THE LAST LESSON
[Link] a thunder clap these words were to me!" Which were the words that shocked and
surprised little Franz?
Answer:When [Link] mounted on the chair and announced that he was there to teach his last
French lesson that day, Franz was shocked and surprised. He felt very guilty for deliberately ignoring
to learn his native language and he suddenly developed a strange fascination for his language and
his school.
Q2. What changes came over little Franz after he heard [Link]'s announcement?
Answer:When [Link] announced that this was to be their last French class a grim realisation
dawned on Franz that he could hardly write his language and now he was being deprived of the
opportunity to learn it. He felt very guilty of neglecting his classes and escaping school. The thought
of losing his teacher, M. Hamel, also pained him.
Q3. Franz thinks, "Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?" What does this tell us
about the attitude of the Frenchmen? (All India 2011)
Answer: During his last French class Franz hears the pigeons cooing and wonders if the Prussians
would make them sing in German too. His thought reveals the Frenchmen's fear of complete
domination by the Germans whereby they would try to enslave even their minds.
Q4. How did M Hamel say farewell to his students and the people of the town? (All India 2012)
Answer. At the end of his 'Last Lesson',. M Hamel stood up to say farewell to his students and the
people of the town. He tried to speak, but overwhelming emotion choked his voice. He then wrote
as large as he could on the blackboard 'Vive La France'; then he dismissed the class with a gesture
with his hand.
Q5. Our native language is part of our culture and we are proud of it. How does the presence of
village elders in the classroom and [Link]'s last lesson show their love for French? (All India 2016)
Answer: Acquiring power over the French made the Prussians so dominating that they decided to
impose even their language on them. So on the day of the last French lesson the village elders were
seated on the back seats of the classroom. They felt sad and sorry for not having gone to school
more often. Their presence was also their way of thanking their master, [Link] for his forty years
of faithful service. [Link] himself had put on his fine Sunday clothes in honour of the last French
lesson. Assuming the role of mentor he advised the class to safeguard and preserve their language
among themselves and never forget it. He called French the most beautiful and logical language in
the world. By the end of the class [Link] was so choked with emotion and could not speak so he
took a piece of chalk and wrote on the blackboard "Vive la France!" (Long Live France) and then
dismissed the class.
Q6. Why did Franz think of running away from the school that morning?
Answer:Franz was tempted to run away and spend the day outside instead of attending school as it
was a warm and bright day and he wanted to watch the Prussian soldiers' drill. Moreover he had not
done his lesson on participles from which his teacher, M. Hamel was going to question and feared a
scolding from his teacher.
Q7. When Franz reached his school, what unusual situation did he observe?
Answer:The usual hustle and bustle of the morning hours could not be seen on the day of the last
lesson. It was all very still and quiet as it used to be on a Sunday morning. The din( loud unpleasant
noise) of opening and closing of desks and the rapping of the teacher's ruler on the table could not
be heard. The students had already taken their places and even the village elders had gathered
there.
Q8."But the thing that surprised me most was to see " What surprised Franz most in the class?
Answer:The thing that surprised Franz the most when he entered the classroom was to see the
village people sitting as quietly as the students on the back benches of the class that were always
empty. This included old Hauser, the former mayor, the former postmaster and several others.
Q9 After sitting down at his desk what unusual things did Franz observe about M. Hamel?
Answer: Franz realised that M. Hamel was not his usual cranky self and said nothing to him even
though he was late for the class. Moreover their teacher was wearing his beautiful green coat, his
frilled shirt and the little black silk cap, all embroidered, that he wore only on special days in school.
Q10. What was the order from Berlin and what changes did it cause in the school? (All India 2013)
Answer:The shocking order from Berlin that only German would be taught in the schools of Alsace
and Lorraine saddened and hurt the pride of the French people. So as a gesture to express their
solidarity for their language the village elders also attended school for the last French lesson. The
usual hustle and bustle was missing from school and it was unusually quiet. M. Hamel was also
dressed in his formal suit which he wore only on special occasions.