Why was the peddler amused at the idea of the world being a rattrap?
Answers
The rattrap is depicted as the symbol of the whole world with its lands, seas, cities and villages which seemed like a big rattrap to the peddler.
It had never existed for any other purpose than to set baits for people. It offered riches and joys, shelter and food, heat and clothing, exactly as the rattrap offered cheese and pork.
But as soon as anyone let himself be tempted to touch the bait, it closed in on him and then everything came to an end. This is what amused the peddler that a thing such as his rattrap could so easily be a metaphor for the world.
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One of the most interesting chapter
" The rattrap " .
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Answer:
Selma Legarlof through her story "The Rattrap" interrogates the serious theme of human loneliness and the need to bond with others by employing humor. The author opts a humorous way to depict the severe theme in a light-hearted manner.
The peddler(the protagonist) seems amused at the thought of world being a rattrap as he observes that all the things of luxury and comfort are mere baits for man and the man in his attempt to acquire these baits, ultimately falls into rattrap and everything comes to conclusion. He enjoys the idea as the 'world had never been kind to him', thus, he derives pleasure out of the idea of whole world being a rattrap. Even when he steals Krofter's thirty Kronor, he was not guilty at all. He was a carefree fellow and he seems running away of being caught into this trap. The use of humor reflects the thoughtful yet deliberate concern of the futility of human life and the isolation.