SUMMARY
Alphonse Daudet’s short novella The Last Lesson explores the loss of freedom and language. It takes place in Alsace, a portion of France that Germany conquered following the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–1871 in that country. A small child named Franz, a pupil in M. Hamel’s French class, tells the tale.
When Franz shows up to school on the day of the narrative, he discovers that something has changed. Villagers are crammed into the classroom, and M. Hamel is dressed to the nines. Franz quickly discovers that because the new German authorities have mandated that all instruction be delivered in German, today is the last day that French will be taught in the school.
M. Hamel urges his students to always remember their French language and culture in a heartfelt and emotional parting speech. He advises students to value their language because it is a crucial component of their identity.
Franz and the other classmates make a promise to never forget their French at the conclusion of the story. They are determined to preserve their language and culture for future generations because they recognise how important it is.
The Last Lesson is a stirring tale that examines the concepts of identity, language, and loss. It serves as a reminder of how crucial it is to maintain one’s culture and language, despite oppression.
The following are some salient lessons to be drawn from the story:
- the significance of culture and language.
- the loss of identity and freedom.
- the effectiveness of schooling.
- the significance of never assuming anything
What does the title “The Last Lesson” mean?
Because it is about the final French lesson that will be offered in the town of Alsace, the narrative is titled The Last Lesson. This is the last day that French will be taught in schools because the German government has mandated that all education be performed in German.
The concept of loss and the significance of language and culture are both reflected in the story’s title. For the people of Alsace, the loss of the French language represents the loss of independence and identity. The tale also demonstrates the value of education, as M. Hamel’s students are motivated to remember their French by his moving parting address.
Irony can also be seen in the story’s title, which implies that the lesson is the final one the pupils will ever learn. Although the session is technically over, Franz and the other students make a promise to never forget their French as the story comes to a close. The narrative demonstrates how, despite tyranny, language and culture have their enduring power.
Who is The Last Lesson’s primary character?
Franz, a little child who lives in Alsace, a part of France that Germany acquired following the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–1871—is the main character of The Last Lesson. Franz, a student in M. Hamel’s French class, is the protagonist of the narrative, which is told from his perspective.
Franz initially shows little interest in his studies and does not recognise the value of learning French. On the day of the narrative, he finds something different when he gets to school.Villagers are crammed into the classroom, and M. Hamel is dressed to the nines. Franz quickly discovers that because the new German authorities have mandated that all instruction be delivered in German, today is the last day that French will be taught in the school.
M. Hamel urges his students to always remember their French language and culture in a heartfelt and emotional parting speech. He advises students to value their language because it is a crucial component of their identity.
By listening to M. Hamel’s speech, Franz is moved and comes to appreciate the value of his French heritage. He makes a promise to himself to never lose his French and to pass it on to future generations.
The Last Lesson is a narrative that emphasises the value of culture and language. Additionally, it is a tale about the value of education and the need to never take anything for granted. Franz is the main character, and the narrative centres on his journey of discovering the value of his French language and culture.
