The Last Lesson

The Last Lesson

By-Alphonse Daudet

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INTRODUCTION

A. Daudet's short story "The Last Lesson' is set in the days of the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871). Germany (Prussia occupied two French districts of Alsace and Lorraine. By order from Berlin, the German language was imposed on the French-speaking people of Alsace and Lorraine. The story highlights the dismay and distress of M. Hamel, his students and the villagers caused by that order from Berlin.

 

1. Late for School.

The narrator (Franz) started school very late that morning. He feared M. Hamel. He would question the students on participles. The narrator didn't know even the first word about them. He feared a scolding, He thought of running away and spending the day out of doors. The weather was very warm and bright. But he decided otherwise and hurried off to school.

 

2. Crowd in Front of the Bulletin-board.

As Franz passed the town hall, he saw a big crowd in front of the bulletin-board. For the last two years, all the bad news had come from there. The people got the news of the lost battles and other important information only from there.

 

3. Unusual Calm at School.

Usually, when the school began there was a lot of hustle and bustle. The opening and closing of desks and lessons orally repeated in unison creating a lot of commotion. But now it was all so still. He could depend on the commotion to get to his desk without being noticed. But now he went in before everybody. He blushed and was quite frightened. But nothing happened. No punishment. M. Hamel saw him and asked very kindly to take his seat.

 

4. The Last Lesson.

M. Hamel was in clothes that he wore only on inspection and prize days. The whole school seemed so strange and silent. But the most surprising thing was the presence of the village elders sitting quietly on the back benches. M. Hamel mounted his chair and spoke in a grave and gentle tone. *My children, this is the last lesson I shall give you." He told them that an order had come from Berlin. Only German would be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. The new master would come the next day. It was their last French lesson. He wanted them to be very attentive.

 

5. Sudden Love for French.

The narrator felt sorry for not learning his lessons in French. He never liked his books. He didn't have any interest in grammar and history. But now he developed a fascination for them. Even he started liking M. Hamel. The idea that he would not teach them anymore, made Franz forget all about his ruler He even forgot how cranky his teacher was. Now it was his turn to recite. But he got mixed up and confused. M. Hamel didn't scold him.

 

6. M. Hamel went on to Talk of the French Language.

M. Hamel showed his concern that people of Alsace generally gave no importance to French. They put off learning their own native language. Franz was not the only culprit. Many others also shared the same fate, He declared that the French language was the most beautiful language in the world. It was the clearest and most logical. They must guard it among themselves and never forget it. It appeared that M. Hamel wanted to give them all he knew before going away.

 

7. "Vive La France " "Long Live France!).

 

All at once the church-clock struck twelve. The trumpet of the Prussian soldiers sounded under their windows. M. Hamel stood up, very pale, in his chair. He tried to speak but some thing choked him. He couldn't speak. Then he turned to the blackboard. He took a piece of chalk and wrote as large as he could: "Vive La France!" Long Live France!") Then without a word, he made a gesture to them with his hand: "School is dismissed you may go.