THE SETTING OF THE STORY

(BACKGROUND)

The present story is set during the

days of Franco – Prussian War
(1870 – 18710) in which France
was defeated by Prussia led by
Bismarck. At that time Prussia
consisted of Germany, Poland and
some parts of Austria.
 KEY POINTS:
• Back Ground - Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871)
• Prussia won the War (Prussia = Austria+ Poland + Germany)
• Franz's worries- Late for school
Participles not prepared
• Temptations- The bright sunshine
The birds chirruping in the woods
Prussian soldiers drilling
Rush at the bulletin-board- another news from warfront?

Frank surprised on reaching school-

Unusual calm at school as if it were Sunday Morning
M. Hamel wearing fine Sunday clothes
Presence of the villagers in the class
Sadness in the air
Not scolded for being late

Hamel's address-
The last lesson
Reference to news at the bulletin-board
No more French
German to be taught
A sudden change in Franz's views regarding his books and M. Hamel

Reasons for Villagers being there-

Pay tribute to mother tongue
Express gratitude towards M. Hamel
Regret for not studying

The last lesson in the class-

Test of the past participles
Explained the grammar lessons
Writing work
Lesson in History
Chanting of Alphabets by small children and villagers
Change in attitude-
M. Hamel was vey patient and explained everything nicely
Franz listened very carefully and found it easy to understand
M. Hamel attempted to teach everything at one stroke

Reasons to Reproach- Casual approach towards learning

Children- procrastinated
Parents- preferred to send children to work in farms and mills for
money
Hamel- sent children to water his plants; gave them holiday to go
fishing
His opinion about French-
The most beautiful language in the world
Clearest and most logical
In slavery-the key to their prison

End of the lesson-

All villagers crying
M. Hamel pale, throat choked
Hides his face and rests his head on the board
Writes on the board 'Vive La France’
Signals the dismissal of class with his hand
 JUSTIFICATION OF TITLE-
• The chapter highlights the human tendency of procrastination oblivious to
the fact that life is subject to change.

• The last lesson taught by M. Hamel symbolizes the loss of language and
freedom for France.

• The marching soldiers under the windows represent the dawn of Prussia in
France, defeat of the French people and the resultant threat to their language
and culture.

• M. Hamel’s bold “Long Live France” on the blackboard become

substantial evidence of his sadness, patriotism and finality.
 LINES TO PONDER UPON
"Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons"

“M. Hamel stood up, very pale, in his chair. I never saw him
look so tall.”

“When a people are enslaved, as long as they hold fast to their

language it is as if they had the key to their prison.”

“Vive La France”
‘