The Last Lesson

About the Story/ Synopsis of the Story:

"The Last Lesson" is set during the Franco-Prussian War of the 1870s, when
France was defeated by Prussia, which included Germany, Poland, and parts of
Austria. Prussian forces occupied the cities of Alsace and Lorraine, and the
story focuses on M. Hamel's final lesson in a French village school before he
leaves. This marks a significant moment as it's his farewell from teaching in
France.

The Theme of the Last Lesson:

"The Last Lesson shows how people deeply desire their language and culture
when they face war. It explains the sadness and grief of losing one's home,
language, and traditions during conflicts. The story also reveals how political
situations impact children as Franz grows fond of his native language, culture,
and teacher. It reflects how humans often value something more when they are
about to lose it than when it's easily accessible."

Character Sketches:

M Hamel - M. Hamel was a strict yet passionate teacher who believed strongly
in teaching French to his students. He took pride in his job and courageously
defied orders to conduct the final lesson.

Franz - Franz, an active and curious boy, enjoyed exploring different activities
but initially wasn't interested in learning French. He should have paid more
attention to the political situation and missed important announcements.
However, he observed M. Hamel closely, noticing his behaviour and when he
dressed formally. Franz became emotional when he realised he wouldn't learn
from M. Hamel anymore or study French.

Point wise Summary of The Last Lesson-

1. The story is set in a small French village during a time when German
authorities take control of the region.
2. The people in Alsace believed they had plenty of time to learn and did not
prioritize education.
3. The protagonist, Franz, often skipped school for activities like searching for
birds’ nests or sliding on the riverbanks.
4. Unexpectedly, an order arrives from Berlin, making it compulsory to teach
German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine.
5. The people realize the value of their education and language when it is
threatened and may be taken away.
6. The last French lesson is taught by the sympathetic teacher, Mr. Hamel, who
passionately emphasizes the importance of the French language and cultural
identity.
7. The students, including Franz, deeply regret not valuing their education and
language earlier.
8. Mr. Hamel writes “Long live France” on the blackboard, expressing his
sadness, patriotism, and a sense of finality.
9. The story’s title, “The Last Lesson,” reminds readers not to delay or take
their education and opportunities for granted.
10. The story highlights the significance of education, cultural identity, and
seizing the present moment.

Q1. What changes did the order from Berlin cause in the school?

Ans: The order from Berlin stated that only German will be taught in the
schools of Alsace and Lorraine. The order effected many changes, as an unusual
silence prevailed in the school, compared to the hustle and bustle earlier. M
Hamel became soft in speaking to the students, while the people realised the
importance of their language. The villagers even attended the school to show
respect to M Hamel.

Q2. Franz didn’t learn French, whom did M. Hamel blame?

Ans: M. Hamel didn’t blame Franz for not learning but his parents who were
not anxious to have him learn. Instead they wanted him to work on a farm or at
the mill to earn money. Even he blamed himself for sending him to water the
flowers instead of learning and for declaring holiday when he wanted to go
fishing.
Q3. What did Franz notice that was unusual about the school that day?

Ans: Franz noticed the absence of the routine hustle and bustle caused by the
opening and closing of desks, repeating of the lessons and rapping of the
teacher’s ruler on the table. The usual hustle – bustle was replaced by a strange
stillness that was the characteristic of a school on a Sunday morning.
Q4. What was the narrator’s greatest fear as he moved towards the school?
Ans: Franz had started late for school that day and was afraid of being scolded.
His fear gripped him further for he was also unprepared. He had not learnt the
rules of participles as instructed by his teacher, thus dreaded the teacher’s anger.
Q5. Franz thinks, “Will they make them sing in German, even the
pigeons?” What does this tell us about the attitude of the Frenchmen?
Ans: 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 would be spared.
Q6. “What a thunderclap these words were to me!” What were the words
that shocked and surprised the narrator?

Ans: 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.
Q7. “You realise the true value of a thing only on losing it.” Comment on
this statement in the light of the story, The Last Lesson.

Ans: M Hamel was considered strict and the classes/work given by him were
not taken seriously. After the invasion of France, the German language was
banned. The realization that they may never have the opportunity to learn
German again serves to underscore the importance of the lessons they received
and the role that M. Hamel played in their lives. The story serves as a reminder
of the importance of cherishing and appreciating the opportunities we have in
life, rather than taking them for granted.
Q8. Comment on the significance of the villagers sitting at the back in M.
Hamel’s classroom.

Ans: The presence of the villagers in Mr Hamel’s class on his last day at school
was, in reality, a reflection of their tremendous respect for him. They came to
express their gratitude to Mr. Hamel for his forty years of devoted service. Also,
they had come to pay respect to the nation that was no longer their own.

Q9. “We‟ve all a great deal to reproach ourselves with” said M.Hamel.
Refer to the context and explain what he wanted to convey to his students.

Ans: M. Hamel said it to Franz when he felt embarrassed at not being able to
answer – he consoles Franz by saying everyone in Alsace is to be blamed for
them not learning their mother tongue/parents ,teacher and children all are to be
blamed for taking their language for granted.

Q10. What was Franz’s reaction when he learnt that he was attending
his French lesson for the last time?
Ans. He felt sorry that he had not learnt his lessons and wasted his time in seeking
birds’ eggs and going sliding on the Saar. He felt that his books which were such a
nuisance a while ago and heavy to carry were now like old friends that he didn’t
want to give up at all. The teacher whom he thought to be so cranky now appeared
to be a friend.