The last lesson
by Alphonse Daudet
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alphonse Daudet is considered to be one of the most iconic names of French literature. Unlike
many famous writers in world history, Alphonse wasn’t very well educated, and wrote his first
novel at the age of fourteen. Many of Alphonse’s works drew inspiration from instances of his life.
His liaison with a model, and the depressing times of his childhood were reflected in few of his
books. His works ‘Trente ans de Paris’ and ‘Souvenirs d'un homme de lettres’ seemed to be more
like autobiographies. Though he passed away in the final decade of the 19th century, his name still
continues to be popular amongst the citizens of France. A lot of educational institutions in France
have been named after this famous writer. However, he was also criticized by many for being anti-
Jewish and a monarchist. His book ‘Le Nabab’, revolved around a Jewish politician, and spoke
about Alphonse’s strong dislike towards the community. However, Alphonse, till date, is
considered by many literature lovers to be one of the handful writers who portray human emotions
in a very realistic manner.
Introduction
The last lesson’ written by Alphonse Daudet narrates about the year 1870 when the Prussian forces
under Bismarck attacked and captured France. The French districts of Alsace and Lorraine went
into Prussian hands. The new Prussian rulers discontinued the teaching of French in the schools of
these two districts The French teachers were asked to leave. Now M. Hamel could no longer
stay in his school. Still he gave lesson to his students with utmost devotion and sincerity as ever.
One such student of M. Hamel, Franz who dreaded French class and M. Hamel’s iron rod, came to
the school that day thinking he would be punished as he had not learnt his lesson on participles.
But on reaching school he found Hamel dressed in his fine Sunday clothes and the old people of
the village sitting quietly on the back benches. It was due to an order from Berlin. That was the
first day when he realized for the first time that how important French was for him, but it was his
last lesson in French. The story depicts the pathos of the whole situation about how people feel
when they don’t learn their own language. It tells us about the significance of one’s language in
one’s life for the very existence of a race and how important it is to safeguard it.
THEME
“Chauvinism” is a devotion for or against something , just based on what you feel. So, linguistic
chauvinism is the idea that one’s language is superior to that of the [Link] happens
generally when the language is that of the ruling class.
SUB THEME
The attitude of a children and teachers towards learning and teaching.
Gist Of The Lesson
Franz is afraid of going to school as he has not learnt participles.
He wants to enjoy beauty of nature. The bright sunshine, the birds chirruping in the woods,
Prussian soldiers drilling but resisted.
Bulletin board: all bad news, lost battles, the drafts and orders of the commanding officers:
wondered what it could be now
The changes he noticed in the [Link] of noisy classrooms everything was as quiet as
Sunday morning
The teacher does not scold him and told him very kindly to go to his seat
The teacher dressed in his Sunday best.
Villagers occupying the last benches
.
To pay tribute to M. Hamel for his 40 yrs of sincere service and also to express their solidarity
with France.
Hamel making the announcement that that would be the last French lesson; realizes that, that
was what was put up on the bulletin board
Franz realizes that he does not know his own mother tongue
Regretted why he had not taken his lessons seriously.
Also realizes the reason why teacher was dressed in his Sunday best and villagers sitting at the
back.
Hamel realizes that all three, the children , the parents and he himself are to be blamed for
losing respect and regard for the mother tongue
Always keep the mother tongue close to your heart as it is the key to the prison of slavery.
Atmosphere in class: teacher teaching sincerely and patiently, students and others studying with
utmost sincerity.
Franz wonders sarcastically if Prussians could force pigeons to coo in German.
Hamel overcome with emotions could not speak and wrote on the black board “Long Live
France”.
SUMMARY
The last lesson is by the author Alphonse Daudet. In the Last Lesson summary, the author
narrates events about the year 1870 when France was captured by Bismarck led Prussian forces.
Furthermore, the Lorraine and Alsace districts went under Prussian rule. There was the
discontinuation of teaching French in these two districts. There was an order for the French
teachers to leave. Consequently, M. Hamel was not able to stay in his old school. In spite of
this, the last lesson from him was full of devotion and sincerity. One student of M. Hamel was
afraid of him. There was an anticipation of punishment from this student when he came to
school that day. However, he learnt that this will be his last lesson. Soon, he realized the
importance of this subject. This story shows us how people feel when they don’t learn their
language.
