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The Rattrap Summary – CBSE Class 12 English Flamingo

The Rattrap

Chapter 4 of the CBSE Class 12 English Textbook – Flamingo includes a prose titled “The Rattrap.” The story explores the idea that humans have an innate goodness within them. It shows how treating people’s problems with kindness and understanding can help restore their faith in humanity. The protagonist is a vendor who sells rattraps. He believes the world is like a big trap where humans are caught like rats.
Here, we provide a brief summary of the prose- The Rattrap. 

CBSE Class 12 English The Rattrap Summary

“The Rattrap,” written by Selma Lagerlöf, is set in the iron mines of Sweden. It follows a rattrap seller who struggles to make a living by begging or stealing materials to create rattraps. His tough life fills him with negativity, leading him to see the world as a giant rattrap. He believes that nature’s beauty and human needs like riches, clothes, and food are bait to trap people. This idea becomes a habit, and he daydreams about it in his spare time.

One evening, while selling rattraps, the vendor saw a small cottage by the roadside. He knocked on the door to ask for shelter for the night, expecting to be mistreated as usual. However, the owner, an old man living alone, welcomed him warmly. The old man offered him food and shelter and enjoyed a cheerful conversation with him. He shared that he used to work in a mine but now depended on his cow for his livelihood. To prove his point, he showed the rattrap seller his savings of thirty kronor—three notes of ten kronor.

The next day, both men left the cottage together. However, the rattrap seller returned when the old man was away, stole the thirty kronor, and went on his way to another place.

The rattrap seller felt proud of himself for stealing the money. As he continued his journey, he entered a forest and soon felt lost, tired, and cold as night approached. He felt trapped and couldn’t find his way out. Just as he was about to give up, he heard thumping noises and discovered an iron mill that was still running. He went inside and found a master smith and his helper working at the furnace. The smith didn’t mind sheltering him for the night.

After some time, the owner of the mill, an ironmaster, noticed the rattrap seller and mistook him for an old friend from his regiment days. Seeing this as a chance to make more money, the rattrap seller decided to play along and pretended to be the ironmaster’s old friend.

The ironmaster invited the rattrap seller to stay at his house because it was the Christmas season, and he wanted some company. The rattrap seller felt overwhelmed and uncomfortable, so he refused the invitation. The ironmaster then sent his daughter to convince him. When she met the seller, she sensed that he had done something wrong, like stealing or escaping from jail. She assured him kindly that he could leave whenever he wanted; they just wanted him to stay until Christmas Eve. He agreed and went to the manor, where the hosts treated him with care and affection.

The next day at dinner, the ironmaster was shocked to realize that the man was not his old friend but a stranger. He threatened to call the sheriff. However, since it was Christmas Eve, he didn’t want to bother the sheriff. The rattrap seller then shared his thoughts about feeling trapped like a rat by the good hospitality of his host. As he prepared to leave, the daughter had a change of heart and wanted the rattrap seller to stay for Christmas, no matter what.

So, the rattrap seller stayed and spent Christmas with the ironmaster and his daughter at their manor. After dinner, when it was time for presents, the daughter told him that her father wanted to give him the coat he was wearing as a Christmas gift. She also said that he was welcome to spend the next Christmas with them if he wanted. The rattrap seller was touched by her kind words and didn’t reply.

The following day, the ironmaster accompanied his daughter to church. There, they learned that an old employee of the mill had been robbed by a man selling rattraps. When they returned home, they found that their guest was gone. He had left a present for the daughter—a rattrap and the thirty kronor he had stolen. He also left a note asking the daughter to return the stolen money to its owner. He explained that it was a Christmas gift from a rat who had been freed by their kind hospitality.

Conclusion of The Rattrap

In the conclusion of “The Rattrap,” the rattrap seller spends Christmas with the ironmaster and his daughter, deeply moved by their kindness. Despite initially deceiving them, he leaves a rattrap and the stolen money with a note, expressing gratitude for their generosity which helped him see a way out of his troubles.

We trust that this summary of the CBSE Class 12 English Flamingo Prose, “The Rattrap,” has provided you with a quick grasp of the chapter. Stay connected with GK Publications for the latest updates on CBSE and study materials. Explore sample papers and question papers from various years to enhance your preparation for the Board exams.

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