The Last Lesson

by Alphonse Daudet

A story of loss, regret, innocence and fervent patriotism.

“Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?”

Answer the following questions:

1) Where and when is the story set in?

The story is set in France during the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71. France was defeated by Prussia, and French districts Alsace and Lorraine went into Prussian hands.

2) What was Franz expected to be prepared with for school that day?

Franz was expected to be prepared with the rules of participles that day.

3) What did Franz notice that was unusual about the school that day?

When he reached school, at first he noticed that everything was extremely quiet as if on a Sunday morning. There was no hustle and bustle of the day. There were no sounds of opening and closing of desks, lessons repeated in unison or teacher’s ruler rapping on the table.

When he reached the classroom, he saw that M. Hamel was wearing his special clothes with green overcoat and embroidered hat. These he wore only on prize days and inspection days. Franz was expecting him to scold him as he was late. But he did not do so. He just gently told him to take his seat.

Further, as he took his seat, Franz observed that the last benches which were usually empty were occupied by the villagers.

4) What had been put up on the bulletin-board?

An order that had come from Berlin was put up on the bulletin-board. According to the order, no school in Alsace and Lorraine districts were to teach French language anymore. They had to teach the German language.

5) What changes did the order from Berlin cause in school that day?

The order from Berlin had created an atmosphere of sadness and regret in school. The students were feeling remorse for not learning their own language properly. M. Hamel was blaming himself, the students, their parents, and the entire district for putting off learning to tomorrow. Even the villagers were regretting losing their language as they came to attend the last lesson in French from the teacher who had taught for 40 years.

6) How did Franz’s feelings about M. Hamel and school change?

Earlier, Franz was afraid of M. Hamel. He considered him to be cranky and was terrified from his iron ruler. However, later in the last lesson, he felt sorry for him as he would now become jobless and would have to leave school where he had taught for 40 years. Franz could understand how he must be feeling. He sympathized with him when he realized that he was trying to give everything he could even in the last class.

Franz was not much interested in studies in the beginning. He had not even prepared the rules of participles he was supposed to learn. When he learned about the discontinuation of French classes because of German victory, there was a drastic change in his attitude. The big books that seemed to be nuisance now seemed like old friends he did not want to let go. He realized that if he paid enough attention, everything was quite easy to understand, and he regretted not paying enough attention earlier. When he was asked a question, he did not know the answer, but would have given everything to be able to answer on that last day.

7) Who does M. Hamel blame for learning not taking place?

First, M. Hamel blamed the whole district for putting off learning to tomorrow, including the students who did not take things seriously. Then, he blamed the parents for sending their children to work in mills or farms instead of sending them to school. Lastly, he blamed himself too for declaring holidays when he wanted to water his garden or go for a fishing trip.

8) Franz thinks, “Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?” What could this mean?

This could mean one of the two things. First, this could be just an innocent remark from young Franz as if he had no idea why the Germans were taking away their language. Or it could be a very clever taunt on the Germans.

It is the greatest pity of the human race that history is full of such examples where one powerful country has taken control of another weaker country and imposed their ways on them, taking away their own culture.

However, this little taunt by Franz tells us that no matter how powerful they are, no matter how much force they use on the French, no matter how mighty their military prowess is, all of that comes to nothing in front of nature. They can force the French to learn and speak the German language, but they cannot force the pigeons to sing in German. Even if they caged these birds, they would still sing in their own language. Germans would have no control over these elements of nature. They, or everyone in that matter, are powerless against the forces of nature.

9) “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.” Explain.

Language is an integral part of any culture. In order to preserve culture, preservation of language is essential. The literature available that tells the stories of their history, achievements and glories are the ultimate treasure of that particular community. This is something that is common among all these people, and that binds them together in unity.

This unity ultimately overpowers many of the oppressions that they face. It is this feeling of belonging to the culture that brings people together to fight against the unfair. The language is the link that holds the culture and people’s sentiments together to fight against any injustice they are going through. Therefore, it is like a key to come out of prison.