Question

The peddler’s temptation for money and Sophie’s unrealistic dreams were the root cause for the sufferings of both the characters. Analyse the lessons ‘The Rattrap’ and ‘Going Places’ in the light of the above statement.

Hint:

• Contrast the "material bait" in The Rattrap with the "psychological bait" in Going Places.
• Use the word "escapism" to define Sophie's character and "cynicism" for the peddler.
• Highlight how both characters find themselves isolated by their choices.

Answer 1

Concept:
• Human suffering often originates from an inability to reconcile one's desires with reality.
• In ‘The Rattrap,’ the peddler represents the moral vulnerability of the poor when faced with material temptation.
• In ‘Going Places,’ Sophie represents the psychological vulnerability of the youth who use fantasy as an escape from a mediocre life.

Step 1: Analyze the peddler's temptation and its consequences
The peddler viewed the world as a giant rattrap where riches and joys are baits.
Despite this philosophy, he succumbed to the temptation of stealing thirty kronors from the hospitable old crofter.
This act of greed forced him to avoid the public highway and hide in the woods, where he eventually became lost and felt the "rattrap" closing in on him.
His suffering was primarily internal—a mix of fear of capture and the guilt of betraying someone's trust.

Step 2: Analyze Sophie's unrealistic dreams and their impact
Sophie, a teenager from a lower-middle-class family, lives in a world of pure imagination to escape her drab surroundings.
She dreams of owning a boutique, becoming an actress, or a fashion designer, despite her family's limited means.
Her ultimate unrealistic dream involves a romantic meeting with the football star Danny Casey.
When the reality of his absence hits her at the canal, she experiences a deep sense of disappointment and the "burden" of a self-created sadness.

Step 3: Synthesize the comparison and conclusion
Both characters suffer because they reach for something that is either unethical or unattainable.
The peddler's suffering is a result of a moral lapse triggered by poverty, while Sophie's suffering is a result of an emotional lapse triggered by escapism.
The lessons suggest that true peace is found in accepting reality and maintaining moral integrity, rather than chasing "baits" or "mirages."