Characters and big ideas

The rattrap is the story's central metaphor. The world's riches and comforts are the bait; greed and temptation lead people into the trap. The peddler himself is caught, the moment he steals the thirty kronor.

The characters:

• The peddler: poor, lonely and bitter, but not wicked at heart. His humour (calling the world a rattrap, then signing as a captain) makes us like him, and keeps a serious story light.
• The ironmaster: quick to act, proud, and easily changed: warm one moment, angry the next. He is lonely too, since his wife is dead and his sons are abroad.
• Edla: shy and careful, but deeply kind and understanding. She sees the man's fear and treats him with dignity.
• The crofter: a lonely old man who trusts a stranger.

The story is full of surprises: a stranger welcomed, a host robbed, a tramp taken for a captain, and a thief who returns the money.

Almost everyone in it is lonely, and needs someone to talk to. The story is told somewhat like a fairy tale, and its message is hopeful: we are all tempted, but kindness and trust can bring out the goodness in a person and set them free.