UP Board Class 12th English-Prose – Chapter 4: Handwritten Notes of The Rattrap

"The Rattrap" by Selma Lagerlöf is a thought-provoking story that explores themes of human kindness, redemption, and the moral choices one faces in life. The narrative follows the life of a poor peddler who, after being caught in a trap of his own making, learns a life-changing lesson from an unexpected act of kindness. Through this story, Lagerlöf illustrates how compassion and understanding can lead to personal transformation.

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Key Points

1. The Peddler’s Life:
   • The story begins with the peddler, a poor, disheartened man, who roams the countryside selling small goods. He is cynical and sees life as a trap, much like the rat trap he compares life to.
2. The Metaphor of the Rattrap:
   • The peddler uses the metaphor of a rattrap to describe the entrapment of life. Just as a rat is enticed into a trap with the promise of food, people, in his view, are lured into materialism and greed, which eventually leads to their downfall.
3. The Encounter with the Ironmaster:
   • One day, the peddler takes shelter in a mansion owned by an ironmaster. The ironmaster mistakes him for an old acquaintance and invites him to stay, offering food and shelter. Despite initial skepticism, the peddler accepts, seeing an opportunity.
4. The Change in the Peddler:
   • The turning point comes when the peddler is treated kindly by the ironmaster’s daughter, Edla. She offers him comfort and kindness without expecting anything in return. Her sincere compassion and respect for him spark a change in his heart, leading him to reconsider his cynical view of the world.
5. The Final Act of Redemption:
   • After Edla's kindness, the peddler decides to return a purse full of money he had previously stolen from the ironmaster. He leaves behind a note, confessing his crime and expressing his gratitude. This act of redemption shows the power of compassion and forgiveness to change a person’s life.

Conclusion

"The Rattrap" is a story about the potential for change within every person and the transformative power of kindness. The peddler’s journey from cynicism and selfishness to redemption illustrates how even the most hardened individuals can be touched by genuine human warmth and compassion. Selma Lagerlöf’s narrative suggests that kindness, rather than material wealth, is the true key to unlocking personal growth and moral awakening.

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