1) Franz is shocked to learn that his teacher M. Hamel is giving his last French lesson as the school is now under Prussian control and only German will be taught. 2) M. Hamel dresses formally and gives a moving speech about the importance of preserving their French language and culture. 3) As the clock strikes twelve and it is time for the lesson to end, M. Hamel writes "Vive la France" on the blackboard, realizing too late the value of his French education.

1. THE LAST
LESSON BY- ALPHONSE DAUDET

2. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alphonse Daudet (1840-97)
• Known for short stories and novels having
mixture of realism, humour and sentiment
• Born at Numes, France
• Father, Vincent Daudet- silk manufacturer
• Attended school in Lyon
• Began writing poetry and fiction since age
of 14
• Married Julia Allard in 1867
• Joined army, fought in Franco- Prussian
War
• France’s defeat had deep impact

3. STORY BACKGROUND
• The Last Lesson is set in the days of the
Franco-Prussian War
• (1870-1871) in which France was defeated by
Prussia led by Bismarck.
• Prussia then consisted of what now are the
nations of Germany, Poland and parts of
Austria.
• In this story, the French districts of Alsace and
Lorraine have passed into Prussian hands.
• Teaching of French is discontinued in these
regions.
• French teachers are asked to leave.
• Changes in France’s fortunes are seen through
the eyes of a young boy, Franz, from the
border region of Alsace.

4. Theme of the lesson
Linguistic Chauvinism
Pain inflicted upon people after the region has
been conquered and their right to use their native
language is taken away
Sub-themes of the lesson
Student attitude to learning
Teachers attitude to learning
Parents’ attitude to education of a child

8. SUMMARY IN POINTS
• Franz, a schoolboy, late for class; fears being scolded by teacher, M.
Hamel
• Hasn’t done his homework, memorizing the rules of participles
• Wants to run off and spend day outside
• Enjoys being in open field watching Prussian soldiers drilling, birds
chirping
• Resists and decides to go to school

9. SUMMARY IN POINTS
• On way sees a crowd in front of bulletin board, that had been
displaying all bad news for the last two years
• Bad news like, the lost battles, the draft and the orders of the
commanding officer
• Doesn’t wait to read as thinks what new can be there
• Blacksmith calls not to hurry as there is plenty of time, thinks he is
making fun of him

10. SUMMARY IN POINTS
• Expects to enter in the class without being noticed as usually there
is a lot of noise and disturbance due to opening /closing of desks,
lessons repeated loudly in unison and teacher rapping his ruler on
the table.
• Shocked as it was so still/silent like Sunday morning
• All seated, teacher M. Hamel dressed formally walking up and
down. Back benches occupied by the villagers.

11. SUMMARY IN POINTS
• M. Hamel announces that this was the last lesson as order from
Berlin has come. From tomorrow, only German will be taught by a
new teacher.
• Franz is overwhelmed, regrets not taking his lessons seriously.
• M. Hamel tells everyone about the beauty of the French language
(mother tongue); and it is the key to their prison so everyone must
keep it alive and strong.
• As the clock strikes twelve, the time to end class, M. Hamel writes
VIVE LA FRANCE on the blackboard.

12. POINTS TO REMEMBER
Franz enjoys- spending day out on bright ,warm days
chirping birds in woods
watching Prussian soldiers drilling
News on Bulletin Board- bad news for last two years,
about battles lost, drafts
orders of the commanding officer
Unusual about the school on that day- silent as Sunday school, no moving of desks,
no lesson reciting in unison,
no rapping of ruler on the table,
M. Hamel dressed up formally,
back benches occupied by village people ,
atmosphere strange and solemn, all appearing sad

13. POINTS TO REMEMBER
Dress of M. Hamel- beautiful green coat,
frilled shirt,
little black silk cap, all embroidered
usually worn on special days (inspection, prize days)
Words that were ‘thunderclap’ – announcement made by M. Hamel – last lesson he
will give,
order from Berlin- only German language to be taught;
new teacher to come from tomorrow
Franz shocked (startled) to hear the unexpected news that’s why
‘thunderclap’ to him

14. POINTS TO REMEMBER
Feeling of Franz upon hearing the announcement – shocked,
feeling bad that he didn’t bother reading the bulletin board before
coming to school,
regret that he had never been serious about his classes, preferred
being outside,
had never been attentive in class,
hadn’t done his homework,
didn’t know his language properly and now would not get chance to
learn it.
Books which seemed heavy earlier now are very important, like old
friends, to him; doesn’t want to lose them;
realizes that special dress and villagers on back benches are to pay
tribute to the language and M. Hamel for his forty years service.

15. POINTS TO REMEMBER
Reaction of M. Hamel – Calm;
Kind and patient teacher on that day
Doesn’t scold Franz for not doing the work,
Blames himself and other elders for not taking education/
learning French seriously;
People of Alsace in the habit of postponing things for
tomorrow;
Parents preferring children to work on a farm or at a mill,
Teacher sending students to water flowers instead of
encouraging them to learn their lessons, etc.

16. POINTS TO REMEMBER
Changes in Franz- Attentive,
Listens carefully;
Sensitive to the current situation,
Feels bad for M. Hamel;
Realises his mistake, wants to learn all in a day;
Realises that M. Hamel is a kind and patient teacher and should
be respected for his work and contribution to teaching for past
forty (40) years,
Respect increases for M. Hamel
French language as described by M. Hamel- the most beautiful language in the
world, the clearest, the most logical language;
All must guard it well and never forget it as it will prove to be a
key to their prison

17. POINTS TO REMEMBER
Clock strikes twelve – Time of change- from French to German – has come,
Arrival of Prussian soldiers
Time for M. Hamel to leave
M. Hamel’s last words – Couldn’t speak as was too emotional,
Instead wrote on the blackboard
“Vive la France” (meaning ‘Long live France’)

19. Additional Material
Short film -- https://youtu.be/lEd-Mcn-UJg