12 Questions
What war was going on during the events described?
France-Prussian War
What were the two French districts conquered by Prussia?
Alsace and Lorraine
Why did Berlin order the French districts to stop teaching French in schools?
To teach German instead
Why did Franz develop a soft corner for his language, nation, and M Hamel?
After realizing he won't learn French anymore
Why did the villagers fill the last benches in the classroom that day?
To applaud M Hamel
What did Franz notice when he entered the classroom that day?
The last benches were filled by villagers
What is the backdrop of the story 'The Last Lesson'?
The Franco-Prussian War of the 1870s
What is the main theme of 'The Last Lesson'?
Longing for mother tongue and culture when lost in war
Describe the character M Hamel from the story.
Dedicated, determined, passionate about teaching French, strict, nationalist
How did the political situation impact children in 'The Last Lesson'?
It made them develop a love for their mother tongue and culture
What behavior does the story explain in humans regarding attachment?
To feel attached to something that is about to be lost
What territories were conquered by the Prussian men in the story?
Alsace and Lorraine in France
Study Notes
The Backdrop of 'The Last Lesson'
- The story takes place during the Franco-Prussian War.
The Conquest of French Districts
- The two French districts, Alsace and Lorraine, were conquered by Prussia.
The Suppression of French Language
- Berlin ordered the French districts to stop teaching French in schools, forcing the use of German instead.
Franz's Patriotism
- Franz developed a strong attachment to his language, nation, and M Hamel due to the Prussian occupation.
The Last Lesson
- The villagers filled the last benches in the classroom to show their respect and appreciation for their language and culture.
The Classroom Scene
- Franz noticed that the classroom was filled with villagers, and M Hamel was writing "Vive la France!" on the blackboard.
The Main Theme
- The main theme of 'The Last Lesson' is the importance of preserving one's language, culture, and national identity.
M Hamel's Character
- M Hamel is a patriotic and dedicated teacher who wants to impart a sense of national pride and love for the French language to his students.
Impact on Children
- The political situation negatively impacted the children, as they were forced to abandon their native language and culture.
Human Attachment
- The story explains how humans tend to develop strong attachments to their language, nation, and culture when they feel threatened or oppressed.
Prussian Conquest
- The Prussian men conquered the territories of Alsace and Lorraine, imposing their own language and culture on the occupied regions.
Explore the character of Franz in 'The Last Lesson' through his traits, actions, and beliefs. Learn about his relationship with his teacher and his approach towards learning. Dive into an analysis of Franz's personality and the impact of historical events on his life.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
