The RATTRAP
TEXTBOOK EXERCISES
1. From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?
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2. Why was he amused by this idea?
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3. Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter?
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4. Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?
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5. Why did he show the thirty kronor to the peddler?
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6. Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?
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7. What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?
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8. Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?
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9. Why did the peddler decline the invitation?
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10. What made the peddler accept Edla Willmansson’s invitation?
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11. What doubts did Edla have about the peddler?
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12. When did the ironmaster realise his mistake?
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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?
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14. Why did Edla still entertain the peddler even after she knew the truth about him?
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15. Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?
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16. Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von stahle?
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UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT
1. How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter, the ironmaster and his daughter?
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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?
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3. The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to others’ behaviour. Pick out instances of these surprises.
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4. What made the peddler finally change his ways?
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5. How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human predicament?
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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?
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