Q.Why did the peddler decide to leave the stolen thirty kronor behind, along with a note and a rattrap, as a gift for Edla? What change had come over him?

The peddler decided to leave the stolen thirty kronor, along with a note and a rattrap, for Edla because her profound kindness and unwavering trust had a transformative effect on him. Despite knowing his true identity, Edla treated him with the dignity and respect due to a captain, which awakened his dormant conscience and sense of self-worth. He wanted to return the money to the old crofter and prove that he was not merely a thief trapped by circumstances, but a man capable of honorable actions. …

The peddler, at the outset of the story, is a deeply cynical and disillusioned individual. He views the entire world as a giant rattrap, with material temptations like riches, shelter, and comfort serving as bait to ensnare people. His own life is a testament to this belief; he is a vagabond, a petty thief, and utterly devoid of self-respect, having been caught in the "rattrap" of poverty and loneliness. His theft of the thirty kronor from the old crofter is a direct consequence of this worldview – he sees an opportunity and takes it, without much thought for morality or consequence.

His encounter with the ironmaster and, more significantly, with Edla Willmansson, marks the turning point in his life. The ironmaster mistakes him for an old regimental comrade, Captain von Stahle, and invites him home for Christmas. The peddler, though initially hesitant, accepts, seeing it as a chance for a comfortable stay, but also fearing exposure.

Edla's Unwavering Kindness and Compassion

It is Edla's exceptional compassion and understanding that truly begin to chip away at the peddler's hardened exterior. Her actions stand in stark contrast to how the peddler has been treated by society at large, where he usually meets with suspicion, disdain, or indifference.

• Gentle Persuasion: When the peddler is reluctant to accompany her, Edla's gentle and persuasive manner, devoid of any harshness or judgment, convinces him. She assures him he will be free to leave whenever he wishes, treating him with a respect he is unaccustomed to.
• Insight and Acceptance: Even after realizing he is not Captain von Stahle, Edla does not react with anger or disappointment. Instead, she argues with her father, insisting that they should not turn away a guest they had promised Christmas cheer. She understands that he is a poor, lonely man who has been driven to desperate measures, and she feels sympathy for him.
• Treating Him as a Human Being: Throughout his stay, Edla treats him with dignity and kindness, as if he truly were Captain von Stahle. She ensures he is well-fed, clothed, and comfortable. This unconditional acceptance, despite knowing his true identity and his past actions, is unprecedented in the peddler's experience.
• Offering a Future: Her most profound gesture comes when she tells him he is welcome to return next Christmas, offering him a sense of belonging and a future, however small, that he has never known. This act of genuine hospitality and belief in his potential for goodness is what makes her influence so powerful.

The Peddler's Transformation

Edla's unwavering kindness acts as a powerful catalyst, awakening the peddler's dormant conscience and sense of self-worth. He had always believed that the world was a trap, and he was merely playing his part as a trapped creature. Edla's actions, however, demonstrate that there is goodness and compassion in the world, and that not everyone is out to exploit or judge.

• Her belief in him, even when he was a thief and an impostor, makes him want to become the person she believes him to be – a respectable "Captain von Stahle." He realizes that he has been given a chance to step out of his own "rattrap" of deceit and cynicism.
• The warmth and security he experiences at the ironmaster's house, coupled with Edla's gentle spirit, make him reflect on his past actions, particularly the theft of the thirty kronor. He feels a profound sense of guilt and a desire to atone.
• He understands that Edla's kindness has "raised him to captain," meaning she has helped him find his true, better self, inspiring him to live up to the image of an honorable man. …