THINK AS YOU READ
Q1. What was Franz expected to be prepared with for school that day?
Ans: That day Franz was expected to be prepared with participles
because M. Hamel had said that he would question them on participles.
Franz did not know anything about participles.
Q2. What did Franz notice that was unusual about the school that
day?
Ans: Usually, when school began, there was a great bustle, which could be
heard out in the street. But it was all very still that day. Everything was as
quiet as Sunday morning. There was no opening or closing of desks. His
classmates were already in their places. The teacher’s great ruler instead
of rapping on the table, was under M. Hamel’s arm.
THINK AS YOU READ
Q1. What was Franz expected to be prepared with for school that day?
Ans: That day Franz was expected to be prepared with participles because M.
Hamel had said that he would question them on participles. Franz did not know
anything about participles.
Q2. What did Franz notice that was unusual about the school that day?
Ans: Usually, when school began, there was a great bustle, which could be heard
out in the street. But it was all very still that day. Everything was as quiet as
Sunday morning. There was no opening or closing of desks. His classmates were
already in their places. The teacher’s great ruler instead of rapping on the table,
was under M. Hamel’s arm.
Q3. What had been put up on the bulletin-board?
Ans: For the last two years all the bad news had come from the bulletin-board. An
order had come from Berlin to teach only German in the schools of Alsace and
Lorraine. The Germans had put up this notice on the bulletin-board.
THINK AS YOU READ
Q1. What changes did the order from Berlin cause in school that day?
Ans: M. Hamel had put on his best dress—his beautiful green coat, his frilled shirt
and the little black silk cap, all embroidered. The whole school seemed so strange
and solemn. On the back benches that were always empty, the elderly village
people were sitting quietly like the kids.
Q2. How did Franz’s feelings about M. Hamel and school change?
Ans: Franz came to know that it was the last lesson in French that M. Hamel
would give them. From the next day they will be taught only German. Then he felt
sorry for not learning his lessons properly. His books, which seemed a nuisance
and a burden earlier were now old friends. His feelings about M. Hamel also
changed. He forgot all about his ruler and how cranky he was.
UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT
Q1. The people? in this story suddenly realise how precious their language is
to them. What shows you this? Why does this happen?
Ans: M. Hamel told the students and villagers that henceforth only German would
be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. Those who called themselves
Frenchmen would neither be able to speak nor write it. He praised French as the
most beautiful, the clearest and most logical language in the world. He said that for
the enslaved people, their language was the key to their prison. Then the people
realised how precious their language was to them. This shows people’s love for
their own culture, traditions and country. Pride in one’s language reflects pride in
the motherland.
Q2. Franz thinks, “Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeonsT’
What could this mean?(There could he more than one answer.)
Ans: This comment of Franz shows a Frenchman’s typical reaction to the
imposition of learning German, the language of the conquerors. Being deprived of
the learning of mother tongue would mean cutting off all bonds with the
motherland. Teaching the pigeons to sing in German indicates how far the
Germans would go in their attempts of linguistic chauvinism
1. How does Alphonse Daudet use irony to deliver the theme of linguistic and
cultural loss?
👉 The story is full of irony. When people realize the value of their language, it is
already too late. Students like Franz, who ignored their lessons, suddenly want to
learn. M. Hamel, who sometimes scolded students, now becomes emotional and
patriotic. The villagers, who never came to school, attend the last lesson. The
biggest irony is that people appreciate their language only when it is being taken
away. The story teaches us not to take our culture and language for granted.
2. What message does the story convey about language and identity?
👉 The story conveys that language is a vital part of our identity and culture. Losing
it means losing a part of who we are. Through Franz's regret and M. Hamel’s
patriotic speech, the author shows that people must protect and respect their
language. It is not just a subject in school, but a symbol of history, tradition, and
freedom. The story teaches us that we should never be careless about our language
or culture.
3. Describe M. Hamel's character. How does he emerge as a patriot and a
dedicated teacher?
👉 M. Hamel is a strict but sincere teacher. He loves his language and country
deeply. On the last day, he is kind, emotional, and dressed in his best clothes. He
doesn't scold anyone and teaches with passion. He explains the importance of
French and shows that language is the soul of a nation. His dedication is shown by
his sadness at leaving, his long service of 40 years, and his love for teaching. He is
truly a patriot and an ideal teacher.
4. Franz regrets not learning French seriously. What lesson can students
today learn from his realization?
👉 Franz regrets his laziness and wishes he had studied seriously. Students today
can learn that we should value education and not take learning lightly. Language
and knowledge are important for identity, growth, and freedom. The story teaches
that we often realize the value of something only when it is gone. So, students
should use their time wisely and respect their teachers and language.