly and invited him home.
Q.9. Why did the peddler decline the invitation?
Ans. The peddler knew that the ironmaster had mistaken him for his old regimental comrade. Secondly, he had stolen money- thirty kronor from him. Going to the ironmaster’s residence would be like entering the lion’s den. So, he declined the invitation.
Q.10. What made the peddler accept Edla Willmansson's invitation?
Ans. The peddler accepted her invitation because of her friendly manner and the assurance that he wouldn’t face any harm, unlike the ironmaster who he was afraid of.
Q.11. What doubts did Edla have about the peddler?
Ans. Edla doubted the peddler was a thief from the moment she saw him, and she believed he had stolen something or escaped from jail.
Q.12. When did the ironmaster realise his mistake?
Ans. The ironmaster realized his mistake the next morning, after the peddler was cleaned, shaved and well-dressed. In broad daylight, he clearly saw that the man was not his old regimental acquaintance, Captain Van Stahle.
Q.13. What did the peddler say in his defence when it was clear that he was not the person the ironmaster had thought he was?
Ans. In his defense, the peddler started that he never claimed to be anymore but a poor trader and had merely sought shelter. He reminded the ironmaster that it was the ironmaster who had insisted on the invitation, despite the peddler’s protests.
Q.14. Why did Edla still entertain the peddler even after she knew the truth about him?
Ans. Edla, being inherently kind and empathetic Continued to entertain the peddler out of Compassion. She believed it was her duty to offer hospitality and a day of peace during Christmas, especially since they had invited him, and she wanted to help him.
Q.15. Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?
Ans. Edla, being inherently kind and empatheticAns. Edla was happy because the gift (a rattrap and the stolen money, to be returned) showed that her kindness had touched the peddler, leading to his transformation. and gratitude, Validating her belief in his inherent goodness. Continued to entertain the peddler out of Compassion. She believed it was her duty to offer hospitality and a day of peace during Christmas, especially since they had invited him, and she wanted to help him.
Q.16. Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von Stahle?
Ans. The peddler signed as Captain Von Stahle as a mark of respect and gratitude for Edla’s unwavering kindness and the dignity She showed him, which inspired him to shed his thieving ways and act with honor, like a true captain.
Understanding the text
Q.1. How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter, the ironmaster and his daughter?
Ans. He saw the crofter’s hospitality as an opportunity for theft, the ironmaster’s as Conditional based on mistaken identity, but Edla’s genuine kindness as transformative, leading to his change of heart.
Q.2.What are the instances in the story that show that the character of the ironmaster is different from that of his daughter in many Ways?
Ans. The ironmaster is impulsive and judgmental, (mistakes peddler, then threatens him), While Edla is perceptive, compassionate, and unwavering in her kindness, even after knowing his true identity, showing a deeper understanding of human nature.
Q.3. The story has many instances of unexpected reactions From the characters to others' behaviour. Pick out instances of these surprises
Ans. Unexpected reactions includes, the ironmaster inviting a stranger home, Edla’s kindness despite knowing the truth and the peddler returning the stolen money.
Q.4. What made the peddler Finally change his Ways?
Ans. The peddler changed his ways due to the unconditional kindness and Compassion shown by Edla Willmansson, which awakened his inherent goodness and made him desire to reform.
Q.5. How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human predicament?
Ans. The rattrap metaphor highlights the human predicament by symbolizing how the world entices individuals with ‘Baits’ like riches and status, trapping them in a cycle of desire and entanglement once they succumb to temptation.
Q.6. 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?
Ans. The peddler humour adds charm to his character, making the serious story more relatable and heartwarming.
Long Type Question answer
1.Compare and contrast the character of the iron master with that of his daughter.
OR
Give examples from the story "The Rattrap" to show how the iron master is different from his daughter.
OR
What are the instances in the story that shows that the character of the iron master is different from that of his daughter in many ways.
Ans. Iron master’s daughter more persuasive We are Introduced with the iron master and his daughter when they try to take the peddler with them to their house.
The former fails to persuade him while his daughter succeeds persuading him. The difference in their characters is quite clear.
Daughter- greater observer-The daughter is a greater observer than her father. Seeing the peddler, she observes that he is afraid. Either he has stole something or else he has escaped from jail. She also tells her father that he does not look like an educated man. Her father does not pay attention to all these things and says simply that the tramp manners of the man will fall away from him With the tramp clothes.
2. What made the peddler finally change his ways
OR
Describe the events which changed the peddler's way of life.
Ans.The peddler was a poor man. He did not earn much money by selling rattraps. So at times he used to steal. He was never welcomed anywhere. So he had developed a kind of aversion for the people around him. He did not care for them. That is why he paid little attention to the good treatment that he received from the crofter. When he was mistaken for a captain. He made use of that situation, But finally, when he came in contact with the iron master’s daughter, his sensibilities got stirred. For the first time he realised that the world was not so bad and that there were some agreeable faces also which anyone could rely on. His meeting with Edla made his change his ways.
3. The story "The Rattrap" is both entertaining and philosophical. ?Do you agree with this statement why?
OR
The story 'The Rattrap' is a mixture of entertainment and philosophic. Explain.
Ans. In support of the view, the following points can be presented
(i) As the peddler walks along with the thirty kronors in his pocket, he feels very happy at his smartness.
(ii) The peddler says, “This whole world is nothing but a big rattrap. All the good things that are offered to you (rich people) are nothing but cheese and bits of porks, set out to drag a poor fellow into trouble.
(iii) When the iron master asks the peddler to leave his house, his daughter gives philosophical argument. “It was all a mistake, of course. But any way I don’t think we ought to chase away a human being whom we have asked to come here and to whom we have promised Christmas cheer.”
4. How did the peddler betray the confidence reposed in him by the Crofter in 'The Rattrap'? (Imp)
Ans. The peddler did betray the confidence reposed in him by the Crofter. He considered this world nothing but a big rattrap. It sets baits for people. The peddler unwillingly allowed himself to be tempted to touch the bait. Those thirty kronors which the Crofter stuffed into the pouch proved to be a bait. He stole the money. By doing so he committed a breach of trust. It was nothing but simple moral degeneration. In this way, he betrayed the confi-dence that was reposed in him by the host.
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