Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 4 Summary: "The Rattrap"

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Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 4 Summary: "The Rattrap"

Author: Selma Lagerlöf

In Chapter 4 of Flamingo, titled "The Rattrap", Selma Lagerlöf presents a short story that explores themes of human kindness, the possibility of redemption, and the interplay between materialism and moral values. The story revolves around a peddler, his struggles with poverty, his temptation to steal, and an act of kindness that transforms his life.





Summary:

The protagonist of The Rattrap is a poor, wandering peddler who sells small goods like rags and leather items. He is described as a disheveled man, whose life has been reduced to living from hand to mouth. The peddler has a bleak and cynical view of the world, believing that all humans are selfish and motivated by greed. He compares life to a rattrap, where people are like rats lured into traps by material temptations, only to be caught in the end.

While traveling through the forest one cold evening, the peddler comes across a kind-hearted farmer who offers him shelter and food for the night. The farmer’s wife is also kind to him. As a token of gratitude for their hospitality, the peddler shares a story of how he was once tempted by the wealth and luxuries of a rich man, and how he ended up in prison because of his greed. This story reflects the peddler’s own sense of guilt and failure, and the trap of material desires that he warns others about.



Later, the peddler receives an offer that he cannot refuse: the farmer’s wife gives him a warm bed for the night, and the next day, the farmer offers him more money as a payment for his labor. The peddler hesitates at first but eventually accepts. However, the next day, he faces a life-changing decision. He considers stealing a valuable item from the family and finally gives into his temptation.

In the final twist of the story, the peddler is visited by the rattrap king. The king provides him with a generous amount of money and a new lease on life. With his new wealth, the peddler reflects on his mistakes and ultimately learns how not to succumb to temptation or corruption, while also realizing that there are people who can help him when he’s in need

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