The Rattrap Lesson Plan

Explain the vagabond's theory that the whole world was a rat trap. Where did he get this idea? Why did he enjoy it? What do you think of his theory, both in the context of the overall story and as regards real life?

The vagabond built and sold rat traps as a means to get by. It wasn't always enough to survive and sometimes he had to resort to begging or stealing. As rat traps were his business, the vagabond thought about them much as anyone else would their job. One day, the vagabond was struck by the idea that the whole world was like a giant rat trap. He figured that any joys of the world—riches, shelter, clothing—were similar to the bait of cheese and pork left...