📘 The Last Lesson
Alphonse Daudet’s short story The Last Lesson is a moving account of how people value their mother tongue and cultural identity only when they are about to lose it. The story is set against the backdrop of the Franco–Prussian war of 1870–71, when France was defeated and the districts of Alsace and Lorraine were annexed by Prussia. The new rulers ordered that only German would be taught in the schools of these regions, bringing an abrupt end to French lessons.
The narrator is Franz, a young schoolboy in Alsace. The story begins with his reluctance to go to school. He had not prepared his lesson on participles and dreaded being scolded by his teacher, M. Hamel. On the way, Franz is tempted to spend the day outdoors, watching birds or playing near the sawmill, instead of facing punishment in class. However, he gathers courage and finally hurries towards school.
On reaching the school, Franz notices an unusual silence. Normally, the school was filled with the sound of children reciting their lessons, the banging of desks, and the teacher’s ruler. But that day it felt like a Sunday morning. Villagers, including old Hauser, the former mayor, and others, were sitting quietly in the classroom. Moreover, M. Hamel, who usually wore his plain attire, was dressed in his best green coat, frilled shirt and black silk cap, which he wore on inspection days. All this surprises Franz until M. Hamel announces the shocking news.
M. Hamel tells the class that this is their last lesson in French. An order has come from Berlin that German alone will be taught in schools of Alsace and Lorraine. The new master arrives the next day. These words strike Franz and the villagers like a thunderbolt. They suddenly realise how precious their language is, now that they are being deprived of it.
Franz is overcome with regret. He remembers how he often wasted his time, played truant, and postponed his lessons. He realises he can no longer learn French. His books, which once seemed a burden, suddenly become dear companions. He develops a deep respect for M. Hamel, whom he had earlier considered strict.
M. Hamel, on his part, speaks with dignity and passion. He explains the importance of holding fast to one’s mother tongue, which he calls the most beautiful, clearest and most logical language in the world. He says that when a people are enslaved, as long as they keep their language alive, they have the key to their prison. His words ignite feelings of pride and patriotism among the villagers and children.
The villagers, who had come to the school as a mark of respect, sit silently and share the grief of losing their language. For years, they too had neglected learning French, but now they repent. The entire class listens attentively to M. Hamel’s heartfelt teaching.
As the class ends, M. Hamel grows emotional. He tries to speak but is choked with emotion. Instead, he takes a piece of chalk and writes on the blackboard: “Vive La France!” meaning “Long Live France!”. These words serve as both a farewell and a symbol of defiance against oppression.
The story is a powerful reminder of the value of one’s mother tongue and cultural heritage. It teaches that language is not merely a means of communication but also a symbol of identity and freedom. Only when deprived of it do people truly realise its importance.
Word Count: ~503