Class 12 English (Flamingo) – Chapter 1 Notes
The Last Lesson by Alphonse Daudet
About the Author
• Alphonse Daudet was a French writer.
• He wrote stories that often showed deep emotions and love for the country.
Background of the Story
• The story is set during the Franco■Prussian War (1870–71).
• France lost the regions of Alsace and Lorraine to Prussia (Germany).
• The new rulers ordered that German should replace French in schools.
Main Characters
• Franz – A schoolboy and the narrator of the story.
• M. Hamel – The French teacher who had been teaching for 40 years.
• Hauser – An old villager who attends the last lesson.
Short Summary
• Franz is late for school and afraid because he did not learn the lesson on participles.
• On the way to school he sees a crowd at the bulletin board where war news is posted.
• When he enters the classroom everything is very quiet and serious.
• M. Hamel announces that it is the last French lesson because German will now be taught in schools.
• Villagers come to attend the class to show respect for their language and teacher.
• Franz realizes the importance of his language and regrets wasting time earlier.
• At the end M. Hamel writes 'Vive La France' on the board.
Themes
• Love for mother tongue
• Patriotism
• Regret for wasting time
• Importance of education
Important Message
The Last Lesson by Alphonse Daudet
About the Author
• Alphonse Daudet was a French writer.
• He wrote stories that often showed deep emotions and love for the country.
Background of the Story
• The story is set during the Franco■Prussian War (1870–71).
• France lost the regions of Alsace and Lorraine to Prussia (Germany).
• The new rulers ordered that German should replace French in schools.
Main Characters
• Franz – A schoolboy and the narrator of the story.
• M. Hamel – The French teacher who had been teaching for 40 years.
• Hauser – An old villager who attends the last lesson.
Short Summary
• Franz is late for school and afraid because he did not learn the lesson on participles.
• On the way to school he sees a crowd at the bulletin board where war news is posted.
• When he enters the classroom everything is very quiet and serious.
• M. Hamel announces that it is the last French lesson because German will now be taught in schools.
• Villagers come to attend the class to show respect for their language and teacher.
• Franz realizes the importance of his language and regrets wasting time earlier.
• At the end M. Hamel writes 'Vive La France' on the board.
Themes
• Love for mother tongue
• Patriotism
• Regret for wasting time
• Importance of education
Important Message
