THE LAST LESSON

- Alphonse Daudet
Theme
The Last Lesson revolves around the importance of the mother tongue to the
citizens of a country. It is the duty of every citizen to safeguard the language of
the country as it is the identity of that country. It emphasizes the fact that our
mother tongue gives us our identity, respect and freedom.
The lesson depicts how after defeating France in the war, the Prussians wanted
to rule over not only the territory of France but also over the minds and hearts of
the people.
The story also highlights the fact that we value something more when it is lost.
The pain and anguish of the students and the teacher is evident as everyone
realizes how things were taken for granted earlier. It also highlights the attitude
of teachers and students towards learning and teaching.

NOTES
[Please write the questions and answers in your notebook]
(Page 9, FLAMINGO – Understanding the text)
1. The people in this story suddenly realise how precious the language is to
them. What conveys this and why does this happen?
Ans: The people had taken their native language, French for granted. The old
people attending the last lesson looked sad. They were sorry for not attending
school. They presumed there was plenty of time so parents preferred making
children work. The teacher had also skipped the lesson on some pretext. The
value of what they were losing became clear only when they were forced to give
it up. Even young Franz regretted neglecting his lessons. On the day of the last
lesson he realised that his books were like old friends and also felt that he would
be missing their company.

2. Franz thinks, “Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons”. In
what context does he mention this and what does it mean?
Ans: While engrossed in the study of French language during the last lesson,
Franz hears the cooing of pigeons. He wonders whether they too (pigeons) have
to coo in German. This thought rises in Franz’s mind while speculating about
the future. Alsace, their home, had now passed from the hands of France to
Prussia. The freedom which the people had so far enjoyed was now replaced
with restriction. The cooing of pigeons is symbolic of their natural language
French, and their freedom. By gagging the use of French, the new rulers were
forcing them to give up a natural inclination. The mother tongue was an integral
part of their life. Their language was the key to their identity and freedom. And
so long as the language is alive the spirit of a people cannot be enslaved.

3. How does M. Hamel show his pride in his language?

Ans: Orders from Berlin took away M. Hamel’s freedom to teach his
language. The last lesson he conducts conveys his pride. He puts on his fine
Sunday clothes. He reproaches himself for having wasted time. He talks
about the beauty and clarity of the French language and exhorts those
gathered to guard it and never forget it. He defines language as the key to
identity of freedom. Towards the end of his lesson he is so overwhelmed by
emotions, that he just manages to write a ‘Vive to France’ on the board.

4. How did Franz and the people of Alsace react to orders from Berlin?
Ans: Orders from Berlin came as a shock. Franz was full of regret as he had
hardly learnt to write. He rued the fact that he did not pay attention to his
lessons. Books no longer seemed a burden to him now and he realised that he
would miss his teacher. The village people came to attend the last lesson. The
people were sorry they hadn’t gone more to school. They were present at the
school as they wished to thank their master and to show respect for their country
by giving their full attention to the lesson. Old Hauser had brought an old
primer and his voice trembled with emotion while spelling out the words on it.