Question

How do the peddler from ‘The Rattrap’ and ‘the office boy’ from ‘Poets and Pancakes’ compare in terms of their frustration, status, and grudges against others?

Hint:

While comparing characters, discuss both similarities and differences, and connect them to the story’s message or outcome.

Answer 1

The peddler in "The Rattrap" and the office boy in "Poets and Pancakes" both embody individuals constrained by their low social standing and unfulfilled ambitions. The peddler, a solitary wanderer, harbors resentment towards a society that has ostracized him, perceiving the world as a deceptive "rattrap" filled with lures. His discontent fuels his theft from the benevolent crofter. Likewise, the office boy harbors ambitions of fame but is confined to the menial task of mixing paints. He expresses his frustration by belittling colleagues and their achievements, deflecting blame for his own shortcomings. Both characters harbor resentment: the peddler towards societal marginalization, and the office boy towards authority and lost chances. Yet, their reactions diverge. The peddler experiences a metamorphosis following an encounter with kindness and respect at the ironmaster's residence. He admits his transgressions and rectifies them by returning the stolen funds. Conversely, the office boy remains entrenched in cynicism, arrogance, and self-delusion. The fundamental distinction lies in the peddler's ability to self-reflect and evolve, whereas the office boy remains static, consumed by his discontent and inflated ego.