The Rattrap by Selma Lagerlof (Study Guide)

 

The Rattrap

by Selma Lagerlof

(Study Guide) 

Selma Lagerlöf was a Swedish author and the first female writer to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1909. She was born on November 20, 1858, in Östra Emterwik, Värmland, Sweden, and grew up on a farm in a rural setting. Lagerlöf's childhood experiences in the beautiful Swedish countryside greatly influenced her writing.

She attended the Royal Seminary for Girls in Stockholm and later became a teacher. However, she had a strong passion for writing and published her debut novel, "Gösta Berling's Saga," in 1891. The novel gained significant acclaim and established Lagerlöf as a prominent literary figure in Sweden.

Throughout her career, Selma Lagerlöf wrote numerous novels, short stories, and essays. She was known for her poetic and lyrical writing style, which often incorporated elements of folklore and fairy tales. Her works often explored themes of human compassion, the struggles of the poor and marginalized, and the beauty of nature.

One of her most famous works, "The Wonderful Adventures of Nils" (also known as "The Wonderful Journey of Nils Holgersson through Sweden"), is a beloved children's book that has been translated into many languages and continues to captivate readers worldwide.

Selma Lagerlöf's writing was deeply rooted in her love for Sweden's landscape and its people. Her works often conveyed moral lessons and reflections on the human condition. She remained an influential figure in Swedish literature and social activism throughout her life.

Lagerlöf's literary contributions and her pioneering role as a female writer have left a lasting impact on Swedish literature and beyond. Her stories continue to enchant readers with their timeless themes and rich storytelling, making her a cherished and celebrated author in the literary world.

Summary

Once upon a time, there was a poor old man who roamed from place to place, selling small rattraps. He lived a lonely and unhappy life, feeling like a rat caught in life's trap.

One day, he reached a lonely cottage where he met a kind woman. She treated him with warmth and offered him some food and shelter. The man was touched by her kindness and felt a flicker of hope.

During his stay, the old man noticed a small sum of money on the table, tempting him to steal it. Overcome by temptation, he took the money and left the cottage while feeling guilty for his actions.

However, fate had other plans for him. He found himself entangled in a web of unexpected events. People mistook him for a former thief and treated him poorly. Feeling lost and rejected, he realized the money brought him more troubles than joy.

In his despair, he met a young girl named Edla, who showed him genuine kindness and understanding. She saw the goodness in him and treated him like a friend, not a criminal.

Feeling remorseful for his actions, the old man decided to return the stolen money to the cottage. He confessed his mistake to Edla's father, who was the owner of the cottage. Surprisingly, the man forgave him and appreciated his honesty.

Edla's compassion touched the old man's heart, and he realized that genuine kindness is more valuable than material possessions. He felt like a rat escaping from the trap of his own wrongdoings.

In the end, the old man's heart was transformed. He abandoned his old ways and chose a new path, inspired by Edla's goodness. From that day forward, he sought a life of honesty and compassion, no longer feeling like a rat trapped in the world but free to be the best version of himself. And so, his life changed for the better, all thanks to the kindness of a young girl named Edla.

Analysis

"The Rattrap" by Selma Lagerlof is a short story that explores themes of kindness, forgiveness, and the power of human connections.

 

Plot Summary: The story follows a poor old man who travels around selling rattraps (small traps used to catch rats). He feels trapped in a difficult and lonely life. One day, he receives kindness from a woman in a cottage, and feeling tempted, he steals some money from her. As he continues his journey, people treat him poorly, assuming he is a thief. However, he meets a young girl named Edla, who treats him with genuine kindness and compassion. The old man feels remorseful and decides to return the stolen money. Edla's father forgives him, and this act of forgiveness changes the old man's heart. He decides to change his ways, inspired by Edla's goodness.

 

Themes:

Kindness: The story highlights the transformative power of kindness. Edla's genuine compassion towards the old man helps him see the value of goodness and changes his perspective on life.

Forgiveness: The theme of forgiveness is significant in the story. Edla's father's forgiveness allows the old man to see that he can change his ways and be a better person.

Human Connections: The story emphasizes the importance of human connections in one's life. The old man's encounter with Edla and her family leads to a profound change in his behavior.

 

Characterization:

The Old Man: The protagonist of the story, he represents a person who has grown cynical due to life's hardships. However, Edla's kindness and forgiveness give him a chance to change and find redemption.

Edla: She is a symbol of empathy and compassion. Her ability to see the good in the old man and treat him with kindness leads to a positive transformation in his life.

Edla's Father: He plays a crucial role in the story by forgiving the old man and giving him a second chance. His forgiveness highlights the power of understanding and compassion.

 

Moral Lesson: "The Rattrap" teaches us that small acts of kindness and forgiveness can have a profound impact on someone's life. It reminds us that people can change for the better when shown empathy and understanding.

 

Writing Style: Selma Lagerlof's writing style is simple and accessible, making the story relatable and easy to understand for readers of all ages.

 

In conclusion, "The Rattrap" is a heartwarming story that shows the importance of kindness, forgiveness, and human connections in bringing about positive changes in people's lives. It encourages readers to be compassionate towards others and to see the potential for goodness in everyone, no matter their past actions.

Rising Action

The rising action in "The Rattrap" includes the events that lead to the story's climax and build tension and interest. Here are the rising action points:

 

The Poor Old Man's Travels: The story begins with the introduction of the poor old man who travels from place to place, trying to make a living by selling rattraps. His lonely and destitute life sets the initial tone of the story.

 

Kindness at the Cottage: The old man reaches a lonely cottage and meets a kind woman who treats him warmly, offering him food and shelter. This unexpected act of kindness gives him hope and temporarily changes his outlook on life.

 

The Theft: During his stay at the cottage, the old man notices a small sum of money on the table. Temptation overcomes him, and he steals the money before leaving. This action sets the conflict in motion and creates a moral dilemma for the protagonist.

 

Mistaken Identity: As the old man continues his journey, he faces the consequences of his actions. People assume he is a thief and treat him poorly, reinforcing his feelings of being trapped in a cycle of negativity.

 

Meeting Edla: The old man meets a young girl named Edla, who shows him genuine kindness and treats him like a friend, rather than judging him for his appearance or reputation. Her warmth and compassion start to change the old man's perspective on life.

 

The Return to the Cottage: Feeling guilty and remorseful for his theft, the old man decides to return the stolen money to the cottage. This decision marks a turning point in the story as he starts to take responsibility for his actions.

 

These events make up the rising action of "The Rattrap" and lead to the pivotal moment of the story, the climax, where the old man confronts Edla's father and confesses his past mistakes.

Falling Action

The falling action in "The Rattrap" follows the climax and reveals the consequences of the protagonist's actions and the resolution of the conflicts that were set in motion during the rising action. Here are the falling action points:

 

The Confession: The old man returns to the cottage to confess his wrongdoing to Edla's father, explaining that he had stolen the money during his previous visit. He expects to be punished for his actions, but instead, he is met with unexpected forgiveness and understanding.

 

Edla's Father's Response: Instead of condemning the old man for his theft, Edla's father surprises him with his compassionate response. He forgives the old man and explains that the money was placed on the table intentionally as a rattrap, to test people's honesty. This act of forgiveness and kindness touches the old man deeply.

 

The Transformation: Edla's father's forgiveness has a profound impact on the old man. He is deeply moved by this act of kindness and begins to question his negative views of the world. He starts to see the potential for goodness and kindness in people.

 

Edla's Influence: Edla's influence on the old man becomes evident as he decides to change his ways. He expresses his desire to live an honest and honorable life, no longer feeling like a rat caught in life's trap.

 

The Resolution: The story concludes with the old man's decision to start anew. He leaves the cottage, inspired by Edla's compassion, and sets out on a path of transformation and redemption.

 

The falling action brings closure to the conflicts introduced in the rising action and shows how the acts of forgiveness and kindness have the power to change a person's life for the better. It emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding in bringing about positive change in individuals and society.

Climax

The climax of "The Rattrap" occurs when the old man confesses his past wrongdoing and theft to Edla's father at the cottage. This is the most intense and pivotal moment in the story, where the tension reaches its peak and the main conflict is brought to a head.

During his stay at the cottage, the old man realizes the value of Edla's kindness and compassion. Feeling guilty for his previous actions, he decides to come clean and take responsibility for his past mistakes. He returns to the cottage and admits to Edla's father that he had stolen the money during his earlier visit.

The climax is significant because it is the moment of truth for the old man. He knows that by confessing, he risks facing punishment and rejection, which would reinforce his belief that the world is a cruel and unforgiving place. However, he also hopes that by being honest, he might find redemption and acceptance.

The resolution to the climax is unexpected. Instead of condemning the old man, Edla's father forgives him and shows understanding. He explains that the money was meant as a rattrap to test people's honesty, and the old man's confession has proved his willingness to change.

This act of forgiveness and understanding from Edla's father is a turning point in the old man's life. It not only relieves him of the burden of guilt but also opens his heart to the possibility of a better and more honest future. The climax marks a moment of transformation and redemption for the old man, as he realizes the power of kindness and forgiveness in breaking free from the metaphorical rattrap that had trapped his spirit.

Major Characters

 

The Poor Old Man

The Poor Old Man is the protagonist of "The Rattrap." He is a destitute and lonely individual who wanders from place to place, selling rattraps to make a living. He appears to be weathered by life's hardships, and his experiences have left him feeling trapped, much like the rats he catches in his traps. He carries a sense of cynicism, believing that the world is a cruel and unforgiving place.

Despite his tough exterior, the old man shows vulnerability, especially when he encounters acts of kindness. He longs for warmth and understanding, something he rarely experiences in his solitary life. When he receives genuine compassion from the kind woman at the cottage and later from Edla, he begins to question his negative views of the world.

The old man's character undergoes significant development throughout the story. The kindness and forgiveness he receives from Edla's father lead to a change of heart. He becomes remorseful for his past actions, particularly for stealing money from the cottage. This guilt-driven transformation allows him to see the potential for goodness within himself, and he decides to change his ways and seek a more honest and honorable path in life.

Ultimately, the Poor Old Man symbolizes the power of compassion and the capacity for redemption, showing that even those who feel trapped in life's rattrap can find freedom and renewal through acts of kindness and forgiveness.

Edla

Edla is a significant character in "The Rattrap." She is a young and compassionate girl who plays a pivotal role in the story. She is the daughter of the woman living in the lonely cottage where the Poor Old Man seeks shelter. Unlike others who judge the old man based on appearances and assumptions, Edla treats him with genuine kindness and empathy.

Her character is marked by her inherent goodness and understanding nature. She sees beyond the old man's ragged exterior and recognizes the potential for goodness within him. Edla's ability to show compassion towards the old man despite his reputation as a wandering rattrap seller highlights her generous and non-judgmental personality.

Edla's kindness has a profound impact on the old man. Her warmth and friendship begin to thaw his cynical heart, offering him a glimmer of hope that there is goodness in the world. Her actions contrast sharply with society's treatment of him as a presumed thief and outcast.

She is a symbol of empathy and forgiveness, embodying the story's themes of the transformative power of kindness. Edla's influence on the old man ultimately leads him to confess his past mistakes and seek redemption.

Through her character, "The Rattrap" teaches the importance of seeing the best in others and extending compassion to those who are often marginalized by society. Edla's genuine kindness demonstrates that a simple act of understanding can change a person's life and help them break free from the rattrap of negativity and despair.

Edla's father

Edla's father is an important character in "The Rattrap," and he plays a significant role in the story's development. He is a kind and wise man who lives with his daughter in a secluded cottage. He is a symbol of compassion and understanding, as evidenced by his treatment of the Poor Old Man who comes seeking shelter.

He is portrayed as a thoughtful and perceptive individual, capable of seeing beyond appearances and making fair judgments. When the Poor Old Man confesses to stealing money from the cottage, Edla's father does not react with anger or hostility. Instead, he surprises the old man with his forgiving and understanding response.

Edla's father reveals that the money was placed on the table intentionally, acting as a rattrap to test people's honesty. This act of testing the old man's integrity, rather than seeking revenge, demonstrates his belief in the possibility of redemption and change.

His forgiveness is a turning point for the Poor Old Man, as it leads to the old man's transformation and desire to change his ways. Edla's father's actions highlight the power of forgiveness and the ability to see the goodness in others, even when they have made mistakes.

Overall, Edla's father serves as a source of wisdom and compassion in the story, reinforcing the themes of kindness, forgiveness, and the potential for positive change. His character contributes to the story's message that acts of empathy and understanding can break down the barriers that trap individuals in negative patterns of behavior.