Prose Chapter 1 - The Last Lesson

Written by the French story writer and author Alphonse Daudet, The Last Lesson is a story that has the Franco-Prussian war as the backdrop and is set in the 19th century. The story portrays how much a person is connected to the language he or she speaks. It tells us how deep-rooted language is under one’s identity and what happens when an overwhelming enemy force tries to eradicate this bond.  For more information, you may refer to NCERT Solutions For Class 12 English Flamingo The Last Lesson.

Summary

The story starts with a young boy Franz being late for his school. The boy is scared, as M. Hamel, his French teacher had told the students that he would be asking them questions regarding past participles. Even though he did want to bunk school, he ultimately went to attend. He saw that a huge crowd had gathered around a bulletin board. It was the same board through which they got to know about the defeat in the war, droughts and orders of higher officials.

Franz thought that there would be noise and commotion in the class and depended a lot on it to slip inside the classroom unnoticed. However, when he reached school, he saw that everything was quiet, and everyone was seated in their seats. Ashamed that he will be scolded, he entered the classroom. To his surprise, Mr Hamel was rather kind to him and did not rebuke him for being late. He also saw that the villagers had also gathered in the classroom. The former mayor, the old postmaster and a lot of important persons were also present in the class. It was at this moment that Mr Hamel gave everyone the big news.

This was the last French lesson that he was giving. From the next day onwards, German would be the only language to be taught in all of the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. Further, this gave Franz a massive shock. He started regretting not paying more attention to the previous classes. Everyone around him was sad because this was their last French class.

As the lessons start, little Franz was called upon by Mr Hamel to say the rules of participles. He starts fumbling and is lost. It is at this moment that M. Hamel reveals the bitter truth. He says that Franz’s inability to tell the principles is partly Franz’s parents’ and his fault. Then he goes on to explain how French is the most logical and beautiful language ever created.

The lessons begin, and once everyone starts writing, there is pin-drop silence in the whole classroom. Even the kids are not making any noises. At sharp 12 O’ clock, the trumpets blow, and the Prussian army enters. This marked the end of the last French class. Viva La France is what M. Hamel wrote on the board before leaving.

Characters

Franz (The Narrator)

M. Hamel

Old Hauser

Prussian Soldiers

Themes

This story is about one’s deep-rooted love and respect for one’s language. Nothing makes a person happier than being able to speak in their mother tongue. How war affects the ordinary lives of people, and patriotism is also highlighted in this story.

Here at UrbanPro, you are provided with The Last Lesson NCERT Solutions and English Core Class 12 Important Questions with Answers PDF Download for you to comprehend the chapter better.