5 MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS OF THE RATTRAP

These are the 5 most important questions of ‘THE RATTRAP’ from Flamingo Class 12 English of CBSE/NCERT syllabus in simple and easy notes.

Question 1. Why did the peddler think that the world is a rattrap?

Answer. The peddler was a very poor man and it was very difficult for him to meet the two ends of the day. He used to make rattraps from the material he used to get from begging. Hence, his mind was always preoccupied by making and selling of rattraps. One day when he was thinking about the world, he found a parallel between the two. He thought that happiness, shelter, clothes, food and being rich were baits for trapping people. When one is trapped, everything comes to an end.

Question 2. Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly? Did peddler expect the hospitality that he received from the crofter?

Answer. The crofter was an old man who had no family and therefore he was lonely and full of boredom. When he got the company of the peddler, he was happy and he expressed his joy by pouring warmth and friendliness on his guest.

No, the peddler did not expect the hospitality that he received from the crofter because nobody had ever treated him with kindness. He expected to be treated sourly by the crofter too but he was surprised by the warmth that he received.

Question 3. Why did the ironmaster invite peddler to his home and why did the peddler decline his invitation?

Answer. The ironmaster invited peddler to his home because he mistook him for Captain Nils Olof, an old regimental comrade. The ironmaster wished to make his future secure and present comfortable and therefore invited him home.

The peddler declined ironmaster’s invitation because he was afraid of being caught for stealing the crofter’s money.

Question 4. What doubts did Edla have about the peddler?

Answer. Even though Edla was sweet and friendly towards the peddler but she still had her share of doubts about him. She had a keen sense of observation and psychological insight into humans. When she saw the peddler, she noticed the fear in his eyes when he was invited into the house. She immediately concluded that either he had stolen something or had escaped from the jail.

Question 5. Why did peddler sign himself as ‘Captain von Stahle’?

Answer. The peddler was overwhelmed and touched by the way Edla treated him. She knew his real identity and still treated him like a captain. Now it was his turn to behave in a dignified manner. The goodness of his heart was awakened so he signed himself as captain because had he not been elevated to the rank of a captain he would not have escaped the world’s rattrap.