Question

Question 1: How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter, the ironmaster and his daughter?

Class 12 - English - The Rattrap Page 43

Answer 1

The peddler was a man who went around selling small rattraps of wire. He was leading a sad and monotonus life of a vagabond. He knocked at the door of the cottage of the crofter who turned out to be an old man without wife and children. He showed his kindness and hospitality towards him which the peddler had not excepted. But the peddler stole his thirty kronors. Thus he betrayed the confidence reposed in him by the crofter. 

The ironmaster, thinking him as an old acquaintance Captian Von Stahle , showed kindness to him and invited him to spend the Christmas evening with him. But the peddler thought that if he would say that he is the one whom the ironmaster is thinking, then he would get some more kronors.That's why he did not reveal his true identity.

Edla Willmanson, requested the peddler to go to her home in a very compassionate and friendly manner.He then accepted to go to their home. 
But while he was riding the manor house, he felt very guilty of whatever he did. So he decided to correct his mistake. He did that by leaving a gift for Edla in which there were the thirty kronors which he had theft from the crofter's house. He had written in the note to return the money of crofter back.

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Answer 2

The different ways in which the peddler interpreted the kindness of the three people are:-


The peddler realized that for the crofter it was his craving for company that led him to offer his hospitality.

The ironmaster’s hospitality apparently is limited to his acquaintances.

He was touched by Edla’s kindness and it made him want to act differently.


Hope it helps!