Linguistic Chauvinism

• The story is set in Alsace and Lorraine after France lost the war to Prussia in 1870-1871.
• As a result of the war, Prussia took control of Alsace and Lorraine.
• For the past two years, Berlin had been sending orders about Alsace, which were posted on the town-hall board.
• Berlin refers to the Prussian government, as it was the capital of the Kingdom of Prussia.

Linguistic Chauvinism

• Linguistic chauvinism is strongly favoring one language over others, thinking it's better.
• The story highlights how powerful countries control and influence others by imposing their language.
• Forcing people to learn a different language hurts their feelings and connection to their culture because language is part of their identity and culture.
• The people in Lorraine and Alsace became victims of linguistic chauvinism and were forced to learn German instead of their own language, French.

Key Characters

• Franz was running late for school and was afraid of being scolded by his teacher, Mr. Hamel, because he had not studied "Participles".
• Mr. Hamel was dressed in his best clothes, which was unusual.
• Some old men were present in the classroom.
• These include Old Hauser, the former mayor, and the former postmaster.
• Mr. Hamel wore his special green coat, a frilled shirt, and a black silk cap with embroidery.
• Mr. Hamel typically wore this outfit on special days like inspections or prize distributions.

Last Lesson

• The Prussians had ordered that no more French be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine and that it was to be their last French lesson.
• After being told this, the students, including Franz, realized the importance of their own language, French.
• Mr. Hamel expressed deep feelings about the loss of their language and culture under Prussian rule.
• The grammar and history books suddenly felt like old friends.
• Mr. Hamel stated that French is the most beautiful, clearest, and most logical language.
• Mr. Hamel wrote "Vive La France" (Long Live France) on the board.
• He dismissed the class saying, “School is dismissed – you may go."
• Franz appreciated his language, his teacher, and his school for the first time, realizing he had taken them for granted.

Q&A from Text

• Before the news that only German was to be taught, the people of Alsace were not particularly eager to learn French and procrastinated.
• Mr. Hamel said, "Bah! I've plenty of time. I'll learn it tomorrow," highlighting the procrastination the town held for learning.
• Parents in Alsace were not anxious enough to have their children learn French.
• Instead, they preferred to send them to work on farms or at mills to earn money.
• Mr. Hamel has admitted his own fault as a teacher by saying, "And I? I've been to blame also. Have I not often sent you to water my flowers instead of learning your lessons? And when I wanted to go fishing, did I not just give you a holiday?"
• Community and the school are responsible for not taking French language learning seriously until it was too late.
• When Franz heard the rule coming from Berlin, he suddenly started liking French.
• Franz said, "Will they make even the pigeons sing in German?"
• The phrase suggests that people can be forced to do things, but not animals.
• Making others do something against their will is treating them like slaves, which is wrong for humans and nature. Berlin ordered every school in Alsace and Lorraine to start teaching their students in the German Language.
• French would no longer be part of the student's curriculum.
• The bulletin board near the town hall was a source of all kinds of information.
• Most of the time, it had been a source of bad news about the lost battle and the orders passed in Berlin.
• After hearing the news coming from Berlin, the French people worried.
• Students and villagers felt scared to learn German and realized they should have taken French seriously.
• Everyone present that day looked serious, even those who had not liked M. Hamel to admire him, and France inspires everyone.
• M. Hamel felt like he was losing his language and was afraid he wouldn't wear his special outfit in school again.
• Despite his sadness, he taught the students to appreciate things before they lose them, or their true value disappears.
• M. Hamel's words that shocked and surprised Franz were: "My children, this is the last lesson I shall give you. The order has come from Berlin to teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. This is your last French lesson".