[Class 12] FLAMINGO - Chapter 1 - The Last Lesson (Rapid Recall)

The Last Lesson
By
Alphonse Daudet

Rapid Recall

Ø  The story revolves around the protagonist Franz, a student

Ø  Franz does not want to go to school – has not learnt participles – is late

Ø  He is tempted by the warm bright day, the chirping of the birds and the drills of the Prussian soldiers

Ø  He resists the temptation and hurries to school

Ø  On the way he sees a crowd in front of the bulletin board from where they got bad news -
- Lost Battles
- Draft
- Orders of the commanding officer

Ø  Does not stop to read

Ø  Finds the school as quiet as a Sunday morning

Ø  Franz notices changes in the school. The usual sounds that were missing were -
- No bustle
- Opening and closing of the desks
- Lesson repeated in unison by the students
- The sound of the teacher’s ruler rapping on the table

Ø  The teachers attire -
- beautiful green coat
- frilled shirt
- little black silk cap, all embroidered

Ø  Presence of the villagers on the back benches -
- to show respect to their teacher
- to show respect to their language
- to show respect to their country

Ø  M. Hamel informs the students about the order from Berlin – it was the last lesson

Ø  The announcement was a thunderclap for Franz

Ø  Franz’s regret -
- feels guilty
- books no longer a burden
- respects M. Hamel

Ø  M. Hamel does not hold Franz responsible for his poor learning.

Ø  Hamel blames -
- Alsace – habit of procrastinating
- parents – send children to work at farms and mills

Ø  Accepts responsibility himself -
- sent them to water his flowers
- gave them a holiday when he wanted to go fishing

Ø  French language –

- Most beautiful
- Clearest and most logical

- One must guard it
- Never forget it
- Key to the prison

Ø  Last Lesson very effective

Ø  Hamel wanted to give all his knowledge to his students at one stroke

Ø  In forty years nothing had changed for Hamel except -
- Desks had worn smooth
- Walnut trees were taller
- Hopvine that he had planted had reached the roof

Ø  Clock struck twelve
- Class got over
- Prussian army blowing trumpet at the same time was  ironical

Ø  Hamel was overcome with emotion and could not speak

Ø  Wrote Vive La France (Long Live France) on the board

  

Test Yourself

Question: Give a character sketch of M. Hamel
Send your replies to crossroads.meerut@gmail.com along with your Name, School and Mobile Number for free assessment of your preparedness