Ch. 01. The Last Lesson – NCERT Class XII English | Complete Analysis & Study Guide

About the Author

Alphonse Daudet (1840–1897) was a French novelist and short-story writer. Born in Nîmes, France, he experienced the Franco-Prussian war firsthand. His writings are characterized by impressionism and a touch of sentimentality.

Key Works

Le Petit Chose (1868)
Tartarin de Tarascon (1872)
Contes du Lundi (Monday Tales) – Collection containing ‘The Last Lesson’

Quick Facts

Nationality: French
Style: Realism / Impressionism
Era: 19th Century

Story Summary

The Setting

The story is set in the districts of Alsace and Lorraine during the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871). Prussia has defeated France, and an order has come from Berlin that only German is to be taught in schools.

Franz’s Reluctance

The narrator, Franz, starts his day late for school. He is afraid of M. Hamel’s scolding because he hasn’t learned his participles. He is tempted to skip school and enjoy the warm, bright day, but he resists and hurries to class.

The Unusual Atmosphere

Franz notices a crowd at the bulletin board but doesn’t stop. Upon reaching school, he finds it strangely quiet, like a Sunday morning. M. Hamel is wearing his fine green coat (usually reserved for inspection days), and the back benches are occupied by village elders, including old Hauser.

The Shocking Announcement

M. Hamel mounts his chair and announces gently that this is their last French lesson. The order has come to teach only German. Franz is thunderstruck. He instantly regrets his wasted time and procrastination.

M. Hamel’s Tribute & The End

M. Hamel praises French as the clearest, most logical language. He blames everyone (parents, himself, students) for neglecting education. The lesson proceeds with deep emotion. Finally, the church clock strikes twelve. Overcome with emotion, M. Hamel cannot speak. He writes “Vive La France!” on the blackboard and dismisses the class with a gesture.

Character Analysis

F

Franz

The Narrator

Naïve Procrastinator Observant Regretful

Initially a carefree boy who dreads school, Franz undergoes a rapid transformation. The shock of losing his language makes him realize its value. He represents the common people who take their heritage for granted until it is threatened.

H

M. Hamel

The Teacher

Patriotic Strict Emotional Dignified

A stern taskmaster with a ruler, he transforms into a tragic, dignified figure in the last lesson. He becomes the embodiment of French identity. His self-reflection shows he is honest about his own shortcomings as a teacher.

Themes & Motifs

Linguistic Chauvinism

The imposition of German on French-speaking people highlights linguistic chauvinism—the aggressive pride in one’s language and the suppression of others. It shows how language is used as a tool of dominance.

Procrastination

“Bah! I have plenty of time. I’ll learn it tomorrow.” This attitude of putting off learning is critiqued. The story illustrates that one day, the opportunity to learn might be taken away forever.

Patriotism & Identity

The story explores how language is intrinsic to national identity. M. Hamel’s statement that their language is the “key to their prison” emphasizes culture as a form of resistance against occupation.

Literary Devices

Metaphor

“Thunderclap” – Used to describe the shock Franz felt when M. Hamel announced it was the last lesson.

Personification

“Prussian soldiers drilling” – Represents the encroaching force. The language itself is personified as a “key” to a prison.

Irony

M. Hamel, who was often strict and cranky, is now soft and kind. The villagers appreciate their language only when they are about to lose it.

Simile

“The school was as quiet as Sunday morning.”

Historical Context

The story is situated in the time of the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871). France, under Napoleon III, was defeated by Prussia (led by Bismarck). Prussia then consisted of what are now the nations of Germany, Poland, and parts of Austria.

Alsace & Lorraine

These were French districts bordering Germany. They have historically switched hands between France and Germany multiple times. In this story, they have just passed into Prussian hands.

Impact on Education

The conquerors often impose their culture to suppress the identity of the conquered. Forbidding French was a strategic move to Germanize the population and sever their ties to France.

NCERT Questions

Q1. What was Franz expected to be prepared with for school that day?

Franz was expected to be prepared with his lesson on participles. M. Hamel had announced that he would question the class on them. Franz had not learned even the first word about them and was afraid of being scolded.

Q2. What did Franz notice that was unusual about the school that day?

Usually, there was a great bustle when school began (opening desks, lessons repeated in unison). However, that day everything was as quiet as Sunday morning. Also, M. Hamel was wearing his beautiful green coat, frilled shirt, and black silk cap. Most surprisingly, the village elders were sitting on the back benches.

Q3. What had been put up on the bulletin-board?

An order from Berlin had been put up on the bulletin board. It stated that only German was to be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. A new master was coming the next day.

Interactive Quiz

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Written Practice

Section B

Analytical Questions (3 Marks, 40-50 words)

Q: Why does the author call the French language ‘the key to their prison’?

Sample Answer: When a people are enslaved, their language serves as a unifying force and a reminder of their identity. Holding fast to it acts as a form of resistance against the oppressor’s cultural dominance, effectively becoming the key to mental and spiritual liberation despite physical imprisonment.

Section D

Long Answer (6 Marks, 120-150 words)

Q: “The order from Berlin aroused a particular zeal in the school.” Comment.

Points to Include:

The usual hustle and bustle was replaced by silence.
M. Hamel was dressed in his ceremonial clothes.
Village elders (Hauser, Postmaster) were present to pay respects.
Students were attentive; even the smallest worked quietly.
M. Hamel taught with unprecedented patience and emotion.
The realization that this was the last lesson transformed the atmosphere from drudgery to reverence.

Key Takeaways

Never take education or your heritage for granted. Procrastination leads to regret.

Language is the essence of a nation’s identity and freedom.

War impacts not just borders, but the daily lives and minds of common school children.

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