THE LAST LESSON

ENGLISH XII : FLAMINGO

Question Bank Lesson 1 : The Last Lesson Compiled by : Lakhan Panchal

A. Type 1 : Answer the following questions in 30-50 words. (2 Marks)

1. What tempted Franz to stay away from school? (PYQ)

Franz feared a scolding at school as he had not prepared hte lesson on participles, on which his
French teacher M Hamel was to question the class that day. Besides* the warm and bright
weather, the chirping of birds and the watching the drill of Prussian soldiers also tempted Franz
to stay away from school.

2. What was Franz expected to be prepared with for the school that day? (PYQ)
Franz was expected to be prepared with participles that day. His teacher M Hamel, was to
question him on the topic. Franz had not learnt his lessons and feared to be scolded by him.

3. What was unusual about M Hamel’s dress on his last day in the school? (PYQ)
M Hamel had put on his ceremonial clothes on his last day in the school. He was wearing a
beautiful green coat, a frilled shirt, and a little black embroidered silk cap. This was a special
ceremonial attire which he usually wore on days of inspection and prize distribution.

4. Why is the order from Berlin called a thunderclap by Franz? (PYQ)

or
“What a thunderclap these words were to me!” What were the words that shocked
and surprised the narrator? : (PYQ)
M Hamel told his students that it was their last French lesson, as an order had come from Berlin
that henceforth only German was to be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. This
announcement seemed to be a thunderclap to Franz. He was left in surprise and shock to learn
that a new master was going to arrive the next day and they would learn German instead of
their mother tongue.

5. Who were sitting on the back benches during M Hamel’s last lesson? Why? (PYQ)
or
Why had the villagers come to school on the day of the last lesson? (PYQ)
or
Why were the elders of the village sitting in the classroom? (PYQ)
Some of the elderly people from the village were sitting on .the back benches during M
Hamel’s last lesson. The villagers had come there to attend his last lesson as it was their way of
paying respect to the master, who had given forty years of faithful service to the school.

6. Why does M Hamel reproach himself for his students, unsatisfactory progress in
Studies? (PYQ)
M Hamel had been rather irregular as a teacher. He took leave whenever he wanted to. Besides,

1 Lakhan Panchal
 he had often sent the students to water his plants, and whenever he wanted to go fishing, he
just gave them a holiday. So, he reproaches himself for his students’ unsatisfactory progress in
studies.

7. Who did M Hamel blame for the neglect of learning on the part of boys like Franz?(PYQ)
M Hamel blamed himself for the neglect of learning on the part of boys like Franz. He himself
was not quite regular and took leave whenever he needed it, which reflected on the behaviour
and studies of the students. He also blamed their parents for not taking interest their education.

8. What shows M Hamel’s love for the French language? (PYQ)

or
What did M Hamel tell them about the French language? What did he ask them to
do and why? (PYQ)
In his last lesson, M Hamel told the students that the French language was the most beautiful
language in the world—the clearest and the most logical. He asked them to guard it amongst
themselves and never forget it, because when a people were enslaved, as long as they held fast
to their language, it was as if they had the key to their prison.

9. What words did M Hamel write on the blackboard before dismissing the last class?
What did they mean? (PYQ)
Before dismissing the last class, M Hamel turned to the blackboard, and wrote the phrase, ‘Vive
La France!’ as large as he could. These words meant ‘Long live France’, and spoke of M Hamel’s
great love for his country and his deep sense of patriotism.

10. What made M Hamel cry towards the end of his last lesson? (PYQ)
M Hamel had taught French at the school for the last forty years. He was emotionally attached
to the school and everything in and about it. He was really heartbroken to leave it all. Besides,
his own predicament reminded him that his country would soon lose its independence. All this
made him cry towards the end of his last lesson.

11. How did M Hamel say farewell to his students and the people of the town? (PYQ)
At the end of his ‘Last Lesson’,. M Hamel stood up to say farewell to his students and the
people of the town. He tried to speak, but overwhelming emotion choked his voice. He then
wrote as large as he could on the blackboard ‘Vive La France’; then he dismissed the class with
a gesture with his hand.

12. Mention two things about M Hamel that surprised Franz on his last day at school. (PYQ)
M Hamel didn’t scold Franz for being late; instead he told him very kindly to go to his place.
Also, that day he was dressed in his best clothes; he was in his beautiful green coat, frilled shirt
and little black silk cap with embroidery, which he wore only on inspection or prize days.

13. Why were Mr. Hamel’s words like a thunderclap to Franz?

2 Lakhan Panchal
 Franz was shocked when Mr Hamel announced that it would be the last French lesson that day.
He realized that he hardly knew how to write and would not get a chance to learn any more
French. He felt sorry for not having learnt his lessons and for having wasted his precious time.
The thought that Mr Hamel would go away made him feel uneasy.

14. Why were the old men of the village present in the classroom?

The old men of the village were sitting in the classroom. Franz felt that they too, like him, we’re
sorry for not having gone to school often. It was their way of thanking the master for his forty
years of faithful service and showing their respect for the country that was no longer theirs.

15. How had the teacher dressed on the day of the last lesson?

He was dressed in his beautiful green coat, his frilled shirt and little black silk cap-all
embroidered, something he never wore except on special days like prize days and inspection
days.

16. How were the parents and M. Hamel responsible for the children’s neglect of the French
language?

Ans. M. Hamel didn’t scold Franz for neglecting the learning of French. Most of the people of
Alsace could neither speak nor write their own language. Their parents preferred to put them to
work on a farm or at the mills. Mr Hamel didn’t even spare himself from blame. He had often
sent his students to water his flowers instead of learning their lessons.

17. How was the last lesson different from earlier lessons?

The last lesson was different from earlier lessons in many ways. It revealed the love and respect
of the teacher and students for their mother tongue. M. Hamel spoke very kindly and taught
very patiently. He did not scold anybody that day. It seemed as if he wanted to give all that he
knew before going away.

He was in his best attire and his ‘iron ruler’ was no more in use. This lesson was attended by
villagers to show their love and respect for their mother tongue and M. Hamel. The students
listened very carefully and everybody was absolutely quiet. Franz was sorry for not learning his
lesson. The last lesson was an emotional time which stirred patriotic feelings and awakened the
villagers to the importance of their mother tongue.

B. Type 2 : Answer the following questions in about 100 words.

1. Justify the title ‘The Last Lesson’.

The title The Last Lesson’ is significant and conveys the central theme of the story. The title
highlights the fact that sometimes even the most precious things in our lives are taken for
granted by us. The people of Alsace never gave much thought or importance to their mother
tongue. They did not insist that their children should give it wholehearted attention. They did
not encourage regular attendance of their children in French classes. They thought there was

3 Lakhan Panchal
 plenty of time to learn it. They preferred their children to work and earn rather than learn. They
received a severe jolt when orders came from Berlin to ban French and make German
compulsory. This brutal order from Prussians made them realise the importance of their mother
tongue. So they came in full force to attend M. Hamel’s last lesson. In fact, the story shows the
awakening of the turn to the importance of their mother tongue. This was displayed by them by
attending the last person of the French. Thus, the title The Last Lesson’ reveals the theme of the
story and is fully justified.

What message does the story ‘The Last Lesson’ carry? How relevant is it today ?

The story carries the message of the importance of holding on to one’s identity and culture and
not losing it or taking it for granted. It emphasizes the importance of holding onto one’s
language as the key to our identity. It highlights the importance of one’s language in preserving
our heritage and history. In the story, the oppressors were using the ultimate weapon of
imposing their language on their captives in a bid to wipe out their national identity and pride.
It, therefore, has a strong message for us to take pride in our own language because it gives us
our identity which once lost cannot be regained.

C. Characterization

1. Write a character sketch of little Franz.

Franz was a typical schoolboy. He was carefree and hated to go to school. He was afraid of his
French Teacher M. Hamel’s ‘iron ruler’. He was more interested in spending his time outside the
school. Many times, he missed the school and went in search of ‘bird’s eggs’ or watching the
Prussian soldiers drilling at the sawmill. He did not realise the importance of learning his
mother tongue till the time his country passed into Prussian hands and teaching French was
banned. This came as a thunderbolt to him when he came to school and found it to be his last
French lesson. At this point, he lamented the loss of his language. His entire perspective
towards the language and the teacher changed. He was surprised to learn and understand
everything on the last day and did not find M. Hamel strict during the lesson. He was not able
to understand the severity of war and wondered whether “the Pigeons would be made to coo
in German”.

2. Write a character sketch of M. Hamel.

M. Hamel is a strict disciplinarian at a school in a village in the French districts of Alsace and
Lorraine. M. Hamel is an experienced teacher who has been teaching in that village school for
forty years. He imparts primary education in all subjects. He is a hard taskmaster and students
like Franz, who are not good learners, are in great dread of being scolded by him. He loves his
profession from the bottom of his heart and holds a deep sense of respect for the mother
tongue. The latest order of the Prussian conquerors upset him. He has to leave the place
forever and feels heartbroken. He feels sad but exercises selfcontrol. He has the courage to hear
every lesson to the last. This thought completely shatters a calm and composed man like M.
4 Lakhan Panchal
 Hamel. He tries his level best to remain calm and unruffled but breaks down at the end. His
performance during the last lesson is exemplary. He is kind even to a latecomer like Franz. He
uses a solemn and gentle tone while addressing the students.

D. Other Question

1. Franz was shocked when he heard that it was the last lesson in French and he hardly knew
his mother tongue. Many of us find ourselves in similar situations and regret when all is
over. What qualities should we inculcate in our life so that we are able to achieve our
goals?

Opportunity knocks the door only once. In fact, everyone gets only one chance in life and if it’s
lost there. is no way to redeem it. It is said that hard work can turn the impossible into possible.
But along that, value for time is very essential. Most of us are in a habit of delaying things.
Unless and until we are consistent and regular in our efforts, we cannot achieve our goals.
Setting a goal is an easy a task but the journey to reach that goal is a tedious task and demands
perseverance, grit and determination. One has to be focused and consistent in one’s efforts.

To achieve our goal in life, we need to understand the importance of time. Like Franz, we
should not delay the efforts and sit comfortably thinking that there is enough time. As we know
that time and tide wait for no man. So in order to achieve our goals, we need to be vigilant,
consistent, punctual, regular hardworking and a determined person who greatly values time.

E. Referential Questions

1. Franz thinks, “Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?” What does
this tell us about the attitude of the Frenchmen? (PYQ)
This shows that the Frenchmen were full of hatred and desperation against the Germans.
Besides, they feared German atrocities. They thought that they would be forced to read German
and no one will be spared.

2. ” What a thunderclap these words were to me!” (Franz). What were those words and what
was their effect on Franz?

Franz reached the school late on the day of the ‘ant lesson. M. Hamel mounted on his chair. He
spoke in a grave and gentle tone and made it clear that it was his last French lesson as an order
had come from Berlin. All the schools of Alsace and Lorraine would teach only German from the
next day when a German teacher would replace him. The news left Franz shocked and
aggrieved as he was going to lose his teacher, and the opportunity to learn his language.

5 Lakhan Panchal