Introduction:
The author of "The Rattrap" skillfully employs metaphors to enhance the reader's understanding of the protagonist's life and the themes of the story. This narrative by Selma Lagerlöf is included in the Class 12 English Flamingo book.

1. The World as a Rattrap:
In the story, the author uses the metaphor of a "rattrap" to represent the world. The rattrap symbolizes life's challenges, temptations, and deceit. Just as a rattrap lures rats with bait and traps them, the world entices individuals with material pleasures and then traps them in a cycle of greed and dishonesty. The world, like the rattrap, is not inherently evil but tempts people into its clutches.

2. The Rattrap Peddler as a Symbol:
The character of the rattrap peddler is also a metaphorical representation. He is compared to a rat in the rattrap, trapped by circumstances. The peddler, who had once been a rattrap himself, fell into the trap of poverty and desperation. His life mirrors that of the rats he used to catch. This metaphor highlights the cyclical nature of life's struggles and the potential for redemption.

3. The Ironmaster's Mansion as a Symbol of Temptation:
The Ironmaster's mansion serves as a metaphorical symbol in the story. It represents material wealth, luxury, and temptation. The peddler, enticed by the grandeur of the mansion, cannot resist the lure of comfort and steals the money. This act leads to his subsequent realization of the futility of material possessions and the traps they create.

4. The Poacher's Cottage as a Symbol of Refuge:
The poacher's cottage, where the peddler finds shelter, is another metaphorical element in the story. It symbolizes a place of safety and refuge from the traps of the world. In this humble dwelling, the peddler finds solace and discovers the kindness of others. The cottage represents the possibility of escape from the rattrap of life through simplicity and human connection.

Conclusion:
The author effectively employs metaphors in "The Rattrap" to convey deeper meanings and themes. Through the metaphor of the rattrap, the peddler's character, the Ironmaster's mansion, and the poacher's cottage, Lagerlöf explores the cyclical nature of life's struggles, the temptations of material wealth, and the potential for redemption and escape. These metaphors enrich the reader's understanding of the story and its underlying messages.