BRIEF NOTES (Flamingo)

{CH- 1 THE LAST LESSON}

BY: ALPHONSE DAUDET

Characters: 1. Franz (a young boy)
2. M. Hamel (a French teacher)
Background of the story: Prussia was a powerful European Empire. It consisted of Germany, Poland
and some parts of Austria. A war was going on between Prussian and France(1871-72) in which
France was defeated. Two major districts of France namely , Alsace and Lorraine ,passed into the
hands of Prussia. The lesson describes how the Prussian rule affected the life of the people of Alsace.
# The thought of spending the day outside by Franz because:
 He was late for school.
 He has not learnt lesson on participle.
 The day was warm and bright with birds chirping.
 He was tempted to watch Prussian soldiers’ drill.
# Changed scenario:
 Orders from Berlin were displayed on the bulletin board that not to teach French anymore in
the schools of Alsace and Lorraine.
 Everything still, as quiet as Sunday morning. No hustle –bustle, students were very attentive,
back benches strangely occupied by villagers.
 M. Hamel in ceremonial attire – beautiful green coat, frilled shirt, and embroided cap which
he normally wears on inspection & prize distribution days.
 He was very lenient and sympathetic.
#Franz’s feelings:
 Shocked, mixed with pain and agony for parting from his mother tongue.
 Sudden respect & fondness emerged in him for his teacher.
 His regret for not being attentive in class during his lessons.
# Tribute by villagers:
 As a sign of repentance for not having gone to classroom more often.
 To thank and pay regards to M. Hamel for his meritorious service of 40 yrs. In school.
 As a mark of respect for the country which was no longer theirs.
# Hamel’s views about negligence towards French language:
 Parents’ ignorance, not anxious about their mother tongue.
 Children preferred to put to work on farms & mills.
 M. Hamel also blamed himself for sending children on leave for his convenience.
# M. Hamel’s love for French:
 He calls French language the most beautiful, clearest & logical language.
 Asked not to forget it and guard it and pay regard as their mother tongue is the key to prison
of slavery.
# M. Hamel’s last words on the black board:
 “Vive La France!”
 Means: Long live France.
# Theme: The story beautifully brings to light the o postpone the learning of things for one feels
there is plenty of time to do so. It highlights brutality of war which makes man insensitive to human
feelings and emotions.
Note: all these notes should be done in the fair notebook of English.
Prepared by : VANSHU SINDHU