The Last Lesson

1. The Author
2. Background of the story
3. Main Points & Explanation
• Alphonse Daudet :- French Novelist, Born in Nimes, France
(1840-1897)
• Background :- FRANCO – PRUSSIAN WAR (1870-1871)
It is set in Franco – Prussian war which took place
in 1870-1871. France was defeated by Prussia led by
Otto Van Bismarck. The French districts of Alsace and
Lorraine were occupied by Germany. A young boy
named Franz is the narrator of the chapter. He talks
about his last lesson of French language at School.
German had instructed that German language would
be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine.
Main points
Franz’s fears while going to school
late for school
dreaded a scolding
had not learnt his lesson on participles
Thought of running away and spending the day outside because
the day was warm and bright with birds chirping
he was tempted to watch the prussian soldiers drilling
Overcame temptations and hurried to school
EXPLANATION:-
A young boy Franz was late for school one morning . He was afraid
that he would get scolding from his teacher M.Hamel. He was also afraid
because his teacher was supposed to question them on participles. He did
not know the lesson at all. So instead of going to school, he thought of
spending the day out as it was warm and bright. The birds were chirping on
the trees and the prussian soldiers were drilling out. He felt all this was
more tempting than studying in the class. But he resisted this thought and
hurried off to school.
 Main points
Scene at the town hall
a crowd in front of the bulletin board
it was source of all bad news; the lost battles, the draft, the orders of the
commanding officer
Franz worried what the matter could be
astounded by the black smith’s remark that there was plenty of time to
reach school
EXPLANATION :-
On his way, when he passed the town hall, there was a crowd in front
of the bulletin board. This is the bulletin board where all types of news
were put up, news of lost battles and orders of the commanding officer. So
as the war was going out, all the news that was being conveyed to the
people, was put at the bulletin board in the town hall. Franz was wondering
what the news could be now, then a black smith called out, “Don’t go so
fast bub, you will get to your school in plenty of time. So he was trying to
convey the news to Franz and suggested him that there was no any matter
to worry. He had plenty of time to reach the school. But Franz did not pay
attention to him. He ignored the black smith and went on his way to school
without wasting his time.
Main points
Usual scene at school
began with great bustle
noise of opening and closing of desks
lessons repeated loudly in unison
teacher’s ruler striking against the table hard
Explanation :-
Every morning there was great bustle so there used to be
lot of sounds which could be heard. There was always sound
of opening and closing of desks. All the students could be
heard repeating their lesson and whenever Franz came late in
school, he used to enter in the class without being noticed by
others but on that particular day, the atmosphere of the
school was calm and quiet.
Main points
Changed scenario that day
everything very still and as quiet as Sunday morning
all classmates already in their places
M.Hamel pacing up and down with the ruler under his arm
Franz frightened to enter
Explanation :-
The scene at school was unusual. The school
atmosphere was calm and still just like Sunday morning. He
got more confused what could be the matter. He peeped
through the window of his class. He saw all his classmates
were seated in systematic manner and M.Hamel was
moving around with his ruler under his arm. Now Franz
was confirmed that scene was unusual.
Main points
The classroom surprises Franz
Franz entered in class
had put on his formal dress
whole school wore a strange and serious look
back benches occupied by village people
Explanation :-
When Franz took permission from M.Hamel to enter in
class, M.Hamel was very calm and kind. He instructed Franz
to take his place. Franz saw a tremendous change in behavior
of M.Hamel. After sometime when Franz recovered, he saw
that his teacher was dressed in his best attire. He was
wearing his beautiful green coat, his frilled shirt and black silk
cap. This dress was worn by his teacher on special occasion
so Franz was astonished to see that . After some time he
noticed that all the village men, the former mayor, Mr.
Hauser, postmaster, they all were sitting on the last bench.
Franz was surprised to see all these changes.
Main points
M.Hamel’s Announcement
last lesson in French
received orders from Berlin
only German language in schools of Alsace and
Lorraine
new teacher to join the next day
Explanation :-
When all kinds of confusions and questions were going
on in Franz’s mind, his teacher M.Hamel took on his
chair and calmly addressed them and he said that it
was their last lesson in French. They had received
orders from Berlin to teach only German in schools of
Alsace and Lorraine. The next day, a new German
teacher was going to join their school. The news was
like thunderclap for Franz.
Main points
• Franz was shocked that it was his last lesson
• his feeling about his teacher, his language and his books
suddenly changed.
- he felt sorry for skipping his lessons
- he did not want to part with his books
- he deeply pained at the thought of M.Hamel going away.
Explanation :-
Franz was shocked that it was his last lesson. His
feelings about his teacher, language and books changed.
He felt sorry for whiling away his time and skipping his
lessons. He did not want to part with his books of grammar
and history which he had earlier considered a nuisance. He
had suddenly developed the feelings of love, affection and
respect for his teacher M.Hamel. He deeply pained at the
thought of M.Hamel going away. He forgot all about the
teacher’s ruler and his cranky nature.
Main points
Franz gets answer of all his questions
• Why was there crowd near bulletin board?
• Why had M.Hamel worn his fine Sunday clothes?
• Why did villagers gather in the class room?
Explanation :-
He got all the answers of his Confucians. He realized why
there was crowd near bulletin board. People must be reading
this new news over there. He realized that M.Hamel had
worn his fine Sunday clothes in honour of the lesson of French
language, and villagers gathered in the classroom to thank
their master for his faithful service of forty years. And they
wanted to pay respect for the country which was no longer
theirs.
Main points
Narrator's failure and teacher’s response
• Franz was asked to recite the rules for participles.
• He couldn’t speak anything.
• M.Hamel does not scold him.
• He comments upon man’s nature of post poning things and blames
everyone for poor condition of French language in Alsace.
Explanation :-
Franz was asked to recite the rule for participle. He wished
that he was able to recite the rules flawlessly. He felt guilty in
getting everything mixed up. He couldn’t speak anything but
M.Hamel did not scold Franz. He commented upon man’s nature of
postponing things thinking there is plenty of time. He made the
audience realise the irony of being French men but not being able
to speak or write in their own language. He blamed parents for not
being serious in sending their children to school. They preferred to
send them to do work in farms and mills. He blamed himself for
sending children to water his plants and do other small works for
his convenience.
Main points
M.Hamel tells them importance of French language
• It is purest, logical and beautiful language
• People must guard it and never forget it.
Explanation :-
Mr. Hamel told them the importance of French
language. He called it the most beautiful, logical and
purest language in the world. He motivated them to
always guard it and never forget it. He made them
realise that mother tongue could be proved as a key
to release from any kind of prison.
Main points
M.Hamel teaches his last lesson
• Gives them lesson in grammar
• Follows up with a lesson in writing
Explanation :-
After telling the importance of French language,
M.Hamel gave them lesson in grammar. He explained
everything with unusual patience and probably wanted
to teach them everything in one go. Then he followed
up with a lesson in writing. He gave new copies to the
students with “France Alsace” written in them.
Everyone set to work very quietly. There was pin drop
silence there. The only sound heard was the scratching
of pens over paper. The little ones were also working
with full concentration. Even beetles failed to distract
them.
Main points
• Franz recalls M.Hamel’s dedicated service
• M.Hamel keeps his courage
– Delivers his Last Lesson in history
– Everyone becomes emotional.
• M.Hamel arouses his spirit of patriotism
– He writes Vive-La-France on the black-board.
– Dismisses school by making a gesture with his hand.
Explanation :-
When everyone was busy in writing work Franz recalls M.Hamel’s
dedicated service. He thought that M.Hamel had served the school for
forty years. Nothing had changed, the garden outside the window and his
class in front of him. Only the desks and the benches had become
smooth, the walnut tree had grown taller and hopvine planted by him
twined about the windows to the roof. Mr. M.Hamel delivered his last
lesson in history. Everyone was overwhelmed with emotions. Tears rolled
down their eyes. Suddenly Church clock struck Twelve. Trumpets of the
Prussian soldiers sound under the windows. Overwhelmed with
emotions, Mr. Hamel wrote “Vive-La-France” on the blackboard and
dismissed class by making gesture with his hands. In this way Mr.Hamel
aroused spirit of patriotism in all of them.
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