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By Selma Lagerlöf
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Selma Lagerlöf, (born Nov. 20, 1858, Mårbacka, Sweden—died March 16, 1940, Mårbacka), novelist who in 1909 became the first woman and also the first Swedish writer to win the Nobel Prize for Literature. Most of her stories are based on a universal theme runs through all of them a belief that the essential goodness in a human being can be awakened through understanding and love.
SETTING OF THE STORY
This story is set amidst the mines of Sweden rich in iron ore which figure large in the history of legends of that country.
1. From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?
The poor rattrap peddler struggled for existence. He could not make both ends meet so he had to resort to both begging and petty thievery. Despite this his condition was deplorable. Thinking of his miserable plight and his job as he plodded on, he was struck by the idea that the whole world about him was nothing but a big rattrap. It sets bait for people in the form of riches and joys, shelter and food, heat and clothing, just as the rattrap offered cheese and pork. The moment a person was tempted it closed and then everything came to an end.
2. Why was he amused by this idea?
The world had never been kind to him, so it gave him great joy to think negative of the world in this way. It became a treasured pastime for him to think of people he knew who had let themselves be caught in the dangerous trap, and of others who were still moving around the bait ready to be trapped.
3. Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter?
When the peddler reached the little grey cottage by the roadside, he knocked on the door to ask for shelter for the night. He was surprised because instead of the sour faces which ordinarily met him, this time the owner an old man was happy to get someone to talk to in his loneliness.
4. Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?
The crofter was an old man without wife or child. He was just happy to get someone to talk to, in his loneliness. So, he welcomed the peddler. The old man was generous both with his confidences and with his porridge and tobacco.
5. Why did he show the thirty kronor to the peddler?
The old man was having trust in the peddler. He was not suspicious about the stranger as normally people do with strangers. He told the peddler that because he was no longer able to work as a day labour, it was his cow that supported him. Since, it was strange and the peddler must have looked in disbelief, the old man showed him the thirty kronor that he had received as payment to prove his point.
6. Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?
No, the peddler did not respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter because half an hour later, he went up to the window, smashed a pane and got hold of the pouch with the thirty kronor. He took the money and thrust it into his own pocket and went away.
7. What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?
At first, the peddler was pleased with the money in his pocket he went inside the woods and the path twisted back and forth so strangely that he walked not knowing where the woods ends at. He the realized that he had been walking around in the same part of the forest. All at once he recalled his thoughts about the world and the rattrap. He, then felt that his own turn had come. He had been fooled by a bait of thirty kronor and had been caught in the rattrap.
8. Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?
The owner of Ramsjo iron mill came into the forge on one of his night rounds of inspection and saw the peddler. The iron master walked close up to him over very carefully and misunderstood him as one of his old friend Nils Olof, and invited him home.
9. Why did the peddler decline the invitation?
The peddler did not give out his identity because he thought that the ironmaster might give him a couple of kronors. But, to go along up to the manor house and be received as his friend did not please the peddler. He was guilty of stealing the thirty kronor. He felt going up to the manor house would be like throwing himself voluntarily into the lion’s den. He only wanted a chance to sleep in the forge and then sneak away quietly.
10. What made the peddler accept Edla Willmansson’s invitation?
When Edla Willmansson invited him, she looked at him compassionately with her heavy eyes. She also assured him that he would be allowed to leave just as freely as he came. She requested him to stay with them over Christmas Eve. She said this in such a friendly manner that the rattrap peddler felt reassured.
11. What doubts did Edla have about the peddler?
When Edla Willmansson looked compassionately at the peddler with her heavy eyes, she noticed that the man was afraid. She at once knew that he had either stolen something or else he had escaped from jail.
12. When did the ironmaster realize his mistake?
When the iron master saw the stranger after he was clean and well dressed, he realized his mistake. The valet had bathed him cut his hair and shaved him. He was wearing clothes that belonged to the ironmaster. The ironmaster looked and frowned as he realized that at the furnace in a dim light he might have made a mistake, but that now, when the stranger stood there in broad daylight it was impossible to mistake him for an old acquaintance.
13. What did the peddler say in his defense when it was clear that he was not the person the ironmaster had thought he was?
When the iron master realized his mistake, the stranger made no attempt to hide or pretend. But he said that it was not his fault as he had never pretended to be anything but a poor trader. He had pleaded and begged to be allowed to stay in the forge. But, no harm had been done. He could even now put on his rags again and go away.
14. Why did Edla still entertain the peddler even after she knew the truth about him?
Edla still entertained the peddler even after she knew the truth about him as she had felt so happy when she thought how homelike and Christmassy she was going to make things for the poor hungry wretch.
She said that the whole year long the peddler roamed without a single place where he was welcome.
Wherever he turned he was chased away. He was forever afraid of being arrested and cross-examined. So, also she said that it was their mistake and they ought not to chase away a human being whom they have invited home and had promised Christmas celebrations.
15. Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?
Edla gave a little cry of joy on seeing the gift as in a small rattrap, lay three wrinkled ten kronor notes. Her deed of kindness had helped the poor peddler atone for his sins. He did not want her to be embarrassed at Christmas season because of a thief. He said that the rattrap was a Christmas present from a rat who would have been caught in this world’s rattrap. He said that it was because that he was raised to captain’s stature he got the power to clear himself of his sins.
16. Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von Stahle?
The peddler signed himself as Captain Von Stahle because Edla had treated him as if he was a captain. He added, he was a rat who would have been caught in this world’s rattrap if he had not been raised to captain, because in that way he got the power to clear himself of his sins.
17. How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter, the ironmaster and his daughter?
The peddler did not respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter because half an hour later, he went up to the window, smashed a pane and got hold of the pouch with the thirty kronor. He took the money and thrust it into his own pocket and went away. At first, the peddler was pleased with the money in his pocket he went inside the woods and the path twisted back and forth so strangely that he walked not knowing where the woods ends at. He the realized that he had been walking around in the same part of the forest. All at once he recalled his thoughts about the world and the rattrap. He, then felt that his own turn had come. He had been fooled by a bait of thirty kronor and had been caught in the rattrap.
About the ironmaster and his daughter Edla’s kindness, he feels that they are part of the world which is nothing but a big rattrap. All the good things that it offered were nothing but cheese rind and bits of pork set out to drag a poor fellow into trouble. And if the sheriff (the word sheriff refers to a police man) locked him for this, then the iron master must remember that a day would come when he may want to get a big piece of pork but would get caught in the trap.
Thus, the peddler was convinced that any kindness shown to him was just a bait to trap him.
18. What are the instances in the story that show that the character of the ironmaster is different from that of his daughter in many ways?
Despite a close relationship, the character of the iron master is very different from that of his daughter. The ironmaster spoke to the peddler for some time but continued to mistake him for his friend Captain Von Stahle, whereas, his observant daughter who had never met his friend, within minutes she observed that either the peddler had stolen something or else he had escaped from jail.
When the iron master discovered that the peddler was not his friend, he at once wanted to hand him over to the sheriff but his daughter was more compassionate. She said that the peddler roamed without being welcomed anywhere. So, she wanted him to enjoy a day of peace with them, just once in the whole year. She also said that it was their mistake and they ought not to chase away a human being whom they had asked to come to their home for a Christmas day.
At church they learnt that the rattrap peddler had robbed the crofter. The ironmaster wondered what all he had stolen from their cupboard and blamed the daughter for letting him in but the daughter never once expressed fear. On the contrary, her trust and compassion helped in reforming the peddler.
19. The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to other’s behavior. Pick out instances of these surprises.
The story does have many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to other’s behavior.
The first was the crofter’s reaction to the peddler instead the sour faces which ordinarily met him, this old man, who was without a wife or child, was happy to get someone to talk to in his loneliness. He was very welcoming. But, the peddler despite the hospitality, stole his money.
The second was the iron master, who mistook the peddler to be his friend Captain Von Stahle, and tried to force him to his house. But he was quick to throw him out when he realized his mistake.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Selma Lagerlöf, (born Nov. 20, 1858, Mårbacka, Sweden—died March 16, 1940, Mårbacka), novelist who in 1909 became the first woman and also the first Swedish writer to win the Nobel Prize for Literature. Most of her stories are based on a universal theme runs through all of them a belief that the essential goodness in a human being can be awakened through understanding and love.
SETTING OF THE STORY
This story is set amidst the mines of Sweden rich in iron ore which figure large in the history of legends of that country.
1. From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?
The poor rattrap peddler struggled for existence. He could not make both ends meet so he had to resort to both begging and petty thievery. Despite this his condition was deplorable. Thinking of his miserable plight and his job as he plodded on, he was struck by the idea that the whole world about him was nothing but a big rattrap. It sets bait for people in the form of riches and joys, shelter and food, heat and clothing, just as the rattrap offered cheese and pork. The moment a person was tempted it closed and then everything came to an end.
2. Why was he amused by this idea?
The world had never been kind to him, so it gave him great joy to think negative of the world in this way. It became a treasured pastime for him to think of people he knew who had let themselves be caught in the dangerous trap, and of others who were still moving around the bait ready to be trapped.
3. Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter?
When the peddler reached the little grey cottage by the roadside, he knocked on the door to ask for shelter for the night. He was surprised because instead of the sour faces which ordinarily met him, this time the owner an old man was happy to get someone to talk to in his loneliness.
4. Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?
The crofter was an old man without wife or child. He was just happy to get someone to talk to, in his loneliness. So, he welcomed the peddler. The old man was generous both with his confidences and with his porridge and tobacco.
5. Why did he show the thirty kronor to the peddler?
The old man was having trust in the peddler. He was not suspicious about the stranger as normally people do with strangers. He told the peddler that because he was no longer able to work as a day labour, it was his cow that supported him. Since, it was strange and the peddler must have looked in disbelief, the old man showed him the thirty kronor that he had received as payment to prove his point.
6. Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?
No, the peddler did not respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter because half an hour later, he went up to the window, smashed a pane and got hold of the pouch with the thirty kronor. He took the money and thrust it into his own pocket and went away.
7. What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?
At first, the peddler was pleased with the money in his pocket he went inside the woods and the path twisted back and forth so strangely that he walked not knowing where the woods ends at. He the realized that he had been walking around in the same part of the forest. All at once he recalled his thoughts about the world and the rattrap. He, then felt that his own turn had come. He had been fooled by a bait of thirty kronor and had been caught in the rattrap.
8. Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?
The owner of Ramsjo iron mill came into the forge on one of his night rounds of inspection and saw the peddler. The iron master walked close up to him over very carefully and misunderstood him as one of his old friend Nils Olof, and invited him home.
9. Why did the peddler decline the invitation?
The peddler did not give out his identity because he thought that the ironmaster might give him a couple of kronors. But, to go along up to the manor house and be received as his friend did not please the peddler. He was guilty of stealing the thirty kronor. He felt going up to the manor house would be like throwing himself voluntarily into the lion’s den. He only wanted a chance to sleep in the forge and then sneak away quietly.
10. What made the peddler accept Edla Willmansson’s invitation?
When Edla Willmansson invited him, she looked at him compassionately with her heavy eyes. She also assured him that he would be allowed to leave just as freely as he came. She requested him to stay with them over Christmas Eve. She said this in such a friendly manner that the rattrap peddler felt reassured.
11. What doubts did Edla have about the peddler?
When Edla Willmansson looked compassionately at the peddler with her heavy eyes, she noticed that the man was afraid. She at once knew that he had either stolen something or else he had escaped from jail.
12. When did the ironmaster realize his mistake?
When the iron master saw the stranger after he was clean and well dressed, he realized his mistake. The valet had bathed him cut his hair and shaved him. He was wearing clothes that belonged to the ironmaster. The ironmaster looked and frowned as he realized that at the furnace in a dim light he might have made a mistake, but that now, when the stranger stood there in broad daylight it was impossible to mistake him for an old acquaintance.
13. What did the peddler say in his defense when it was clear that he was not the person the ironmaster had thought he was?
When the iron master realized his mistake, the stranger made no attempt to hide or pretend. But he said that it was not his fault as he had never pretended to be anything but a poor trader. He had pleaded and begged to be allowed to stay in the forge. But, no harm had been done. He could even now put on his rags again and go away.
14. Why did Edla still entertain the peddler even after she knew the truth about him?
Edla still entertained the peddler even after she knew the truth about him as she had felt so happy when she thought how homelike and Christmassy she was going to make things for the poor hungry wretch.
She said that the whole year long the peddler roamed without a single place where he was welcome.
Wherever he turned he was chased away. He was forever afraid of being arrested and cross-examined. So, also she said that it was their mistake and they ought not to chase away a human being whom they have invited home and had promised Christmas celebrations.
15. Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?
Edla gave a little cry of joy on seeing the gift as in a small rattrap, lay three wrinkled ten kronor notes. Her deed of kindness had helped the poor peddler atone for his sins. He did not want her to be embarrassed at Christmas season because of a thief. He said that the rattrap was a Christmas present from a rat who would have been caught in this world’s rattrap. He said that it was because that he was raised to captain’s stature he got the power to clear himself of his sins.
16. Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von Stahle?
The peddler signed himself as Captain Von Stahle because Edla had treated him as if he was a captain. He added, he was a rat who would have been caught in this world’s rattrap if he had not been raised to captain, because in that way he got the power to clear himself of his sins.
17. How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter, the ironmaster and his daughter?
The peddler did not respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter because half an hour later, he went up to the window, smashed a pane and got hold of the pouch with the thirty kronor. He took the money and thrust it into his own pocket and went away. At first, the peddler was pleased with the money in his pocket he went inside the woods and the path twisted back and forth so strangely that he walked not knowing where the woods ends at. He the realized that he had been walking around in the same part of the forest. All at once he recalled his thoughts about the world and the rattrap. He, then felt that his own turn had come. He had been fooled by a bait of thirty kronor and had been caught in the rattrap.
About the ironmaster and his daughter Edla’s kindness, he feels that they are part of the world which is nothing but a big rattrap. All the good things that it offered were nothing but cheese rind and bits of pork set out to drag a poor fellow into trouble. And if the sheriff (the word sheriff refers to a police man) locked him for this, then the iron master must remember that a day would come when he may want to get a big piece of pork but would get caught in the trap.
Thus, the peddler was convinced that any kindness shown to him was just a bait to trap him.
18. What are the instances in the story that show that the character of the ironmaster is different from that of his daughter in many ways?
Despite a close relationship, the character of the iron master is very different from that of his daughter. The ironmaster spoke to the peddler for some time but continued to mistake him for his friend Captain Von Stahle, whereas, his observant daughter who had never met his friend, within minutes she observed that either the peddler had stolen something or else he had escaped from jail.
When the iron master discovered that the peddler was not his friend, he at once wanted to hand him over to the sheriff but his daughter was more compassionate. She said that the peddler roamed without being welcomed anywhere. So, she wanted him to enjoy a day of peace with them, just once in the whole year. She also said that it was their mistake and they ought not to chase away a human being whom they had asked to come to their home for a Christmas day.
At church they learnt that the rattrap peddler had robbed the crofter. The ironmaster wondered what all he had stolen from their cupboard and blamed the daughter for letting him in but the daughter never once expressed fear. On the contrary, her trust and compassion helped in reforming the peddler.
19. The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to other’s behavior. Pick out instances of these surprises.
The story does have many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to other’s behavior.
The first was the crofter’s reaction to the peddler instead the sour faces which ordinarily met him, this old man, who was without a wife or child, was happy to get someone to talk to in his loneliness. He was very welcoming. But, the peddler despite the hospitality, stole his money.
The second was the iron master, who mistook the peddler to be his friend Captain Von Stahle, and tried to force him to his house. But he was quick to throw him out when he realized his mistake.
The third was the arrival of the ironmaster’s daughter, who realized that there was something strange with the peddler but took him in. Even when the father and daughter realized that he was not the person that they had thought him to be. But she supported the peddler and said that she wanted the peddler to enjoy a day of peace with them, just once in the whole year.
The peddler because of the trust reposed in him, changed in character. Not only did her reform but returned the money stolen from the crofter’s pouch.
20. What made him the peddler finally change his ways?
Due to the trust and compassion shown by the ironmaster’s daughter, Edla Willmansson, the peddler became a changed man. This was evident from the package of a small rattrap with three wrinkled ten kronor notes that the peddler left for her. Her deed of kindness had helped the poor peddler atone for his sins. He did not want her to be embarrassed at Christmas season because of a thief. He said that the rattrap was a Christmas present from a rat who would have been caught in this world’s rattrap. He said that it was because he was raised to captain’s stature he got the power to clear himself of his sins. She helped him get the strength to reform himself.
21. How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human predicament?
The poor rattrap peddler struggled for existence. He could not make both ends meet so he had to resort to both begging and petty thievery. Despite this his condition was deplorable. Thinking of his miserable plight and his job as he plodded on, he was struck by the idea that the whole world about him was nothing but a big rattrap. It sets bait for people in the form of riches and joys, shelter and food, heat and clothing, just as the rattrap offered cheese and pork. The moment a person was tempted it closed and then everything came to an end.
At first, the peddler was pleased with the money he stole from the crofter and he went inside the woods and the path twisted back and forth so strangely that he walked not knowing where the woods ends at. He the realized that he had been walking around in the same part of the forest. All at once he recalled his thoughts about the world and the rattrap. He, then felt that his own turn had come. He had been fooled by a bait of thirty kronor and had been caught in the rattrap.
The peddler also told the ironmaster that the whole world was nothing but a rattrap. All the good things that it offered were nothing but cheese rind and bits of pork set out to drag a poor fellow into trouble.
None escaped, one person falls into the trap one day and the other the next day.
In the end the peddler left the rattrap as a Christmas present from a rat who would have been caught in this world’s rattrap had he not been treated respectfully as captain. His treatment as a captain gave the power to transform himself.
The metaphor of the rattrap highlights the theory of crime and punishment. Crimes, such as theft are comparable to enticement by a bait and the subsequent imprisonment in a rattrap is comparable to the guilt and agony undergone by the peddler. However, expiation is possible and kindness from another can help the wrong doer to reform.
22. The peddler comes out as a person with a subtle sense of humor. How does this serve in lightening the seriousness of the theme of the story and also endear him to us?
The Peddler, with his subtle sense of humour equates the rattraps he makes to the world, which he believes is a huge rattrap, offering baits like comfort, food, shelter and material benefits. One day the rattrap traps us and there is no way out. The Peddler’s insistence on staying in the warm forge and refusal to go with the ironmaster evokes pity. We know that somewhere he is feeling guilty of stealing the kronor.
When the ironmaster realizes his mistake, the tramp’s ‘sermon’ about the world’ being a rattrap, temptations and desires, is really humorous, as it seems out of context. The ironmaster’s daughter’s kind and sympathetic attitude changes him completely. Even she realizes his human worth and treats him with dignity. The tramp’s final act of leaving a token of love, the rattrap and a letter, signing off as the captain is also humorous.
Without the tramp’s philosophizing element of the rattrap and his treatment of it in a humorous way, the story would have been seeped in seriousness
23. Rat trap focuses on human loneliness and a need to bind with someone. Discuss.
The Rattrap deals with the issues of human loneliness and the need to bond with others. Not only the peddler but also other characters like the crofter, the ironmaster and Edla emphasise this fact. The peddler's conscience had left him because he had been lonely in his predicament, for a long time.
There are at least three characters in the story who suffer from loneliness and express the need to bond with others. They represent three strata of the human society as well. The peddler with the rattraps, the old crofter and the ironmaster all suffer from loneliness. The peddler is called a tramp, a vagabond and stranger at various points of the story. He moves wearily from one place to the other. He is lost in his own thoughts. He seeks shelter for night and people look at him with sour faces. Even the blacksmiths look haughtily at him and nod consent. The old crofter suffers from loneliness as he has neither wife nor child with him. Hence, he feels happy when he gets the peddler to talk to in his loneliness.
The ironmaster is also lonely in his manor house. His wife Elizabeth has died and his sons are abroad. There is no one at home except his oldest daughter and himself. His requests to Captain Von Stahle to accompany him show his need for human bonding. He admits frankly that they didn’t have any company for Christmas. The stranger turns down the request not because he is against bonding with others but because he fears being caught with stolen money.
The peddler because of the trust reposed in him, changed in character. Not only did her reform but returned the money stolen from the crofter’s pouch.
20. What made him the peddler finally change his ways?
Due to the trust and compassion shown by the ironmaster’s daughter, Edla Willmansson, the peddler became a changed man. This was evident from the package of a small rattrap with three wrinkled ten kronor notes that the peddler left for her. Her deed of kindness had helped the poor peddler atone for his sins. He did not want her to be embarrassed at Christmas season because of a thief. He said that the rattrap was a Christmas present from a rat who would have been caught in this world’s rattrap. He said that it was because he was raised to captain’s stature he got the power to clear himself of his sins. She helped him get the strength to reform himself.
21. How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human predicament?
The poor rattrap peddler struggled for existence. He could not make both ends meet so he had to resort to both begging and petty thievery. Despite this his condition was deplorable. Thinking of his miserable plight and his job as he plodded on, he was struck by the idea that the whole world about him was nothing but a big rattrap. It sets bait for people in the form of riches and joys, shelter and food, heat and clothing, just as the rattrap offered cheese and pork. The moment a person was tempted it closed and then everything came to an end.
At first, the peddler was pleased with the money he stole from the crofter and he went inside the woods and the path twisted back and forth so strangely that he walked not knowing where the woods ends at. He the realized that he had been walking around in the same part of the forest. All at once he recalled his thoughts about the world and the rattrap. He, then felt that his own turn had come. He had been fooled by a bait of thirty kronor and had been caught in the rattrap.
The peddler also told the ironmaster that the whole world was nothing but a rattrap. All the good things that it offered were nothing but cheese rind and bits of pork set out to drag a poor fellow into trouble.
None escaped, one person falls into the trap one day and the other the next day.
In the end the peddler left the rattrap as a Christmas present from a rat who would have been caught in this world’s rattrap had he not been treated respectfully as captain. His treatment as a captain gave the power to transform himself.
The metaphor of the rattrap highlights the theory of crime and punishment. Crimes, such as theft are comparable to enticement by a bait and the subsequent imprisonment in a rattrap is comparable to the guilt and agony undergone by the peddler. However, expiation is possible and kindness from another can help the wrong doer to reform.
22. The peddler comes out as a person with a subtle sense of humor. How does this serve in lightening the seriousness of the theme of the story and also endear him to us?
The Peddler, with his subtle sense of humour equates the rattraps he makes to the world, which he believes is a huge rattrap, offering baits like comfort, food, shelter and material benefits. One day the rattrap traps us and there is no way out. The Peddler’s insistence on staying in the warm forge and refusal to go with the ironmaster evokes pity. We know that somewhere he is feeling guilty of stealing the kronor.
When the ironmaster realizes his mistake, the tramp’s ‘sermon’ about the world’ being a rattrap, temptations and desires, is really humorous, as it seems out of context. The ironmaster’s daughter’s kind and sympathetic attitude changes him completely. Even she realizes his human worth and treats him with dignity. The tramp’s final act of leaving a token of love, the rattrap and a letter, signing off as the captain is also humorous.
Without the tramp’s philosophizing element of the rattrap and his treatment of it in a humorous way, the story would have been seeped in seriousness
23. Rat trap focuses on human loneliness and a need to bind with someone. Discuss.
The Rattrap deals with the issues of human loneliness and the need to bond with others. Not only the peddler but also other characters like the crofter, the ironmaster and Edla emphasise this fact. The peddler's conscience had left him because he had been lonely in his predicament, for a long time.
There are at least three characters in the story who suffer from loneliness and express the need to bond with others. They represent three strata of the human society as well. The peddler with the rattraps, the old crofter and the ironmaster all suffer from loneliness. The peddler is called a tramp, a vagabond and stranger at various points of the story. He moves wearily from one place to the other. He is lost in his own thoughts. He seeks shelter for night and people look at him with sour faces. Even the blacksmiths look haughtily at him and nod consent. The old crofter suffers from loneliness as he has neither wife nor child with him. Hence, he feels happy when he gets the peddler to talk to in his loneliness.
The ironmaster is also lonely in his manor house. His wife Elizabeth has died and his sons are abroad. There is no one at home except his oldest daughter and himself. His requests to Captain Von Stahle to accompany him show his need for human bonding. He admits frankly that they didn’t have any company for Christmas. The stranger turns down the request not because he is against bonding with others but because he fears being caught with stolen money.
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