CBSE Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 4: The Rattrap NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 12 PDF

This section provides detailed NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 4, 'The Rattrap'. It delves into the story of a peddler who views the world as a giant rattrap. The solutions explain the peddler's mindset, his encounters with various characters like the lonely crofter, and the significance of his interactions. Key themes explored include human loneliness, the need for companionship, and the transformative power of kindness and understanding. The solutions clarify difficult expressions and answer critical thinking questions, helping students grasp the nuances of the narrative and prepare effectively for their exams.

Home

Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 12
Subject	Flamingo
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	4. The Rattrap

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 4, 'The Rattrap', focuses on the story of a peddler who sees the world as a large trap. This chapter's solutions cover the peddler's perspective, his interactions with the hospitable crofter, and the underlying themes of loneliness and compassion. The exercises help students understand the vocabulary and the deeper meanings within the narrative.

Learning outcomes

Understand the meaning of idiomatic expressions used in the text.
Analyze the peddler's perspective on the world as a rattrap.
Explain the reasons behind the crofter's hospitality and talkativeness.
Evaluate the impact of kindness on the peddler's character.
Identify the themes of loneliness and companionship in the story.

Topics covered

Paper topics

The Rattrap story analysis
Peddler's perspective
The world as a rattrap metaphor
Character analysis: The Peddler
Character analysis: The Crofter
Themes of loneliness and companionship
Understanding idiomatic expressions
Hospitality and its impact
Moral transformation
Class 12 English Flamingo

Important topics

The world as a rattrap metaphor
Peddler's character development
Crofter's loneliness and its effect
Significance of kindness
Analysis of key expressions

PDF preview

Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.

Loading document …

Page of

Loading page …

Questions and Solutions

Q1: Notice these expressions in the text. Infer their meanings from the context.

Notice these expressions in the text. Infer their meanings from the context.

Solution: Here are the meanings of the expressions as inferred from the context of 'The Rattrap':

keep body and soul together: This phrase means to manage to survive or stay alive, often under difficult circumstances, by earning just enough to meet basic needs.

hunger gleamed in his eyes: This describes a look in someone's eyes that clearly shows they are extremely hungry.

plods along the road: This suggests walking slowly and with effort, as if tired or burdened, moving steadily along the path.

unwonted joy: This refers to a feeling of happiness or pleasure that is unusual or unexpected for the person experiencing it.

impenetrable prison: This describes a place of confinement that is impossible to escape from, like a jail that cannot be broken out of.

nodded a haughty consent: This means to agree to something in a way that shows arrogance or disdain, implying the agreement is given reluctantly or without much thought.

eased his way: This indicates moving smoothly, carefully, and without difficulty, often through a crowded or confined space.

$\blacksquare$ fallen into a line of thought: This means to start thinking about a particular subject or idea, often in a continuous or logical sequence.

things have gone downhill: This idiom means that a situation has deteriorated, become worse, or declined in quality or status.

Q1: From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?

From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?

Solution: The peddler conceived the idea of the world being a rattrap during one of his routine walks. As he was trudging along, his mind wandered to the topic of rattraps, and he began to think that the entire world operated like one, trapping people with its various lures and comforts.

Q2: Why was he amused by this idea?

Why was he amused by this idea?

Solution: The peddler found the idea of the world being a giant rattrap amusing because he had personally experienced the world's harshness and lack of kindness towards him. This negative experience led him to develop a cynical view, and he took pleasure in thinking ill of the world by comparing it to a trap.

Q3: Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter?

Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter?

Solution: No, the peddler did not anticipate receiving such warm hospitality from the crofter. His past experiences had conditioned him to expect rejection and unfriendly treatment, often encountering 'sour' faces when he sought shelter or food.

Q4: Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?

Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?

Solution: The crofter was exceptionally talkative and friendly because he was an elderly, lonely man living by himself in a small cottage. He had no wife or children and deeply missed companionship. When the peddler arrived, the crofter saw an opportunity to break the monotony of his solitude and found great pleasure in having someone to converse with.

Q5: Why did he show the thirty kroner to the peddler?

Why did he show the thirty kroner to the peddler?

Solution: The crofter, being a simple and trusting soul who craved company, wanted to share his happiness and pride in having earned thirty kronor. He showed the money to the peddler partly out of a desire to connect and partly because he suspected the peddler might not fully believe his story about his earnings. This act was an expression of his openness and desire for social interaction.

Common mistakes

Misinterpreting idiomatic phrases without considering the context.
Overlooking the psychological reasons for the peddler's cynical view of the world.
Failing to connect the crofter's loneliness to his actions.
Underestimating the significance of small acts of kindness.

Revision tips

Pay close attention to the 'Think as you read' questions to understand character motivations.
Create a list of unfamiliar expressions and their meanings as provided in the solutions.
Discuss the peddler's transformation with classmates to solidify understanding.
Summarize the key events and their significance after reviewing the solutions.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What did the peddler compare the world to?

Q2. Why was the peddler amused by his idea of the world being a rattrap?

Q3. What was the crofter's primary reason for being so talkative and friendly?

Q4. How did the peddler usually get treated when he asked for shelter?

Q5. What did the crofter show the peddler to prove his earnings?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of 'The Rattrap' chapter?

The main themes of 'The Rattrap' are human loneliness, the need for companionship, and the transformative power of kindness and understanding, as illustrated by the peddler's encounter with the crofter.

Why did the peddler think of the world as a rattrap?

The peddler developed this idea because he felt the world had always been unkind to him. He saw worldly temptations and comforts as bait that lured people into a trap, much like bait in a real rattrap.

How did the crofter's hospitality affect the peddler?

The crofter's unexpected warmth, trust, and companionship were a stark contrast to the peddler's usual experiences. This genuine kindness deeply impacted the peddler, planting seeds of change within him.

What does 'keep body and soul together' mean in the context of the story?

In the story, 'keep body and soul together' means to manage to survive, often by any means necessary, highlighting the peddler's struggle for basic existence.

What is the significance of the thirty kronor in the story?

The thirty kronor represent the crofter's hard-earned savings and his trust. The peddler's theft of this money is a critical point, and his subsequent return of it signifies his moral transformation.

How can these NCERT Solutions help Class 12 students?

These solutions provide clear explanations of the story's plot, characters, themes, and vocabulary, helping students understand the text deeply and prepare effectively for their English exams.

Content reviewed by the NCERT Help team. Editorial Team and update policy

NCERT Solutions PDF PDF on NCERT Help. URL unchanged for search indexing.