NCERT Class 12 English Flamingo: Chapter 11 — The Rattrap
This chapter from NCERT's Flamingo textbook for Class 12 English introduces "The Rattrap" by Selma Lagerlöf. The story is set in Sweden and explores the theme that essential goodness in a human can be awakened through understanding and love. The protagonist is a poor peddler who sells small rattraps made from wire. His life is a struggle, forcing him to resort to begging and petty theft to survive. He views the world as a giant rattrap, offering temptations like riches and comfort, which ultimately ensnare people. The narrative highlights his encounter with an old, lonely crofter who generously offers him shelter, food, and even shares his earnings. This act of kindness and understanding contrasts with the usual indifference the peddler faces, suggesting the potential for awakening goodness. The chapter delves into themes of poverty, human nature, and the impact of compassion.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Flamingo |
| Chapter | Chapter 11 — The Rattrap |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 4 minutes |
| Word count | 774 |
Learning outcomes
- Analyze the theme of human goodness and its potential for awakening.
- Understand the symbolism of the rattrap and its relation to the world.
- Evaluate the impact of kindness and compassion on an individual's life.
- Identify the socio-economic conditions depicted in the story.
- Appreciate Selma Lagerlöf's narrative style and universal themes.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| keep body and soul together | to manage to survive, especially with very little money |
| hunger gleamed in his eyes | his eyes showed signs of extreme hunger |
| plods along the road | walks slowly and with heavy steps |
| unwonted joy | unusual or uncommon happiness |
| impenetrable prison | a prison that cannot be entered or escaped from |
| nodded a haughty consent | agreed in a proud or arrogant way |
| eased his way | moved smoothly and without difficulty |
| fallen into a line of thought | started thinking about something |
| things have gone downhill | become worse or less successful |
| vagabond | a person who wanders from place to place without a home or job |
| petty thievery | the act of stealing small, unimportant things |
| crofter | a tenant farmer who cultivates a small holding, especially in Scotland or Ireland |
The complete chapter text is read in the official NCERT PDF viewer below (streamed from ncert.nic.in). This page provides NCERT Help study material — summary, vocabulary, practice questions, and FAQs — not a full reproduction of the textbook.
Read chapter online
This PDF is loaded from the official NCERT website (ncert.nic.in). Use the page buttons below to read — download is disabled on NCERT Help.
Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.
Practice questions
- What did the peddler sell? Answer: The peddler sold small rattraps made of wire.
- How did the peddler make a living? Answer: He made rattraps himself and also resorted to begging and petty thievery to keep body and soul together.
- What idea struck the peddler one day? Answer: He was struck by the idea that the whole world was nothing but a big rattrap, setting baits for people.
- Who did the peddler meet one dark evening? Answer: He met an old man, a crofter without wife or child, who lived alone in a cottage.
- What did the old man share with the peddler? Answer: The old man shared his porridge, tobacco, and even showed him three ten-kronor bills he had earned from his cow.
Practice MCQs
Q1. What was the profession of the protagonist in 'The Rattrap'?
Explanation: The story explicitly states that the man went around selling small rattraps of wire.
Q2. According to the peddler's idea, what is the world like?
Explanation: The peddler had the idea that the whole world was nothing but a big rattrap, designed to ensnare people.
Q3. What did the peddler make his rattraps from?
Explanation: The text mentions that he made small rattraps of wire from material he got by begging.
Q4. Why did the peddler have to resort to begging and petty thievery?
Explanation: The text states that the business was not especially profitable, so he had to resort to begging and petty thievery to keep body and soul together.
Q5. Who was the owner of the cottage the peddler visited?
Explanation: The owner of the cottage is described as an old man without wife or child, who was happy to have company.
Q6. What was the old man's past profession?
Explanation: The old man informed the guest that in his days of prosperity, he had been a crofter at Ramsjo Ironworks and had worked on the land.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the author of 'The Rattrap'?
The author of 'The Rattrap' is Selma Lagerlöf, a Swedish writer.
What is the central theme of 'The Rattrap'?
The central theme is that the essential goodness in a human being can be awakened through understanding and love.
What did the peddler think the world was like?
The peddler thought the whole world was nothing but a big rattrap, offering baits like riches and joys to ensnare people.
What did the old crofter do for the peddler?
The old crofter offered the peddler shelter, supper, tobacco, and even showed him his earnings of thirty kronor.
What material did the peddler use to make rattraps?
He made rattraps from wire.
What was the peddler's financial situation?
He was very poor, his clothes were in rags, and he had to beg and steal to survive.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 12 English — Flamingo — Chapter 11 — The Rattrap. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.