THE LAST LESSON

ABOUT THE STORY

Introduction

The story centres around language chauvinism proving

true to the statement, "power corrupts, but absolute
power corrupts absolutely." When man adopts a
dictatorial attitude, he becomes insensitive towards
human feelings. The story, set in the days of the
Franco-Prussian war (1870 - 71) depicts how after
defeating France in the war, the Prussians wanted to
acquire and rule over not only the territory of France,
but also over the minds and hearts of the people.
According to an order received from Berlin, French was
no longer to be taught in the schools of Alsace and
Lorraine. They would learn only German. The lesson
renders a touching and emotional adieu to the identity
of the French who were being deprived not only of
their political freedom, but also their identity.

THEME

The story beautifully brings to light the human

tendency to postpone the learning of things for one
feels there is plenty of time to do so. One never knows
when the doomsday will dawn and bring an end to our
hopes and aspirations.

The natives of Alsace realise their folly of not giving

due importance to the study of French in their school
days. They become victims of linguistic chauvinism
with the acquisition of their districts by Prussia. They
receive their last lesson in French and are compelled to
bid adieu to their mother tongue. The story also
highlights the brutality of war which makes man
insensitive to human feelings and emotions.

SETTING
The last lesson is by the author Alphonse Daudet. In the
Last Lesson summary, the author narrates events about
the year 1870 when France was captured by Bismarck
led Prussian forces. Furthermore, the Lorraine and
Alsace districts went under Prussian rule. There was the
discontinuation of teaching French in these two districts.
There was an order for the French teachers to leave.
Consequently, M. Hamel was not able to stay in his old
school. In spite of this, the last lesson from him was full
of devotion and sincerity. One student of M. Hamel was
afraid of him. There was an anticipation of punishment
from this student when he came to school that day.
However, he learnt that this will be his last lesson. Soon,
he realized the importance of this subject. This story
shows us how people feel when they don’t learn their
language.
SUMMARY
The narration of this story is by a French boy, Franz.
Franz is a lazy boy. However, in spite of his laziness,
Franz likes to play and is of a sensitive nature.
Furthermore, Franz hates his teacher M. Hamel in his
school and has no interest in studying French.

An order has come from Berlin after taking over the

districts of Alsace and Lorraine in France that the
German language rather than the French should be
taught in the schools there. Furthermore, it is the school
French teacher M. Hamel’s last day.  This teacher has
been working there for forty years. Moreover, the
teacher has feelings of patriotism. He is also full of
nostalgia and grief.  The village men also attend his ‘last
lesson’ so as to honour and respect him.  The village is
regretting and is sad that they didn’t learn their mother
tongue in their childhood.

Franz receives a big shock when he learns that this is his

last lesson in French.  He is shocked because he does
not know French. Furthermore, on learning about the
last lesson, a sudden interest arises in him for learning
French. Moreover, he pays careful attention and learns
everything taught on this last day.
Instantly, he develops liking for the teacher M. Hamel.
His feelings of hatred for him suddenly came to an end.
Moreover, Franz develops respect for the hard work and
sincerity of his teacher.  Franz is sad and ashamed for
being unable to recite his lesson.

Hamel explains that they all are at fault for lacking

eagerness to learn. Furthermore, he also includes
himself in this fault. He blames himself for lack of
sincerity in teaching them.

There is a reflection of his patriotism in his praise for

the French language. He says that the French language
is the most logical and beautiful language in the world.
It seems that M. Hamel got emotional on this occasion.
Furthermore, he asks the class to guard their language.
He says that being close to one’s language is a way to
escape the clutches of slavery.  This language will assist
them in attaining freedom from the Germans.  The
people realise the significance of their mother tongue.
Moreover, they feel the reason for their defeat is
illiteracy.

Franz feels that it is impossible to remove one’s

language from a person. This is because it is something
that is natural to a person. This means that no matter
how hard the opposition may try, they will fail to
remove one’s language.

Conclusion of the Last Lesson Summary

The Last Lesson summary reflects on the importance of
one’s language for any race and why it is crucial to
safeguard it.

TEXTUAL QUESTIONS

Q1 What was Franz expected to be prepared with for

school that day ?

A day before, Franz's teacher had announced that he

would question the students on participles Thus, Franz
was supposed to have learnt the rules governing the
use of participles but he had failed to do so. As a result
he feared that Mr Hamel would scold him

Q2 What did Franz notice that was unusual about the

school that day ? Franz had expected to meet the usual
scenario on reaching the school. There used to be a
great bustle when school began. The din of opening
and closing of desks, lessons being repeated and the
rapping of the teacher's ruler on the table could be
heard out in the street But that day it was all very still
and as quiet as Sunday morning. The students were
already in their places and the usual
connection was missing

Q3 What had been put on the bulletin-board?

Usually the bulletin board had news of lost battles, the
draft and the orders of the commanding officer. But
the latest information on the board was about the
German rulers order banning the teaching of French in
Alsace and Lorraine. The order said that German will
replace French

04 What changes did the order from Berlin cause in

school that day ?

The order from Berlin brought about a sea-change in

the attitude of the Alsacians towards their language
and country. It awakened in them the love for their
language. People, who till that day, had been more
concerned about earning their livelihood, gathered in
the school classroom. They

showed exemplary interest in learning the language.

They occupied back benches of the class and

remained undisturbed till the end. There was a feeling

of gloom, guilt and repentance on each face. The
people in the story suddenly realise how precious their
language is to them. What shows you this? Why

does this happen ?

That their language is precious to them is evident from
the way the villagers attended the last lesson and from
their ardent desire to learn everything in one go. It is
evident also from Franz's regret at having ignored the
study of his mother tongue. But the most powerful
evidence is *M. Hamel's emotionally charged last
lesson. This happens as a result of the Prussian rulers'
order banning French ih the schools of Alsace and
Lorraine.

ADDITIONAL SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

Q6. What was the narrator's greatest fear as he moved

towards school ?

Franz had started late for school and thus was afraid of
the impending scolding for being a late comer. His fear
gripped him further for he was also unprepared. He
had not learnt his lesson regarding the rules for
participles and thus dreaded the teacher's anger.

Q7. What thoughts ran across Franz's mind as he

walked towards the school ? Q7

Franz nurtured a keen desire to escape school and

thought of spending the day outdoors enjoying Its
warmth and brightness. The sight of the chirping birds
and the Prussian soldiers drilling tempted him more
than the rules for participles he was expected to learn
at school.

Q8 What did the narrator observe as he passed the

town hall ? Why did the sight trouble him ?
A8. The narrator saw a huge crowd in front of the
bulletin board as he passed the town hall. The sight
troubled him because, for the past two years they had
received all their bad news, about the lost battles, the
draft and the orders of the commanding officers from
there 09 What was the implication of the blacksmith's
remark ? How did Franz respond to his remark The
blacksmith, Wachter was among the crowd that stood
before the bulletin board at the town hall When he
saw Franz hurrying to school he told him not to go so
fast as there was plenty of time to reach school. His
remark was in response to the order he had read which
barred the teaching of French in school. Franz did not
catch the implication of his words and thought that he
was probablymaking fun of him

QIO What surprises awaited Franz as he entered his

classroom ?

Franz was astounded when instead of meeting an

angry teacher, he was welcomed by a kind and polite
M. Hamel. This was quite contrary to his nature.
Moreover, he was dressed in his best clothes, a
beautiful green coat, frilled shirt and an embroidered
silk cap, which he wore only on inspection and prize
days. Another surprise that he encountered was that
the back benches were occupied by the village people,
who had never cared to come to school till that day

Q 11. What was the 'thunderclap' the narrator received

as M. Hamel began the lesson?

The narrator received a bolt from the blue when the

teacher, M. Hamel mounted on the chair and
announced that he was there to teach his last lesson in
French that day. They had received orders from Berlin
and consequently teaching of French was being barred.
Only German would be taught in the schools of Alsace
and Lorraine.

Q12 Why had the villagers occupied the back benches

of the class that day ? The villagers had occupied the
back benches of the class as a mark of respect for the
teacher and their mother tongue. It was their way to
atone for their guilt for not having attended school
more regularly and giving due honour and respect to
their country. This was the only opportunity they could
avail themselves of to thank their master for his forty
years of meritorious service and a mark of respect for
their country
Q13, What did the narrator wish when he was asked to
recite the rules of the participles by the teacher ? How
did he recite on the contrary ? The narrator had come
unprepared to school without learning his lesson about
the rules of participles When he was asked to recite he
repented his carelessness. He wished he could recite
his lessonsflawlessly and would have given anything to
be able to do so. On the contrary he got all mixed up
atthe very first word and stood there feeling guilty.

Q14. Why didn't M. Hamel scold Franz for not learning

his lesson ? M. Hamel did not scold the narrator
because he wanted him to realise his mistake of always
putting off his lessons for tomorrow. Such was the
nature of all Alsacians and now the worst had hit them
They could no longer learn their own language. Though
they were Frenchmen, yet they could neither speak nor
write their language. It was not a surprise that Franz
had failed to learn his lesson

TEXTUAL QUESTIONS

Q1 How-did Franz's feelings about M Hamel and school

change ?

Or
How did the narrator react when the teacher told him
that it was to be the last French lesson?

Franz had always been a shirker. He disliked going to

school and learning his lessons was a burden For him.
He wanted to freak out instead of having to memorise
the rules of participles. He did not seem to have any
friendly feelings towards his teacher M. Hamel, both
fall strict and cranky. His feeling Tor father, however,
changed when he reached the school on the fateful
day of the the lesson During the lesson a grim
realisation dated on him that he could barely write the
language and suddenly he-was being derived of the
opportunity of learning his language. He wAN guilt-
ridden for having neglected his lessons and escaping
school His books which had always been a burden and
a nuisance for him, suddenly became his prized
possession the thought of losing his teacher, M. Hamel
for ever pained him and made him forget his concealed
and his cranky nature

Q2 When a people are enslaved, as long as they hold

fast to their language it is as if they had the key to their
prison. Comment on the basis of the story "The Last
Lesson"

Political enslavement is a curse for any nation as it

deprives it of its identity. The natives of the country do
not enjoy any kind of freedom, be it physical or mental.
The ruling government dictates them with its own
ruling and compels them to abide by these rules
whether justified or unjustified The enslaved natives
also become victims of a restrained and confined life
with no hope of breathing freely in their own
motherland
At such times of enslavement, it is their language, the
mother tongue which keeps their identity alive. It is
their language which unites them against the
foreigners who have invaded their motherland. It is
also the key of their prison as it the mother tongue
which binds them together. It constantly reminds them
of their enslavement and brings them together urging
them to fight for the liberation of their motherland
M. Hamel, the French teacher thus reminds his
countrymen to safeguard their language after they
received orders from Berlin barring the teaching of
French in Alsacian schools. If they held on to their
language, only then will the coming generations
remain awakened to the fact that they have been
enslaved and the struggle for freedom continue. The
natives can liberate themselves only if
they recognise and maintain their identity through
their mother tongue
Q3 Franz thinks, "Will they make them sing in German,
even the pigeons ?" How does the expression evoke
feelings of indiscriminate domination by man ?

Man has an inherent desire for power and

unfortunately when he achieves it he uses wantonly He
believes in absolute enslavement and thus wants to
acquire not only the lands but also mister the mind and
heart of the people he enslaves. The story being set in
the days of the Franco-Prussian war, brings to light the
domineering nature of man. Prussians had acquired
the districts of Alsace and Lorraine in the war but that
was not all they desired. They wanted to rule over the
minds and souls of the people depriving them of their
true identity. They released orders that French, which
was the native language would no longer be taught in
the schools of Alsace. They would have to learn
German instead.

To be done in Registers
Q4) Man was born free, but he has bound himself everywhere in
chains - the chains of communism. The story "The Last Lesson" is all
about 'linguistic chauvinism. Comment ?
regionalism, religion, nationalities and even linguistic confinements.
Man long back forgot the of universal brotherhood, believing that we
all are the children of the same God. He segregate himself from
others soon after he became a little more civilised. Wars and battles
for acquiring power became a part of his nature and his desire to rule
and become the lord of the world made his selfish and self-centred.

The story "The Last Lesson" is all about linguistic chauvinism.

Acquisition of power over the Alsacian made the Prussians so
domineering that they imposed even their language on them. Their
pride their language was so fixed that there was no scope of
respecting and accepting the language of others. Their rulers wanted
to dominate even their minds and hearts and wanted them to even
think in their language, thereby causing the loss of their identity. The
story thus highlights linguistic chauvinism which is becoming a major
cause of wars and political disturbance in the world.

Q5. Write a note on the character of M. Hamel as a teacher ? Or

'A teacher should be a friend, a philosopher and a guide for his

pupils' Do you think M. Hamel fits into this image of a teacher ?
Discuss.

M. Hamel, the French teacher emerges as an epitome of an ideal

teacher in the story "The Last Lesson". He is introduced by the
narrator as a ruler-wielding stereotyped teacher, who is strict and
domineering. He is very particular that his students learnt their
lessons. At this point the reader feels that, like all teachers, he is
insensitive to the feelings of his students and takes pride in his
affirmative and empathetic tone.

M. Hamel, however, emerges as a true facilitator, a guide and a

philosopher for his pupils when he teaches his last lesson. His
domineering tone withers away and becomes gentle and polite. His
concern about the education of his students becomes more
prominent. Like a friend and guide, he advises the innocent villagers
to shift their priorities and pay more attention to learning at school.
As a patient teacher he makes Franz realise why he insisted on
learning the lessons in time and not postponing the learning. He is
also seen as a true patriot for he loves his country and the languages
native to it. He calls upon them to shake off their procrastination and
safeguard their language as
it was the key to their prison. We see him as a man of deep emotions
when he proudly writes "Vive La France on the blackboard in the
end. M. Hamel is thus an ideal teacher, true guide, philosopher and
patriot to the core.

Q6Justify the title of the story "The Last Lesson"

Life is an ongoing process and as long as man is alive he feels there is

always plenty of time to do things. He keeps postponing learning the
lessons of life, quite oblivious to the fact that at any point of time
circumstances may change and he may never be able to learn the
very lesson he had been postponing to learn. Life may cut short his
learning and it may unexpectedly prove to be his last lesson

The story "The Last Lesson" highlights an identical situation. The

people of Alsace always felt that there was plenty of time to learn
their lessons and so did not give due importance to school. They
preferred having their children work on farms and mills instead of
having them learn their lessons. Even Franz, the narrator always
looked for opportunities to escape school and was never serious
about learning his lessons. Quite unexpectedly they receive orders
from Berlin, after defeat in the war, that French will no longer be
taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. It is then that they
realise that what they had been evading all this while, will now be
deprived to them. They awaken to the course of safeguarding their
language and reach to attend the last lesson taught by M Hamel, the
French teacher.

The story is aptly entitled as it evokes a consciousness in the reader

that he must learn his lessons in time. One can never apprehend
which day of life, he may be learning his last lesson
Q7 Do you think the story touches upon the brutalities
of war ? Comment.

Q8. What thunderbolt did the narrator receive on

reaching the school ? How was he affected by it ?