Page 1 - Lesson Notes

THE RATTRAP (Module 1)

Selma Lagerlof (1858-1940) was a Swedish writer whose stories have been
translated into many languages. This story is set in the middle of the mines of
Sweden which are rich in iron ore. The story is narrated in the manner of a fairy
tale. It gives us the message that the emotions of love and acceptance can reform
others.

The Rattrap peddler & his thoughts about the world-

- The Rattrap is a story about a rattrap seller who leads a very poor life as his
earnings are very low. He has to resort to thievery and begging to make

both ends meet.
- The life of the rattrap seller was very sad and boring. He was homeless and

slowly, with heavy feet, he walked along the road, lost in his own thoughts.
But one day he got lost in a series of thoughts which he found very
interesting.

- The man was thinking about the rattrap and suddenly, a thought came to

his mind that the whole world which includes land, sea, cities and villages
was similar to a rattrap. He thought that there was no meaning of the

existence of this world.

- It was nothing but a temptation, just like cheese and pork which we offer as
bait to catch the rat. So according to him, as soon as someone tries to
comfort himself with joy, foodand shelter he at once gets trapped into this

rattrap which is known as ‘world’.

The crofter treats the Peddler nicely-

- One dark evening as he was trudging along the road he caught sight of a

little gray cottage by the roadside, and he knocked on the door to ask
shelter for the night. Nor was he refused. Instead of the sour faces which