Do you think the title, ‘The Rattrap’ is appropriate? Give examples from the text in support of your view.

The writer Selma Langerlof has given an appropriate and logical title to this story. The story starts with the selling of rattraps by a peddler and it ends with the same rattrap. The peddler offers a rattrap to the ironmaster's daughter Edla Willmansson and turns out to be a changed fellow. Accordingly the whole world is nothing but a big rattrap. All riches, joys, food and shelter are just baits. The moment anyone touches the bait, the rattrap closes in one him. Then everything comes to an end. In this story under reference a peddler while selling his rattraps requests for a right shelter at some crofter's house. He offers his food and lodging. But in the morning he steals his thirty kroners and walks by the side of the road. For fear of being caughts he starts walking in the forest. Darkness spreads its wings and he is tired to death. He gathers some strength and courage. He drags himself to the ironmill. By chance the iron master visits and mistakes him for his old comrade. He invites him to spend the Christmas but he refuses his invitation.

The ironmaster sends his daughter who brings the peddler to her manor house. The peddler thinks, that he will be caught there.

There the peddler is given a bath. In his new clothes, the ironmaster realises that the tramp is not his old acquintance. So he becomes angry and orders to go out immediately. But the young daughter helps the peddler to enjoy a day with them. He is properly served. But at the church they heard that a man selling the rattraps has robbed an old crofter. They become doubtful. When they return, it is informed by the valet that the peddler has left with a package. Edla opens it and finds a letter and a small rattrap with thirty kroners. The letter states that the rattrap was a Christmas present from a rat. Thus the title is quite justified and appropriate.