The Last Lesson
1. What was Franz expected to be prepared with for school that day?
Ans: Franz was supposed to come prepared with the lesson on participles. M. Hamel had informed the class that he would question the students on this topic. However, Franz had not studied the lesson at all and did not know anything about participles. Because of this, he was afraid of being scolded by M. Hamel and felt nervous about going to school.
2. What did Franz notice that was unusual about the school that day?
Ans: Franz noticed a strange silence in the school that day. Usually, the schoolyard was full of noise when classes began. Students repeated lessons loudly, desks were opened and closed, and there was a lot of bustle that could even be heard from the street. But on that day everything was calm and quiet, just like a Sunday morning. This unusual silence surprised Franz.
3. What had been put up on the bulletin-board?
Ans: The bulletin-board in the town square was used to display important public announcements. For the past two years, since the German occupation, many unpleasant notices had been posted there. On that day a new order from Berlin was displayed. It announced that German would replace French as the language of instruction in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. Because of this order, many villagers gathered around the bulletin-board to read the news.
4. What changes did the order from Berlin cause in school that day?
Ans: The order from Berlin created a deep sense of sadness and shock in the school. It declared that only German would be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine from the next day. As a result, that day became the last lesson in French. M. Hamel was very emotional and serious while teaching. Even the villagers came to attend the class to show respect for their language and their teacher. The atmosphere in the classroom was very quiet and sorrowful.
5. How did Franz’s feelings about M. Hamel and school change?
Ans: Franz’s attitude towards school and M. Hamel changed completely after hearing the announcement. Earlier he disliked school and feared his teacher’s strict nature. But when he realised that it was the last lesson in French, he suddenly felt a deep love for his language and school. His books, which he once considered a burden, now seemed like old friends. He also developed great respect and sympathy for M. Hamel.
Understanding the Text
1. The people in this story suddenly realise how precious their language is to them. What shows you this? Why does this happen?
Ans: The importance of language becomes clear when the order from Berlin forces the people of Alsace and Lorraine to stop learning French and start learning German. This sudden change awakens strong patriotic feelings among the people. They realise that their language is a symbol of their identity and freedom.
M. Hamel describes French as the most beautiful, clear and logical language in the world. The presence of village elders in the classroom also shows their respect for their mother tongue. They regret that they had not valued their language earlier.
Franz too becomes emotional because it is his last lesson in French. He feels guilty for neglecting his studies and now wishes he had learnt the language properly. In this way, the story shows how people begin to value their language only when they are about to lose it.
2. Franz thinks, “Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?” What could this mean?
Ans: This remark reflects Franz’s deep feelings about the forced imposition of the German language. The story takes place after the French regions of Alsace and Lorraine were captured by Prussia. The new rulers ordered that only German would be taught in schools.
Franz notices pigeons cooing on the roof and wonders sarcastically if the Germans could force even the birds to sing in German. Through this thought, he expresses his resentment and helplessness. Although the Germans could control the people and their schools, they could not control nature or the inner feelings of the people.
Thus, Franz’s statement symbolises the idea that while rulers may impose laws and languages, they cannot truly control people’s hearts and their love for their own language.