The Last Lesson Overview

A young school student in Daudet's The Last Lesson, who is late for school and scared of being scolded for not knowing his Participles lesson.

A teacher of French language in The Last Lesson. He announces that it's the last French lesson due to the Prussian order.

A notice board where news and communication is posted. It becomes a source of anxiety for Franz as it announces bad news related to Prussia.

In 'The Last Lesson', this refers to a trainee. The blacksmith, while reading the bulletin board, shouts to Franz that he needn't be in a hurry for school.

A lot of activity and noise. The school is usually filled with this in the mornings, but in the story, it's uncharacteristically quiet.

Doing something at the same time. It describes the children in the story, typically repeating their lessons simultaneously.

To hit or strike. This is used to describe the teachers in the story, who typically rap their rulers on the tables.

A sudden, unexpected event. It is used to describe Franz's shock at the news of the last French lesson.

An unhappy or unfortunate event. This is used to describe the situation of the French people under Prussian rule.

In Daudet's story, it describes the change in Franz's attitude towards his studies. He regrets not being more serious and wasting time on frivolous activities.

A serious or formal atmosphere. It describes the mood in the classroom on the day of the last French lesson.

A basic reading book for a language. Hauser brings his tattered one to the last French lesson, demonstrating his love for the language.

Torn and damaged. This describes Hauser's old and worn-out French primer, suggesting he has read it often.

In 'My Mother at Sixty-Six', the poet describes her mother's face as pale and ashen, like that of a dead body.

A short nap or sleep. This describes the mother's state in the poem, sitting in the car and dozing off.

A dead body. The poet compares her mother's pale face to that of a corpse.

A person's face is pale or lacking color. It describes the mother's appearance in the poem, reflecting her age and possibly ill health.

In 'The Third Level', it describes a station that Charley encounters, seemingly from the 1800s, with old features and architecture.

An enclosed space. It describes a quiet passageway in 'The Third Level' that Charley walks through and ends up at the third level.

In 'The Tiger King', it is the title that the Maharaja earns due to his obsession with killing tigers.

In 'The Lost Spring', this describes the pitiful condition of the children who are deprived of their childhood due to poverty and forced labor.

In 'The Lost Spring', this is a metaphor for the garbage, where Saheb, the rag picker, searches for valuable items.

In 'The Lost Spring', it refers to the occupation of making bangles. The children in Firozabad are involved in this labor-intensive work.

In 'Deep Water', it describes the author's fear of water that stems from a childhood incident where he was nearly drowned.

In 'Deep Water', this describes the author's experience of nearly drowning as a child. It left him with a permanent fear of water.

In 'Keeping Quiet', this refers to an act of not speaking any language. It is a call for unity and introspection.

In 'Keeping Quiet', this refers to the people who engage in harmful activities like wars. The poet urges them to stop and reflect on their actions.

In 'The Rattrap', this refers to a small device used to trap rats. It symbolizes the temptations and traps that life presents.

In 'The Rattrap', this refers to a small, wooden cottage where the peddler seeks shelter for the night. It symbolizes the hospitality and generosity of the old crofter.

In 'Journey to the End of the Earth', this refers to the barren and icy continent of Antarctica.

In 'Journey to the End of the Earth', it describes the geological process where a giant landmass splits into smaller continents. It highlights the history of Earth's evolution.

In 'A Thing of Beauty', it refers to the things that evoke joy and pleasure, filling our lives with beauty and inspiration despite suffering.

In 'Poets and Pancakes', it refers to the famous film studio in Chennai (Madras) known for its production of South Indian films. It reflects the world of film-making and the characters who work there.

In 'Poets and Pancakes', a make-up material commonly used at Gemini Studios. It serves as a symbol for the various characters and their roles in the film industry.

In 'Poets and Pancakes', he is a clerk at Gemini Studios with a unique talent. He is known for his helpful nature and his amazing skills in various fields.

In 'Poets and Pancakes', he is a legal advisor at Gemini Studios, known for his involvement in a controversial incident. He is sarcastically named 'the illegal advisor' because of his actions.

In 'Poets and Pancakes', it refers to a political ideology that advocates for equality and the abolition of class divisions. It is contrasted with the capitalist system in the story.

In 'Poets and Pancakes', this refers to a group that promotes moral re-armament. It is presented as a counter-movement to Communism in the story.

In 'Poets and Pancakes', he is a poet who visited Gemini Studios. His visit is shrouded in mystery, eventually revealed to be a famous writer.

In 'A Roadside Stand', it refers to a small shed set up on the roadside by villagers to sell their produce. It reflects the plight of rural people trying to make a living.

In 'A Roadside Stand', this refers to the city people who pass by the roadside stand. They represent the indifference towards the struggles of rural people.

In 'A Roadside Stand', this refers to the innocent villagers who are promised a better life but are actually exploited by the city people for their own gains.

In 'The Interview', this refers to a conversation between a reporter and a celebrity. It is a vital part of journalism but can also be seen as an intrusion into someone's life.

In 'The Interview', it refers to the branch of linguistics that studies signs and symbols. Umberto Eco is an expert on this.

In 'The Interview', he is a writer and professor known for his diverse talents and works, including essays, novels, and academic texts. He is the subject of the interview in the excerpt.

In 'The Enemy', he is a Japanese surgeon who helps an injured American soldier during World War II. This highlights his internal moral conflict and the universal values he upholds.

In 'The Enemy', this refers to the American soldier who is wounded and brought to Sadao's house for help. It emphasizes the theme of humanity and compassion.

In 'The Enemy', this is the Japanese General who is Sadao's patient. The General's patriotic nature and the events surrounding Tom create a conflict of loyalties for Sadao.