Rat Trap Flashcards
theme
basic human need for companionship and shows negative effects of loneliness.
The peddler
- un named
- lives as a tramp
- sells rat trap but does not earn enough so indulges in petty theft and begging.
characteristics of the peddler
- vagabond.
- thief
- beggar
- witty
- philosopher.
- pragmatist
- humorous.
edla
- daughter of ironmaster.
- describes as “not petty at all but modest and quite shy.”
- most +ve figure.
- her compassion and generosity is the reason for the peddler’s transformation.
ironmaster
- owns ramsjo ironworks.
prominent ironmaster - in his younger day she was i the military, so he mistakes the peddler for his “old regimental comrade.
the crofter
- he lets the peddler spend a night in his house.
- he is lonely and is glad to have company and provides the peddler with food, tobaco and conversation.
- he is a kind and generous old man, but the peddler repays his generosity by stealing 30 kronors from him.
idea of the world being a rat trap
One day he while thinking about his own rat traps the peddler realized that the whole world around him was a ratrap.
why did the crofter show the 30 kronors to the peddler
The Crafter felt proud of the cow that gave him enough milk to support him. He told the peddler that he had got 30 kroners from the criminally as the payment of the previous month’s supply however he felt that the peddler did not believe him. He showed the money to convince him.
what made teh peddler think tha the has fallen in to the rat trap
After stealing the Crafter’s money the peddler believed that it was not safe to work along the Public Highway so he went into the woods. He walked there but could not get out of it he soon realized that he had fallen into the rattrap the forest with its trunks, branches and undergrowth appeared to him like an impenetrable prison.
why did teh peddler decline teh offer
The peddler was afraid as he was carrying stolen money with him. Miller knew that the Iron Master had mistaken him for an old regimental comedy and feared that the iron master would send him to the police he felt it was like walking into a lion’s den
doubts edla had about the peddler
Edla was kind, trusting and compassionate. she had promised joy and festivities to the peddler on Christmas Eve. Therefore she entertains the peddler even after she learns the truth about him. Edla previously thought that the peddler had stolen something or had escaped from jail she did not believe him to be educated, thus she did not think of him as her father’s old regimental comrade.
what did the peddler say in his defence
The peddler said that he never pretended to be the Iron Master’s old comrade he only decided to be permitted to sleep in the forge for the night. He had declined the Iron Masters invitation, again and again he even offered to put on his rags again and go away.
why did the peddler sign himself as Captain Von Stahle
The peddler signed himself as Captain Von Stahle because Edla with her kindness and empathy had made him feel like a Captain. He also mention sthat he would have been caught in the rat trap if he had not been raised to a captain. All this was due to Edla’s behaviour, who made him feel like a real captain.
