The Last Lesson By

Alphonse Daudet
 Alphonse Daudet ((1840- 1897)
Alphonse Daudet was a French
short-story writer and novelist,
remembered chiefly as the
author of sentimental tales of
provincial life in the south of
France. He was born on May 13,
1840 at Nimes in France. He was
the son of a silk manufacturer. In
1849 his father had to sell his
factory and move to Lyon.
Alphonse wrote his first poems
 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 old school. Still he gave the last lesson to his
 INTRODUCTION
❖ 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
 SETTING (BACKGROUND)
The present story is set
during the days of Franco
– Prussian War (1870 –
1871) in which France was
defeated by Prussia led by
Bismarck. At that time
Prussia consisted of
Germany, Poland and
some parts of Austria.
 The French districtSETTING
of
Alsace and Lorraine
(BACKGROUND)
were captured by
Germans. The new
master was to come the
next day in a school in
Alsace to teach German
in place of French. The
story tells the effect of
this news on the life at a
school in Alsace
DOMINANT THEME
1.“LINGUISTIC CHAUVINISM” -“Chauvinism” is a
devotion for or against something, just based on
what you feel (not necessarily what you may know).
So, Linguistic chauvinism is the idea that one’s
language is superior to that of others. ‘The Last
Lesson’ very prominently raises the question of
linguistic and cultural hegemony of the colonial and
imperial powers and their lust for controlling the
world and influencing their cultures and identities.
 PROCRASTINATION-A NEGATIVE
HABIT
❖ “The Last Lesson”, beautifully brings out the human

tendency to postpone the learning of things, feeling

❖ It highlights the point that people realise the

1. FRANZ
❖ At the beginning of the story, Franz is depicted as a typical
schoolboy who is more interested in playing outside and
goofing off than in his studies.
❖ As the events unfold, Franz experiences a gradual
awakening to the value of education, particularly the
significance of the French language. This awakening is
triggered by the announcement that the Prussian
government has decreed that only German will be taught
in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine
MAJOR CHARACTERS- FRANZ
❖ As Franz sits through his final French lesson
with M. Hamel, he experiences feelings of regret
and remorse for not having appreciated his
education earlier. He reflects on missed
opportunities and wishes he had paid more
attention in class.
❖ Franz's character also serves as a symbol of the
innocence and vulnerability of youth. His initial
disinterest in school mirrors the carefree nature of
childhood, but as he confronts the harsh realities
of war and cultural suppression, he matures
rapidly and gains a deeper understanding of the
 MAJOR CHARACTERS- FRANZ
Franz can also be seen as a representative
figure for the people of Alsace-Lorraine, whose
identity and culture are under threat from
external forces. His personal journey reflects
the struggles and resilience of his community
as they face the challenges of annexation and
cultural assimilation.
MAJOR CHARACTERS- [Link]
❖ Monsieur Hamel is portrayed as a devoted and
passionate educator who takes his role as a
teacher very seriously. Despite the difficult
circumstances of impending annexation and
the loss of his beloved French language, he
remains committed to imparting knowledge to
his students until the very end.
❖ His reverence for French literature and
language symbolizes his attachment to his
homeland and his commitment to preserving
its identity in the face of external pressures.
MAJOR CHARACTERS- [Link]
● Monsieur Hamel feels a profound sense of
responsibility towards his students and their
education.
● Monsieur Hamel can be interpreted as a symbol
of resistance against cultural assimilation and
oppression. Despite the orders from the Prussian
authorities, he refuses to abandon his principles
or compromise his values.
The story has a few other very
minor characters:
• Wachter: The blacksmith
• M. Hamel’s Sister: Who lives
with Hamel
• Hauser: Is an older gentleman
Thank You