Question

Understanding, love and kindness have the ability to transform others. Discuss in the light of the chapter „The Rattrap‟​

Answer 1

The vagabond, the protagonist of 'The rattrap' was a highly disillusioned man. he looks at the world as a rattrap that waits to close in on him as soon as he takes the bait dangled before him. He had no trust in human kindness and selflessness.
Once he had stolen the money from the crofter he looks at everybody with suspicion. Even the invitation to the manor house generates suspicion in him. So he refuses. But when Edla comes and promises to let him go unharmed after Christmas, he gains confidence.

When the Iron master recognizes his mistake, the tramp was ready to go. But Edla was determined to offer a good Christmas to the poor vagabond. She recognized him for what he was and understood his fears. So she gave him a decent dress and treated him as she would treat any guest. She even went as far as to offer him the same treatment next Christmas also, if he cared to accept.
The fact that she treated him with dignity and honour, the tramp decided to conform to her ideas and change into a decent man. He even signed in the name of the army captain and returned the stolen money because he did not want her to be ashamed of him. The vagabond was a changed man.