What dread did little Franz have when he started for school in the morning ?
Franz was late for school that morning. He feared the teacher would scold him. Also, the teacher was to ask questions on participles. But Franz did not know a word about participles. Naturally, he was in great fear.
What thought came to Franz’s mind while going to school in the morning ? Why ?
(Or)
Why did Franz not want to go to school that day ?
Franz was late for school. He feared the teacher would scold him. Also, the teacher was to ask questions on participles. But Franz did not know a word about participles. So he thought of running away and spending the day out of doors.
What sights did Franz see on his way to school ?
First of all, he saw Prussian soldiers drilling in an open field. Then he passed by the town hall. A crowd stood in front of the bulletin board. Franz wondered what the matter could be on the news.
Why was Franz afraid when he was going to school that day ?
Franz was late for school that day. He feared the teacher would scold him. Also, the teacher was to ask questions on participles. Naturally, he was afraid.
Why did Franz think of running away and spending the day out of doors ?
Franz was late for school. He feared the teacher would scold him. Also, the teacher was to ask questions on participles. Franz didn’t know a word of them. So he thought of running away and spending the day out of doors.
What things tempted Franz to keep away from school ?
(Or)
What tempted Franz to stay away from school ?
It was a warm and bright day. Birds were chirping in the trees. Some Prussian soldiers were drilling in an open field. For Franz, it was far more tempting than going to school.
For Franz, what was much more tempting than going to school and why ?
Playing in the bright warm sun, hearing birds chirp in the trees and seeing Prussian soldiers drilling in the open field tempted Franz much more than going to school.
What did Franz see when he passed by the town hall ?
Franz saw a crowd in front of the bulletin board. For the last two years, all bad news had come from there. Franz wondered what the matter could be there that day. However, he did not stop there. He hurried by as fast as he could.
What was the order from Berlin and what changes did it cause in the school ?
The order from Berlin said that German would be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. The new teachers were coming the next day. There was complete silence everywhere. Everyone looked sad and serious. Old people of the village had come to thank Mr Hamel for his faithful service of forty years.
What did the blacksmith say to Franz ?
Franz was late for school. He was going as fast as he could. The blacksmith was standing in front of the bulletin board at the town hall. On seeing Franz, he said, “Don’t go so fast, boy. You’ll get to school in plenty of time !”
What was Franz expected to be prepared with for school that day ?
The teacher had said that he would ask questions on participles. So Franz was expected to be prepared with the rules for the use of participles. But poor Franz didn’t know a word of them.
How was the scene in the school in the morning of the last lesson different from that on other days ?
(Or)
What did Franz wonder about that day ?
There were usually lots of noises when the school began. For example, there was the opening and closing of desks. The sounds of teacher’s great ruler rapping on the table could be heard. But that day it was all very quiet. It was as quiet as Sunday morning.
What did Franz see through the window when he reached his school ?
Franz saw that his classmates were already in their places. His teacher, Mr Hamel, was walking up and down in the classroom. He was holding his terrible iron ruler under his arm.
Why was Franz not scolded for reaching the school late that day ?
That day, Franz was not scolded because it was Mr Hamel’s last day at the school. He was sad to leave the school. Besides, the village people were sitting there on the back benches.
How and why was Mr Hamel dressed differently that day ?
Mr Hamel was dressed in his best clothes. He was in his beautiful green coat and a frilled shirt. He was wearing a little black silk cap. He never wore this dress except on inspection and prize days. Mr Hamel was dressed differently on that day because it was his last day in the school.
Why were some elderly persons occupying the back benches that day ?
(Or)
Why did Hauser and the other villagers come to attend the last lesson ?
(Or)
Why were the old men of the village sitting in the classroom on the last day of the lesson ?
(Or)
Why did the village elders occupy the back benches in the classroom to attend the last lesson delivered by Mr Hamel ?
(Or)
Who occupied the back benches in the classroom on the last day of the last lesson ? And why ?
(Or)
Why did the elders of the village attend the last lesson ?
They were the elders of the village. They were the old students of Mr Hamel. They had come to school to thank Mr Hamel for his forty years of faithful service. They sat on the back benches with the students.
Comment on the significance of the villagers sitting at the back in M. Hamel’s classroom.
The presence of the villagers in Mr Hamel’s class on his last day at school was, in fact, a mark of their deep respect for him. They had come to thank Mr Hamel for his forty years of faithful service. They had also come to show their respect for the country that was theirs no more.
What information did Mr Hamel give to the children in his class ?
Mr Hamel told the children that it would be his last lesson to his class. Orders had come from Berlin to teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. He said that the new master was coming the next day.
‘What a thunderclap these words were to me !’ What were those words and what was their effect on Franz ?
Mr Hamel announced in the class that it would be his last lesson. Orders had come from Berlin to teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. He said that the new teacher was coming the next day. These words came like a thunderclap to Franz.
What had been put up on the bulletin board ?
It was an order from Berlin. It said that only German would be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. The new teachers were coming the next day.
What changes did the order from Berlin cause in school that day ?
It was all quiet. There were no noises. It was as quiet as Sunday morning. Mr Hamel said it would be his last lesson. Everybody looked sad. The village people had come to thank Mr Hamel for his forty years of faithful service.
How did Franz feel when Mr Hamel said that it was his last lesson at school ?
(Or
How did Franz react to the declaration that it was their last French lesson ?
Franz was shocked. He cursed the Prussian rulers. He cursed himself also. He cursed himself for not learning his lessons. He used to call his books a nuisance. But now he was sorry that he would never see Mr Hamel again.
What changes came over little Franz after he heard Mr Hamel’s announcement ?
Franz was shocked when he heard that Mr Hamel was leaving the school for ever. His feelings changed altogether. He cursed himself for not learning his lessons. He forgot all about Mr Hamel’s ruler and his cranky nature.
What was Franz’s regret when he came to know that Mr Hamel was leaving the school for ever ?
Franz was full of regret. He was sorry for not learning his lessons. He used to go and look for birds’ eggs. He thought his books a nuisance and too heavy to carry. But now he saw them as his old friends that he couldn’t give up.
What was it that had brought the old men of the village to school ?
The old men of the village had come to know that Mr Hamel was leaving the school for ever. They had come to thank him for his forty years of faithful service. They had also come to show their respect for the country that was theirs no more.
What did Mr Hamel ask Franz to recite and how did Franz fare in it ?
Mr Hamel asked Franz to recite the rule for participles. But Franz got mixed up on the first words. He just stood there, holding on to his desk. His heart was beating fast and he did not dare to look up.
What did Mr Hamel say when Franz failed to recite the rule for participles ?
(Or)
Who did Mr Hamel blame when Franz was unable to answer a question on French participles ?
Mr Hamel did not scold Franz. He only said that it is not good to put off learning. He blamed Franz’s parents for not caring about his studies. He blamed himself also.
Who did Mr Hamel blame for the neglect of learning on the part of boys like Franz ? (2011, 19)
(Or)
How were the parents and Mr Hamel responsible for the children’s neglect of the French language ?
Mr Hamel blamed the parents of the boys like Franz. He said that they didn’t care about their studies. They were anxious to put their children to some work and thus have a little more money. Mr Hamel blamed himself also. He said, ‘‘Have I not often sent you to water my flowers instead of learning your lessons ?’’
What did Mr Hamel tell the students about the French language ? What did he ask them to do and why ?
He told them that French was the most beautiful language in the world. He said that it was the clearest and the most logical language. He wanted his people to keep it alive and never forget it.
What happened when the church clock struck twelve ?
There were sounds of the midday prayer (Angelus). At the same moment, the sound of trumpets by Prussian soldiers was heard. They were returning from their drill. Mr Hamel stood up to say something. But something choked him and he could say nothing. He took a big piece of chalk and wrote in big letters, “Long Live France !”
What was the mood in the classroom when Mr Hamel gave his last French lesson ?
There was a mood of sadness in the classroom. There was complete silence everywhere. Even the old people of the village had come to attend the last lesson. Everyone in the class listened attentively to whatever Mr Hamel said.
What had the narrator counted on to enter the school unnoticed ?
Usually, the school began with a lot of commotion. The opening and closing of desks, lessons repeated in loud unison and the teacher’s ruler rapping on the table produced deafening noises. The narrator had counted on the commotion to enter the school unnoticed.
Franz thinks, ‘‘Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons ?’’ What does this tell us about the attitude of the Frenchmen ?
It tells us about the Frenchmen’s love for their own country and their own language. This love is in their blood and can’t be finished as long as they are alive. One can enslave their body but not their spirit. You can’t make a bird sing in another bird’s voice. Similarly, you can’t make a Frenchman love another nation’s language over and above his own language.
How did Mr Hamel say farewell to his students and the people of the town ?
Mr Hamel was too choked with emotion to say anything. He just stood up from his chair, took a piece of chalk, and wrote on the blackboard in large words : ‘‘Long Live France !’’ Thus he said farewell to his students and the people of the town.
Why did Mr Hamel write ‘Vive La France’ on the blackboard ?
‘Vive La France’ means ‘Long Live France’. Hamel wrote these words on the blackboard because he was too emotional at that time to be able to say anything more.
‘We’ve all a great deal to reproach ourselves with,’ said Mr Hamel. Refer to the context and explain what he wanted to convey to his students.
By the given statement, Mr Hamel wanted to convey that it was not Franz only who had done something wrong. He said that everyone, including himself, has done some or the other thing wrong.
How did Mr Hamel make his last lesson a special one ? What did he emphasize in it ?
Mr Hamel made his last lesson a special one by making it dedicated to the beauty of the French language. He emphasized the fact that when the people are enslaved, they have the key to their prison as long as they hold fast to their language.
How is the mother tongue important to a person ? What does Mr Hamel, the teacher say about it ?
Mr Hamel says that when people are enslaved, they can be said to have the key to their prison as long as they hold fast to their language. So the mother tongue is very important to a person.
The order from Berlin banning teaching of French stunned everyone. Comment.
(Or)
The order from Berlin created a great enthusiasm in the school. Comment.
As we know from the story, ‘The Last Lesson’, the Prussian forces had run over many parts of France. Alsace and Lorraine were two of the French districts that had come under Prussian rule. Prussian rulers disallowed the teaching of French in the schools. Instead, German was ordered to be taught in those schools. Mr Hamel was a very devoted teacher in one of the schools. He had served the school for 40 years, but he was asked to leave and his place was to be taken over by the newly appointed German teacher. The day described in the story is the day when Mr Hamel was to give his last lesson and the general attitude of the students is shown by the example of Franz. The order from Berlin left everybody stunned. The students now repented the fact that they never cared for their language and whiled away their time in other useless activities. The old people from the village also came to attend Mr Hamel’s last lesson. There was a renewed zeal in everyone’s heart to learn as much as they possibly could. Mr Hamel gave his last lesson with more devotion than ever. There was a flurry of activity seen in the class. But by the end of his last lesson, Mr Hamel was lost in grief and the whole atmosphere became tense. The people now realized how valuable their language was to them. But the time once lost is lost forever.
What changes did the narrator find in his school when the orders from Berlin came ?
The narrator found the whole atmosphere of the school changed. The school usually began with a great bustle. Lots of noises and sounds coming from inside the school could be heard in the street. For example, the opening and closing of desks could be heard. During the school hours, children could be heard repeating their lessons loudly in unison. The rapping of the teacher’s rod on the table could also be heard. But now it was all quiet. It looked like a quiet Sunday morning. And then the narrator found that everything inside the class had also changed. The teacher, Mr Hamel, didn’t have his iron rod in his hand, which he always had with him. Now it was under his arm. It was a symbol of his authority having been put under check. And he was not in his usual dress also. It was the dress that he wore on the days of inspection only. And the biggest shock that came to the narrator was when Mr Hamel told about the orders from Berlin. Now there was going to be no teaching of French in the school. Orders had come to teach the students only German. So it was Mr Hamel’s last day at school. A new teacher was to take his place. The whole atmosphere of the school had thus changed from noisy to gloom.
Describe the effect on the life at school, produced by the passing of Alsace and Lorraine into Prussian hands.
The whole atmosphere in the school was now changed. The school usually began with a great bustle. Lots of noises and sounds coming from the school could be heard in the street. For example, the opening and closing of desks could be heard. Children repeated their lessons loudly in unison. The rapping of the teacher’s rod on the table could also be heard. But now it was all quiet. It looked like a quiet Sunday morning. The teacher, Mr Hamel, didn’t have his iron rod in his hand. Now it was under his arm. And he was not in his usual dress. It was the dress that he wore on the days of inspection only. He was wearing it because it was his last day at that school. Now there was going to be no teaching of French there. The country had passed into Prussian hands and orders had come that only German would be taught in the school. Everybody was crestfallen at this unfortunate change.
What particular things did Franz notice when he took his seat in the classroom ?
The first thing Franz noticed was his teacher’s very fine dress. He was wearing a beautiful green coat and a frilled shirt. He had a little black silk cap. It was all embroidered. Mr Hamel never wore it except on inspection and prize days. The whole school seemed very strange. But the thing that surprised Franz most was at the back of the room. The village people were sitting there on the back benches. They were as quiet as the children in the class. They included old Hauser, the former mayor, the former postmaster, and many others. Everybody looked sad. Hauser had brought with him an old primer. He was holding it open on his knees. His great spectacles were lying across the pages.
How was Mr Hamel a different teacher while giving his last lesson ?
While giving his last lesson, Mr Hamel was different both in his dress and behaviour. That day, he was wearing a dress that he wore only on the days of inspection and prize-giving. He was wearing a beautiful green coat and a frilled shirt. He had a little black silk cap that was all embroidered. Usually, Mr Hamel had an iron rod in his hand. But that day he had it under his arm. Usually, he was very strict, but that day he was quite soft in his tone and words. While giving his lessons, Mr Hamel always looked full of energy, but that energy was all gone. He knew that French would no longer be taught there and his students would forget all that he had taught them so far. Naturally, he was different while giving his last lesson.
What is the effect of the order from Berlin on the people especially on Mr Hamel as described in, ‘The Last Lesson’ ?
A shocking order has come from Berlin. According to this order, only German is to be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine, the two French-speaking districts. So Mr Hamel, the French teacher of Franz’s school, is going to leave the school forever. The elders of the village come to school to thank Mr Hamel for his forty years of faithful service. They sit on the last benches with the students. Mr Hamel declares that it is his last lesson in the French. Then Mr Hamel opens a book of French grammar and reads out his last lesson. Everyone in the class listens to him with rapt attention. They had never been serious in learning French in their life. And now, there will be no teaching of French in their district. This is the reason why everybody is filled with regret during the last lesson. After giving the students and the villagers a writing assignment, Mr Hamel sits motionless in his chair. He gazes at everything around him one by one. It seems as if he wants to fix in his mind everything before going from there. He is very sad. It has broken his heart to think that he has to go from there forever.
What were Mr Hamel’s opening words to the class and what effect did these words have on Franz ?
Mr Hamel said in a very gentle tone, “My children, this is the last lesson I shall give you. The order has come from Berlin to teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. The new master comes tomorrow. This is your last French lesson. I want you to be very attentive.’’ These words were to Franz like a thunderclap. It was going to be his last lesson and he hardly knew how to write. He was full of regret for not learning his lessons. His books had always seemed to him a nuisance. He thought them too heavy to carry. But now he saw them as old friends that he could not give up. It was a big shock to him that Mr Hamel was going away and he would never see him again. He forgot all about his ruler and his cranky nature. He was to him now a very lovable person.
What did Mr Hamel ask Franz to recite and what was the result ?
Mr Hamel asked Franz to recite the rule for participles. But Franz got mixed up on the first words. He kept standing and holding on to his desk. His heart was beating fast. He did not dare to look up. Mr Hamel did not scold him. He only said that it was a bad habit to say, ‘‘I’ll learn tomorrow.” He said that it was the trouble with all the people of that district. Mr Hamel blamed Franz’s parents also. He said that they were anxious to put him to some work and thus have a little more money. And then he said, “I have been to blame also. Have I not often sent you to water my flowers instead of learning your lessons ? And when I wanted to go fishing, did I not just give you a holiday ?”
How did Franz’s feelings about Mr Hamel and school change ?
One day when Franz reached his school, he found many village people occupying the back benches in the classroom. He came to know that it was the last lesson that Mr Hamel was to teach them. The orders had come from Berlin that from now onwards only German was to be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorrain, the two French speaking districts. It shocked Franz. He was now full of regret. He repented for not learning his lessons. The school which he considered boring earlier, now became a very interesting place for him. He felt he would miss the school from next day. Mr Hamel who appeared to him cranky, now appeared a lovable teacher to him. Suddenly, in his heart arose a love for the books. The news that the Prussians had taken over his district changed Franz’s feelings about Mr Hamel and his school completely.
What did the French teacher tell his students in his last French lesson ? What impact did it have on them ? Why ?
In his last French lesson, the teacher told his students about the beauty of the French language. He said that it was the most beautiful language in the world. He called it the clearest and the most logical of all languages. He said that when the people are enslaved, they can be said to have the key to their prison as long as they hold fast to their language. Then he opened a book of French grammar and read out his last lesson. After his lesson in grammar, the teacher gave a lesson in writing. Everyone set to work in writing. Now it was all very quiet. Some beetles flew in, but nobody paid any attention to them. There were no usual noises in the classroom. Even the old people of the village had come to thank the teacher for his services. And the teacher’s last lesson had a deep impact on them. The students listened to him with rapt attention. To them learning French seemed to them to be so easy.
Franz’s attitude towards school as well as towards Mr Hamel changes when he comes to know about the take-over of his village by Prussians. Do you agree ? Discuss with reference to ‘The Last Lesson’.
Franz did not like his school. He often absented himself from school. He liked to spend his days out of doors. He usually got late for school. He would not care about learning his lessons. He was not good at studies. His French teacher, Mr Hamel, used to scold him. Franz did not like his teacher at all. But one day when Franz reaches his school, he finds many grown-up people sitting among the students. He comes to know that it is the last lesson that Mr Hamel is going to teach them. The order has come from Berlin to teach only German in the schools of Alsace. This comes as a big shock to Franz. He is now full of regret. He feels sorry for not learning his lessons. School which appeared to him very boring earlier, now becomes a very important place for him. He feels he will miss the school from next day. Mr Hamel who appeared to him cranky, now becomes a good teacher for him. He suddenly develops love for his books. Thus the news that the Prussians have taken over his village, changes Franz’s attitude towards his school and Mr Hamel completely.
Everybody during the last lesson is filled with regret. Comment.
A shocking order has come from Berlin. According to this order, only German is to be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine, the two French-speaking districts. So Mr Hamel, the French teacher of Franz’s school, is going to leave the school for ever. The elders of the village come to school to thank Mr Hamel for his forty years of faithful service. They sit on the last benches with the students. Mr Hamel declares that it is his last lesson in French. He tells the students about the beauty of the French language. He calls it the clearest and the most logical of all languages. He asks his people to keep it alive and never forget it. Then Mr Hamel opens a book of French grammar and reads out his last lesson. Everyone in the class listens to him with rapt attention and learning French seems to them to be very easy. They had never been serious in learning French in their life. So they can neither speak nor write their own language properly. And now, there will be no teaching of French in their district. This is the reason why everybody is filled with regret during the last lesson.
How different from usual was the atmosphere at the school on the day of the last lesson ?
(Or)
How did the order from Berlin change the situation in the school ?
The whole atmosphere in the school was now changed. The school usually began with a great bustle. Lots of noises and sounds coming from the school could be heard in the street. For example, the opening and closing of desks could be heard. Children repeated their lessons loudly in unison. The rapping of the teacher’s rod on the table could also be heard. But now it was all quiet. It looked like a quiet Sunday morning. The teacher, Mr Hamel, didn’t have his iron rod in his hand. Now it was under his arm. And he was not in his usual dress. Today, it was the dress that he wore on the days of inspection only. Today, he was wearing it because it was his last day at that school. From that day on there was going to be no teaching of French there. The country had passed into Prussian hands and orders had come from Berlin that only German would be taught in the school. Everybody was crestfallen at this unfortunate change.
Our language is a part of our culture and we are proud of it. Describe how regretful M. Hamel and the village elders are for having neglected their native language, French.
(Or)
Our native language is part of our culture and we are proud of it. How does the presence of village elders in the classroom and M. Hamel’s last lesson show their love for French ?
We all love our native land, our culture and our native language. But often we take all these for granted and feel the pain of losing them only when we have actually lost them. And this happened in the case of those who lived in the French districts of Alsace and Lorraine. The natives living here never cared to learn their own language. But when these two districts were captured by the Prussians, the teaching of French in the schools of these two districts was disallowed. The French teacher of Franz’s school had to leave the school for ever. The elders of the village came to school to thank Mr Hamel for his forty years of faithful service. They sat on the last benches with the students. Mr Hamel declared that it was his last lesson in French. He told the students about the beauty of the French language. He called it the clearest and the most logical of all languages. He asked his people to keep it alive and never forget it. Then Mr. Hamel opened a book of French grammar and read out his last lesson. Everyone in the class listened to him with rapt attention. Learning French seemed to them to be very easy. They had never been serious in learning French in their life. So they could neither speak nor write their own language properly. And now, when there would be no teaching of French in their district, they were all full of regret.
Educating children is the responsibility of society. Justify the statement in view of ‘The Last Lesson’.
No doubt it is the responsibility of the society to educate the children. Children are future of a nation and educated children are its strength. But it is a sad fact that in many parts of the world, much attention is not paid to the education of the children. In this story, M Hamel admits that even the parents and teachers don’t fulfil their responsibility towards the children. While giving his last lesson to the class, he says to Franz, “Your parents were not anxious enough to have you learn. They preferred you to work on a farm, at the milk or so as to have a little more money. And I’ve been to blame also. I have often sent you to water my flowers instead of learning your lesson.” When the French districts of Alsace and Lorraine passed into Prussian hands, the new Prussian rulers disallowed the teaching of French in the schools. Orders had come from Berlin that only German would be taught. Now the people of these districts badly regretted why they hadn’t ever given importance to education. They never really cared to learn their language. They had never shown any interest in educating their children. Despite being French, they could neither speak nor write their own language properly. If they had fulfilled their responsibility of educating the children, they would have learnt reading, writing and speaking their own language.
