- By Alphonse Daudet

THE LAST LESSON

Alphonse Daudet (1840-1897) was a
french novelist and a short-story writer.
The Last Lesson is set in the days of the
Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871) in
which France was defeted by Prussia led
by Bismarck. Prussia then consisted of
what now are the nations of Germany,
Poland and parts of Austria. In this story
the French districts of Alsace and
Lorraine have passed into Prussian
hands.
1. Franz – ( The narrator) Franz is a young school boy in the french
region of Alsace-Lorraine in the nineteenth century. He is a
laggard when it comes to school work.
2. M.Hamel- The school master of a small village school in the
french region of Alsace-Lorraine. He is stern and intimidating to
his pupils, among them the narrator of the story, Franz.
3. Old Hauser – One of the elder villagers who gathers with the
children in M.Hamel’s classroom to hear the last lesson.
4. Prussian soldiers – Forces of the occupying Prussian power,
which has invaded the French region of Alsace-Lorraine and
claimed it for the Prussia.
5. Watcher – A blacksmith in a village in the french region of
Alsace-Lorraine .
In this lesson, 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.
The narration of this story is by a French boy, Franz . Franz
is a lazy boy. However, in spite of his laziness, he likes to
play and is of a sensitive nature. Furthermore, he 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 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. Morever, 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 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 is the most logical and beautiful language
in the world. It seems that M.Hamel got emotional on this
occasion. 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 his last day.
Instantly, he develops liking for the teacher M.Hamel. His feelings
of hatred for him suddenly came to an end. Moreover, France
develops respect for the hard work and sincerity for 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 a 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 ask 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 realize 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
The last lesson reflects on the importance of one’s
language for any race and why its is crucial to to
safeguard it.