Teacher Guide

The Rattrap Lesson Plan

Introduction to The Rattrap

"The Rattrap" is thought to be one of Selma Lagerlöf's earliest works, likely written in the 1880s. The story was first published in 1933 in Sweden ("Råttfällan") as a part of Lagerlöf's collection of stories, Host. Two years later, the collection was translated into English and published as Harvest. Lagerlöf's training and professional experience as a teacher, place her firmly in a tradition of writing and inventing fables and didactic tales to teach children how to behave and mold them into empathetic young adults.

The text follows a moment in the life of an unnamed vagabond who sells rat traps to scrape by. The vagabond develops a theory that the whole world is comparable to a rat...

Join Now to View Premium Content

GradeSaver provides access to 2368 study guide PDFs and quizzes, 11018 literature essays, 2792 sample college application essays, 926 lesson plans, and ad-free surfing in this premium content, “Members Only” section of the site! Membership includes a 10% discount on all editing orders.

Join Now

Already a member? Log in