The peddler did not hold good intentions even after being greeted with hospitality and warmth. The theme throughout the narration is serious and dark but we can see a subtle sense of humour under the darkness. The peddler thought about the world as a giant rattrap and did not have a positive outlook towards life. He never tried to change this outlook towards the world since he provided his brain with enough affirmative evidence to prove the same. This metaphor also makes the ironmaster laugh. The Christmas present he presented to Edla was evidence of his underlying humour and these instances help to lighten the darkness in the story.