Class 12 English Chapter 1 All Questions and Answers|| The Last Lesson|| The Last Lesson All Questions and Answers||

 The Last Lesson 

Think as you read(page-7)

1. What was Franz expected to be prepared with for school that day?

Ans: Franz was expected to prepared a lesson on participles M.Hamel his teacher had announced that he would question them on participles on that day. Franz did not know even the first word about them. He was expecting a scolding from M.Hamel on that day. Hence, he feared to face M.Hamel and go to school.

2.what did Franz notice that was usual about the school that day?

Ans: Franz noticed something unusual about the school on that day when the school began previously, there used to be a great bustle. The noise could be heard out in the street. The opening and closing of desks and the last lesson repeated loudly in unison made a lot of noise. But on that day everything was still and silent as on a sunday morning. It was quite unusual and surprising.

3. What had been put up on the bulletin board?

Ans: When Franz saw a group of people outside the townhall he realised that another bad news had stucked the place. Reaching school he felt that the news was about the arrival of new German teacher and that French will no longer be taught in the schools had been put upon the bulletin board.

Think as you read(page-8)

1. What changes did the order from Berlin cause in school that day?

Ans: The order from Berlin caused great dismay in the school that day. It upset all the students. M.Hamel the class teacher was greatly agitated. Now, on wards the school of Alsace and Lorraine would teach only German. It was their last lesson in French. From the next day they would be taught the language of their new masters.

2. How did Franz's feelings about M.Hamel and school change?

Ans: Franz's feelings about M.Hamel and school were totally changed now. The order from Berlin aroused patriotic feelings in him. He suddenly develop a strange fascinating for his language and school. His books were his " old friend" now. He suddenly grew respect for M.Hamel. He even forget all about his rular. He also ignore how cranky M.Hamel was.

Understanding the text 

1. The people in this story suddenly realise how precious their language is to them. What shows you this? Why does this happen?

Ans: The order from Berlin impasses German on the French speaking people of Alsace. It makes all the difference. The order arouses patriotic feelings among the people suddenly they realise how precious their language is to them. The people of Alsace were earlier indifferent to their language. But now they develop a new found love for French. M.Hamel goes on to declare that France is "The most beautiful language in the world". It is the clearest and the most logical language. Even the village elders seem to endorse M.Hamel's views. They come and sit there on the backbenches. In this way, they show their respect their language that is their no more. All of them hate the foreign language, German being imposed on the French speaking people. Their patriotic feelings unite them for the cause the French. Even Franz grows sentimental. This is his last lesson in French. He feels sorry for neglecting his lesson in French. Now he develops a carving for French and the teacher who taught it.

Additional Question

1. Draw a character sketch of M.Hamel as it is shown in the last lesson?

Ans: In the last lesson, Alphonse Daudet has presented M Hamel's character with all sympathy and respect. He is presented in the mould or a traditional school master. He always kept his terrible ruler under his arm Mr.Hamel was a hard task-master. We also see the other side of M.Hamel's character after the order from Berlin came. He was a transformed person now. He realised that it was his last lesson in French and the next day a new teacher would replace him. He would teach them in German patriotic feelings were aroused in him. He become extra soft and gentle towards his students. He did not scold Franz for coming late. Nor he us his ruler when Franz got mixed up and confused. He declared that it was his last lesson in French.

           M.Hamel was highly respected both by his students and the village elders. He had served faithfully for forty years in the same school. The village elders came to pay their respect to such a grand teacher.

        M.Hamel loved France and Franch from the care of his heart. He considered French as the most beautiful language in the world. He asked the Frenchman to guard it among themselves and never to forget it.