-Alphonse Daudet

Alphonse Daudet (1840-1897) was

a French short story writer and novelist.
He is now remembered chiefly as the author
of sentimental tales of provincial life in the
south of France. He portrays human
emotions in a very realistic manner.
His chief works are ‘Sapho’, ‘Le Petit Chose’,
‘In the Land of Pain’ and ‘The Last Lesson’.

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 OBJECTIVE OF THE LESSON

• To perceive the overall meaning and organisation of the text

(i.e., the relationships of the different “chunks” in the text to
each other
• To identify the central/main point and supporting details,
etc., build communicative competence in various registers of
English
• To develop ability and knowledge required in order to
engage in independent reflection and enquiry
Theme of the story
 Relates to culture and language
 Dominance of the imperial and colonial power
 Lust for ruling the world influencing culture and
identities
 Linguistic Chauvinism
 Language: an asset , more so in times of crisis
 Fear, shame and agony of losing freedom of
learning and using mother tongue
 Student and teacher attitudes to learning and
teaching

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FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR

• Technically a disagreement over the Spanish throne-series of diplomatic

correspondence between Prussia and France
• Napolean III declared war on Prussia in July of 1870
• In four months, the Prussian army had defeated the French and taken Napolean
prisoner
• France lost Alsace-Lorraine

Effects of the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71)

• Prussian military feared
• May 10, 1871 – Treaty of Frankfurt
❖ Alsace and part of Lorraine ceded to Germany
❖ War reparations of 5 billion gold francs
• German nationalism
• New Balance of Power in Europe
Background of the story
 ‘The Last Lesson’ is set in the days of the
Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871).
 The Prussian forces under Bismarck attacked
and captured France.
 The French districts of Alsace and Lorraine went
into Prussian hands.
 The new Prussian rulers discontinued the
teaching of French in the schools of these two
districts.
 The French teachers were asked to leave.

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Franz was afraid of going to
school as he did not learn
participles.
Wanted to enjoy beauty of
nature, sunshine ,chirping birds,
Prussian soldiers drilling but
resisted.
Bulletin-boards: all bad news,
lost battles, the drafts and
orders of the commanding
officers ; wondered what it could
be now.
 Noticed the changes in the school.
 No commotion, no noisy classrooms.
 Everything as quiet as Sunday morning.

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 M.Hamel, the teacher did not scold him, but spoke
kindly.
 Franz noticed the teacher dressed in his Sunday
best.
 Villagers occupying the last benches.
 To pay tribute to M. Hamel for his 40 years of
sincere service.
 To express their solidarity with France.
 Hamel made the announcement of it being the last
French lesson.
 Franz realized what was put on the bulletin –board.
 Regretted that he did not know his mother-tongue.
 Repented of not taking his lessons seriously.

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 Franz realized why the teacher was dressed in his
Sunday best and villagers sitting at the back.
 Hamel accepted that all three – the children, parents
and he himself were to be blamed for losing respect
and regard for the mother tongue.
 Always keep the mother – tongue close to your heart
as it is the key to the prison of slavery.
 Atmosphere in class: teacher teaching sincerely and
patiently; students and others studying with utmost
sincerity.
 Franz wondered sarcastically if the Prussians could
force pigeons to coo in German.
 Tears rolled down their eyes.

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 M. Hamel roused the spirit of patriotism.
 Overwhelmed with emotions , could not speak.
 Wrote on the blackboard ‘Vive La France!’— ‘Long Live France’.
 Made a gesture with his hand to them.
 “School is dismissed — you may go.”
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Watch and enjoy-
https://youtu.be/j1Yk0lzV40Q
https://youtu.be/UeITIRL6B9Q

BY - SUNITA PANDEY