Click Here to Read the Lesson 'The Last Lesson'

Summary of the Lesson

The Last Lesson is a story written by French writer and novelist Alphonse Daudet. It is set during the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871), during which the French districts of Alsace and Lorraine were annexed to Prussia.

The story revolves around Franz, a young schoolboy who is not interested in going to school but prefers to idle his time by fishing or finding where the birds have laid their eggs. After reaching the school, he finds that a change has happened in the school in every respect. It was not clear to him the reason for this change. But when M.Hamel, his French teacher announces in the classroom that that was his last French lesson as the order has come from Berlin to teach only German in the school, Franz understands the reason and feels sorry for himself and his teacher. Along with Franz, the young and old students regret not giving importance to the French language and culture. The story dwells on the themes of patriotism, regret, loss of cultural identity, and the importance that the people should give to their land and language.

1. The Last Lesson

Acknowledgment: The questions and answers provided in this section are inspired by the themes and content of the NCERT English textbooks. For further reference, please consult the NCERT materials.

1.What is the background of the chapter 'The Last Lesson'?

Ans:- 'The Last Lesson' is set in the days of the Franco-Prussian war in which France was defeated by Prussia led by Bismarck and the French districts Alsace and Lorraine were passed into Prussian hands.

2.Why did Franz start late for school?

Ans:- Franz started late for school as he was afraid of the teacher's scolding and was not prepared with participles.

3.What were the three tempting things Franz felt were better than participles?

Ans:- Franz thought of spending the day out of doors as it was so warm and bright, the birds were chirping at the edge of the woods and in the open field back of the sawmill the Prussian soldiers were drilling.

4.What four bad news came out of the bulletin board?

Ans:- The lost battles, the draft, the orders of the commanding officer and the order to introduce the German language in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine with the complete ban on the French language.

5.What was the usual noise that was heard when the school began?

Ans:- The great bustle, the opening and closing of desks, lessons repeated in unison and the teacher's ruler rapping on the table.

6.Mention the unusual things Franz saw on that day.

Ans:- Franz saw that the classroom was still and quiet. His classmates were already in their places, M.Hamel was walking with his terrible iron ruler under his arm, and on the back benches sat the elderly village people.

7.What kind of dress was worn by M.Hamel?

Ans:- M.Hamel had worn a beautiful green coat, his frilled shirt and the little black silk cap, all embroidered.

8.When would M.Hamel wear that dress?

Ans:- M.Hamel would wear that dress on inspection and prize days.

9.What were the things that surprised Franz the most?

Ans:- Franz was surprised to see on the back benches the village people - old Hauser, the former mayor, the former postmaster and several others.

10.What did old Hauser bring?

Ans:- Old Hauser had brought an old primer, thumbed at the edges and held it open on his knees with his great spectacles lying across the pages.

11.What change did the order from Berlin make in the school on that day?

Ans:- The order from Berlin made it compulsory to teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine with the complete ban on the French language.

12.What would Franz do instead of learning his lessons?

Ans:- Instead of learning his lessons, Franz went in search of birds' eggs and sliding on the Saar.

13.How did Franz feel about the school and his teacher on that day?

Ans:- Franz felt sorry for not learning French when it was taught to him. He considered is books as a nuisance and when he realized that his teacher was going away he forgot all about his ruler and how cranky he was.

14.Why did the old men of the village sit in the class?

Ans:- The old men of the village sat in the class as they were sorry for not going to the school more, it was their way of thanking their master for his forty years of service and of showing their respect for the country that was theirs no more.

15.What was the great trouble with Alsace?

Ans:- The great trouble with Alsace was that she would put off learning till tomorrow.

16.Where would the parents prefer to send their children instead of sending them to school?

Ans:- The parents preferred to send their children to work on a farm or at the mills so as to have a little more money.

17.Why did M.Hamel blame himself?

Ans:- M.Hamel blamed himself because instead of teaching the children he would send them to water his flowers and whenever he wanted to go for fishing he would give them a holiday.

18.What did M.Hamel say about the French language?

Ans:- M.Hamel said that French is the most beautiful language in the world - the clearest, the most logical that we must guard it as it acts as a key to one's prison whenever anyone is enslaved.

19.How did M.Hamel's handwriting look like?

Ans:- M.Hamel's handwriting was beautiful and looked like little flags floating everywhere in the school room hung from the rod at the top of their desks.

20.How did everything that was taught seemed so easy for Franz?

Ans:-Franz was attentive during the class and the teacher taught the subject patiently.

21.What changes took place during M.Hamel's 40 years tenure?

Ans:- The desks and benches in the class had become smooth, the walnut trees had become taller and the hopvine had twined about the windows to the roof.

22.What happened when the church-clock struck twelve?

Ans:- When the church-clock struck twelve, the Angelus was recited, the trumpets of the Prussians returning from drill sounded under their windows and M.Hamel wrote on the board 'Vive La France.'