Summary of The Last Lesson

 

The Last lesson

About the author and lesson: 

The Last lesson is written by Alphonse Daudet. He is a French writer. He wrote short stories and novels. The present lesson takes place at the time of the Franco-Persian war. The lesson tells about the importance of mother tongue. M. Hamel is a teacher of French and tries to convince Franz and the villagers about the French language.

Summary:

Franz was late to school that day. He was not ready to go school because of the assignment had been given by his French teacher M. Hamel. It was on the participles. Franz thought that he would pass his time outside. He saw the Persian soldier doing the drill nearby. Further, he listened to birds chirping. All these were tempting him to skip school. At last, he was ready to go to school.

He saw the silence on the way. The road to school was always full of chaos and noise. But that day showed silence and quiet. He was surprised over it. Then he noticed that the villagers were reading the bulletin board. There was a blacksmith Watcher who said to Franz that he didn’t take tension for reaching school. Because there was plenty of time to go the school. By that time, Franz saw the class through the window that the students were already in their places. At that time, M Hamel was taking a round of the class with his iron rod. Franz was afraid of punishment and always thought of the teacher as a strict person. But, that day, he was treated well by Hamel. Franz further saw that Hamel was in the new dress. He put on a black coat and cap on that day. He usually put on it on the occasion of prize and inspection day. But that day Franz didn’t understand of his wearing dress.  

Then he saw that the villagers were also attending the class. Hamel started his lesson on the French language. He informed all that it was his last lesson for them. Because the Persian soldiers captivated two districts of France. These were Alsace and Lorraine. There was a decision taken by the Persian that German would be taught at these two districts. So there was no need of French language teacher to teach. Therefore M Hamel was leaving the city the following day. At that moment Franz realised that the villagers were there to honour and respect Hamel for his forty years’ service. Even Hauser, the old man brought a primer book in the class and became emotional.

M Hamel started the lesson by asking Franz to recite. But he stood quiet and didn’t answer to it. Hamel said that it was the fault of the parents and teachers. Later on, he pointed out that Franz could sit down. That day Franz was regretting and forgot all the negative points of his teacher M Hamel. After that, Hamel gave the lesson on history and writing. He took his seat and thought of something. Franz observed that some pigeons were cooing over the roof. He was surprised that they would also speak German. At the same time, Hamel’s sister was packing the trunk and luggage over his class where he was living.

Then he requested that all of them should take care of French. It was only the language to protect in the prison. He was about to say something but choked his words. As soldiers were returning from the drill. So he wrote down on the blackboard “Vive La France!” It meant, "Long live France".

At that time, there was struck off the clock, and it was time for the prayer. So, he made a gesture to all of them to go home.

Conclusion:

The lesson tries to convince that the readers should love their mother tongue. They need to maintain it forever. It is their legacy and taken from their ancestors.

No one can take their mother tongue. It is like their mother who brings up and take care of them.